Texas is one of the strictest states when it comes to gambling and its laws can cover a wide variety of activities. Under Texas law, (Penal Code §47.02) gambling is considered a criminal offense if someone:
Gambling Is it Time for Texas to Expand its Gambling Laws? Casinos across the border are swelling with cash, while our state’s regulations choke out incremental progress. Legalizing casino gambling in the state of Texas would enhance society and will be beneficial for the entire state.
- makes a bet on the partial or final result of a game or contest or on the performance of a participant in a game or contest
- makes a bet on the result of any political nomination, appointment, or election or on the degree of success of any nominee, appointee, or candidate; or
- plays and bets for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, balls, or any other gambling device.
The law does provide for some exceptions such as participating in the state lotteryor placing bets on horse and greyhound dog races (sometimes referred to as pari-mutuel wagering). The law also provides for some affirmative defenses to prosecution:
- the actor engaged in gambling in a private place;
- no person received any economic benefit other than personal winnings; and
- except for the advantage of skill or luck, the risks of losing and the chances of winning were the same for all participants
Additional exceptions include if the person reasonably believed their conduct:
- AUSTIN (KXAN) — Previous efforts to legalize casino gambling in Texas have fallen short. But with the state facing a dire economic outlook imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, and a billionaire.
- Texas is very big, so these three casinos may be very far away from you if you live in the state. There is Naskila Gambling, located in eastern Texas in Livingston. About an hour north of Dallas is the WinStar World Casino and Resort located just over the Texas border in Oklahoma, where casino gambling is legal.
- By Jacob Asmussen December 10, 2020 The billionaire owner of the largest casino operator in the world has his eyes set on the state Capitol in Austin, hoping to convince state lawmakers to legalize casino gambling in Texas.
- was permitted under Chapter 2001, Occupations Code; (Charitable Bingo)
- was permitted under Chapter 2002, Occupations Code; (Charitable Raffles)
- was permitted under Chapter 2004, Occupations Code; (Sports Charity Raffles)
When Will Texas Legalize Gambling
The first page of this guide will provide you with an overview of the Texas laws on gambling while the subsequent pages will discuss more specific topics like bingo, eight-liners and poker.