Texas Online Poker Law
Although there are no Texas laws that allow online poker, it looks like Texans will be able to play online poker sooner rather than later. Texas appears to be facing poker sensibly, and with online poker bill among two other poker-related bills submitted in 2013, Texas is on the verge of a poker boom.
Online-poker-playing Texans also have an supporter at a federal level in Rep. Joe Barton, who is pushing for national online poker legalization with his awesomely named Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2013.
Houston poker player Michael Eakman is one of several Texas entrepreneurs who believe they have found a way to conduct legal gambling on poker at restricted private clubs. The strict gambling laws are a strange phenomenon for the state which lends its name to the most popular form of poker in the country – Texas holdem. This all stems from Penal Code 47.01, which is the statute making gambling illegal throughout the state. Texas is one of the largest states in the United States by both land mass and population, and many of its residents are interested in Texas online poker.One thing it's not known for though is its gambling despite a long and distinguished history of cowboys and outlaw behavior as well as the fact that the most popular version of poker, Texas Hold'em, gets its name directly from this state. In Texas, there have been a couple of attempts in recent years to make online poker legal. It was back in 2012/2013 that the state Senator Rodney Ellis introduced casino bills that had the provision of legalizing poker.
This is the bill that all online-poker-playing Americans should hope makes it to the president’s desk, as it would make online poker legal in the United States. States would have to option to opt out and prevent its citizens from playing online poker. As of late 2013, the bill remains in committee.
The state-level online poker bill, House Bill 3529, sponsored by Republican State Rep. John Kuempel, makes sure Texas doesn’t opt out of the Internet Poker Freedom Act if it ever makes it through Congress. This could be seen as a bill of support for Barton’s efforts, and basically says Texans will be able to play online poker if the federal government says so.
Conservative Gov. Rick Perry, one of the main faces of Republican Party, may be an obstacle to the bill. In 2009, Perry put pressure on legislators and helped snuff out a bill that would have allowed the states seven horse tracks and dog tracks to spread poker.
The other bill that legislators will consider is the Poker Gaming Act of 2013, which again tries to legalize poker at the state’s tracks and one Indian casino. The Texas Lottery Commission would oversee the industry, if passed. It remains in committee.
The third poker bill introduced in 2013 would allow poker tournaments at charity events.
Texas Senators only meet every two years — the odd-numbered years — so they cannot act only any of these bills until 2015, unless Gov. Perry opens a special session specifically to vote on any of these bills, which only he can do.
It’s hard to imagine Gov. Perry would not allow Texans to play online poker if his fellow Texan Republican’s Internet Poker Freedom Act manages to wiggle through the most dysfunctional Congress in recent history.
There are no bills currently in committee that make online poker legal for Texans, and won’t be until Senators get back together in 2015.
When Will Texans be Allowed to Play Online Poker?
![Texas Texas](https://www.flushdraw.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/hawaii.jpg)
If Barton’s Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2013 makes it through in 2014 — a highly optimistic thought — Texans may be able to play in that year or 2015. But without a federal law, online poker legalization must come within the state. The Texas legislature may be willing to act on an online poker bill in 2015 after watching other states get into the online poker game. If not in 2015, the lawmakers will surely try again in 2017. It’s seriously hard to imagine that online poker wouldn’t come to Texans by 2018.
Recent Action
A user registered for wait list from PokerAtlas at 500 Club
JerryIdect joined PokerAtlas from Axum, Ethiopia, Ethiopia
A user registered for wait list from PokerAtlas at Casino Copenhagen
A user registered for wait list from PokerAtlas at Casino Copenhagen
Recent Reviews
Are we missing something?
Gambling Laws in Texas: When and Where Texans Can Gamble
- June 14, 2017
- The Law Office of Greg Tsioros
- Comments Off on Gambling Laws in Texas: When and Where Texans Can Gamble
Online Poker Laws By State
U.S. Gambling Overview
Americans have embraced gambling by for centuries. Before our country fought the Revolutionary War, settlers enjoyed European card games and participated in simple lotteries. As the country grew, gambling halls and saloons were gathering places. In the 20th century, local, state, and the federal government got involved. Some states sought to restrict gambling activities while others legalized gambling. Today, many states have brick and mortar casinos, sports betting outlets, lotteries, and race tracks.
Nevada (Las Vegas) was the first to legalize many types of gambling in 1931. New Jersey (Atlantic City) followed decades later in 1977. With the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988, reservations throughout the U.S. were permitted to offer gambling and gaming to generate revenues. To complicate things a bit, the Federal Wire Act of 1961 limited sports wagering between the states.
Online gambling has caused the states to review their positions on online casino games, including video poker, baccarat, roulette, keno, blackjack, faro, slots, craps, etc. If you’re accused of a gaming or gambling crime, or another party has offered illegal gambling in Texas, contact an experienced criminal attorney now.
When and Where is Gambling Legal in Texas and Throughout the U.S.
Gambling is legal for those who are 21 years of age or older at Eagle Pass in Texas (Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino). People in Texas can also legally participate in the Texas Lottery or make pari-mutuel wagers on greyhound and horse racing. Raffles, charitable bingo, and pull-tab bets are also considered legal in Texas.
In comparison, some states allow 18-year-olds to gamble. Today, Alaska, Arkansas**, California (some locations), Connecticut***, Delaware (horse racing only), Florida**/***, Idaho, Indiana**, Louisiana**, Maine**, Maryland**, Minnesota**, New Mexico, New York (by casino), Ohio**, Oklahoma (by casino), Oregon***, Pennsylvania**, South Dakota ***, Washington** (some casinos), Wisconsin***, and Wyoming allow some gambling to 18-year-olds. Are there casinos in atlanta.
**Pari-mutuel wagers only (short duration events, such as horse racing, jai alai, or greyhound racing, or any event with ranked order participation)
***Bingo only
***Bingo only
All other states require gamblers to be at least 21 years of age. It’s impossible to get around the age requirement at brick and mortar casinos. If you attempt to gamble before you’re 21 years old, you may be arrested, incur fines, or have your money confiscated by law enforcement.
![Texas online poker law Texas online poker law](https://www.legitgamblingsites.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/horse-race-bettting.jpg)
The point of confusion for many would-be gamblers concerns online gambling. For instance, there may be a difference in the age required by the site and the age required by Texas to gamble. If the site says you can gamble at age 18 but Texas state law requires you to be at least 21 years old, you must comply with Texas state law. Don’t risk jail time and fines for gambling or gaming arrests.
Texas Gambling Laws
Texas gambling laws are some of the strictest in the nation. For instance, Texas Hold ‘Em card game bets are illegal in Texas. Gamblers must be 21 years old. They may be on greyhound or horse racing, social gambling (like office pools), charitable raffles, and bingo. The law says that gambling on other games of chances is against the law in Texas.
Under Code Section PEN 47.01 et seq. and Civ. St. 179e, gambling, or agreeing to win or lose money or something of value based on chance, or keeping a casino (other than one casino on Indian lands) is prohibited. Promoting any form of gambling (other than pari-mutuel wagers), maintaining a place of gambling, communicating information about gambling, or owning gambling devices are illegal in Texas. For that reason:
• Card games, sports bets, and scratch tickets (other than those legally offered by the Texas Lottery) are illegal.
• Casinos, other than Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino, are illegal in Texas. As a casino on native lands, the Lucky Eagle location is permitted.
Droidhen Games
• Social gambling, like bingo games, private card games, or charity auctions are allowed unless the organizer takes a portion of the proceeds. The law in Texas says that gambling may occur in a private place as long as the chance of losing and winning are evenly distributed.
• Slot machines with cash payouts are illegal in Texas. If the prizes are inexpensive and not cash items, such as a coffee pot, the law says it’s okay to play.
Poker Laws In Texas
Slot Machines with Cash Payouts Are Illegal in Texas
State Of Texas Poker Laws
According to a New York Times article, illegal slot machines are cropping up around Texas, especially in some Rio Grande Valley border towns. The problem has captured the attention of enforcement professionals of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It’s estimated that illegal slots machines generate approximately $1.9 billion per year (up to 150,000 illegal units).
Recognize that gambling at slot machines with cash payouts can mean arrest and legal consequences in Texas. If you or someone you know has been arrested for illegal gambling or gaming in Texas, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney at your side. If you or a loved one has been exploited because of gambling addiction in Houston, Harris County, or throughout Texas, you need a professional attorney to assist in the recovery of your money now. Don’t go it alone. Call Greg Tsioros to discuss your matter now at 832-752-5972 now. We’re standing by 24/7 to take your call.