Texas Gambling Commission – Laws, Games & Gambling
Our article will turn your attention to the Texas gambling legislation and answer the question is there a Texas Gambling Commission? Furthermore, we have provided brief information about the legal gambling games in the Lone Star State and what other gambling options players have.
Who Regulates Gambling in Texas, USA?
To answer this question, we will give details about the current texas gambling laws and the organzations that regulate all gaming activities in the Lone Star state. In the element below, you can find the main sections of this article. Follow them to learn more about the Texas Gaming Commission, the legal games, and where you can gamble in Texas.
Texas Gambling Laws – History & Present Day
Before we go into details about the status of the Texas Gaming Board, we will tell you a bit more about the current gambling laws. First of all, we must inform you that Texas has strict gambling laws and is still one of the most conservative and backwards states in the USA regarding legalising gambling.
A Brief History of Gambling in Texas
This information may contradict the Wild West stories we have heard of and seen in movies. Indeed, saloons, gambling rooms, and gaming everywhere where liquor is served were common in the Lone Star state for centuries. The authorities banned gambling in the 1920s as part of the Prohibition law applied in the USA. This was the time when multiple illegal gaming establishments thrived.
In 1933, Prohibition bans were waved, but the Lone Star state chose to stay gambling-free. Almost a century later, the situation is still the same. Anyone who engages in illegal gambling activities is considered a felon and may face a fine or more severe penalties. Even ads for international gambling sites and gaming are considered an illegal action that is punished.
Texas Gambling Laws Today
Present-day Texas laws dealing with gambling-related matters are state legislation, federal laws, and tribal laws. Depending on the legal authority and gambling game, there is a different controlling commission. We will go into detail on the matter in the next section of the article. Now, here are the main Texas gambling laws:
- ⚖️ Texas Constitution (Article 3, Section 47) gives definitions of gambling, illegal gambling, gambling crimes, and more basic information.
- ⚖️ Texas Occupations Code (Chapters 2001), also called the “Bingo Enabling Act”, governs all bingo-related matters, including games, bingo rooms, licensing requirements, operators, and more.
- ⚖️ Texas Occupations Code (Chapter 2153) regulates coin-operated machines and eight-liners.
- ⚖️ US Code Federal Law (Chapter 53, Subchapter IV in Title 31) is also called the Federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.
- ⚖️ The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) regulates the tribal gaming and gambling establishments in reservations and on Native American land.
Multiple operators, organizations, and individuals are trying to change the Texas legislation so that the best online casinos for US players can offer their games to Texans. The Texas Gambling Bill 2021 is the latest legal update yet to be discussed and passed.
This bill is backed by the Las Vegas Sands and aims legalization of casino gambling in Texas. If the changes are approved, there will be grounds for creating a Texas Gambling Commission and issuing licenses to multiple operators, including the federally recognised Native American tribes.
Texas Gaming Commission in the Making
Anyone interested in gambling in the USA knows that the New Jersey Casino Control Commission and the Nevada Gaming Commission have lots of work. Unlike those liberal in terms of gambling states, there is no Texas Gambling Commission because only a few wagering games are legal.
There are suggestions for changes to the gambling legislation and creating a Texas Gaming Board, which will do the same duties as the Washington State Gambling Commission and similar authorities. The latest suggestion is the Texas State Gaming Commission Amendment (2015), which also included changes in the Texas Constitution.
If the changes are approved, the casinos and sports wagering will become legal. Until the law changes are in power and a state of Texas gaming commission is established, the gambling-related matters are dealt with by:
- 🎱 Texas Lottery Commission
- 💗 Charitable Bingo Division
- 🏁 Texas Racing Commission
- 🦅 Kickapoo Gaming Commission
Those commissions listed above regulate gambling in brick-and-mortar locations. When a Texas Gaming Commission is created one day, its duties may change slightly. We listed the legal games you can enjoy in the Lone Star State in the next section. We also mentioned the illegal games you should stay away from.
Legal & Illegal Gambling in Texas, USA
The lack of a gaming commission in Texas does not mean a full ban of games or bets. The situation may not be as liberal as at the top online casinos in New Jersey, USA, but there are many legal wagering games and prize-winning competitions Texans and state visitors can participate in. Check the information below, and don’t forget to always play at licensed and regulated venues.
Legal Games in the Lone Star State
The list of legal games in Texas is longer than the one of the illegal games. Each of those games is regulated by one of the gaming authorities we mentioned in the Texas Gaming Control Board paragraph. Now, here are the games you can enjoy in Texas gaming locations:
| 🃏 Gambling Game | ✨ Legal Status |
|---|---|
| ♠️ Poker | Many private poker clubs in Texas offer the most popular poker games. Those establishments are under debate because the owners charge membership fees and dues, but the authorities are worried that they also take a percentage of the pot. You will not get in trouble with the authorities for playing at a poker club, but make sure that it is legit and no one is cheating on you. |
| 💯 Social Gambling | Social gambling is legal as long as there are no monetary or other prizes or underage players. There is no age restriction for social gaming. |
| 🧸 Eight-Liners (Game Rooms) | Eight-liners are slots-like game machines found in the game rooms. Those amusement games are legal because they offer only non-cash prizes with a value lower than $5. |
| 🎁 Charitable Gambling | All types of charitable games and raffles are legal when performed by non-profit organizations and regulated by the Texas Lottery Commission. The Bingo Enabling Act legalized the bingo and pull tabs. The Charitable Raffle Enabling Act regulates the raffles per calendar year and demands their profit go for charitable causes. Only players above 18 years of age can participate. |
| 🎱 Lottery | The Texas State Lottery was legalized in 1992 and is regulated by the Texas Lottery Commission. Players of legal age (over 18 years old) can purchase a ticket at an authorised and licensed retailer. Some of the games are scratch tickets, Texas Two Step®, Powerball®, Mega Millions®, Lotto Texas®, and many more. |
| 🐴 Horse & Grayhound Races | Horse races and greyhound race betting have been a popular legal entertainment in Texas since 1933, and the Simulcast wagering became legal in 1991. The Texas Racing Commission states that the bets must be placed only in person and at licensed tracks. Popular horse racing locations are Lone Star Park, Retama Park, and Sam Houston Park, while the greyhound track is Valley Race Park. |
| 🏆 Daily Fantasy Sports | In 2019, the Daily Fantasy Sports became legal after a vote of the Texas House. Since this is one of the freshly legalized gaming activities, it is recommendable to play only at established and legit operators. |
It is not clear how the monitoring and management of those games will change with creating a Texas Gaming Control Board. However, it is clear that the Texas Gambling Commission would strictly monitor the underage gambling and problem gambling operators’ policies. If you are wondering, the same applies to the best online casinos in Pennsylvania and the rest of the gambling operators in the United States.
Illegal Gambling Games in Texs
The list of illegal games in Texas is significantly longer than the legal ones. Since there is no legislation, casino games or sports betting are illegal. Once the Texas Gambling Commission is established, those wagering activities will fall under its authority. Until then, players are advised to stay away from slots, roulette, blackjack, and any kind of other casino games.
When it comes to sports betting, the last attempt to legalize it was in 2021. Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Star, and the Texas Rangers are a few of the many professional sports teams that supported the legalization changes. Still, even so, the bill did not receive enough support. The next attempt is postponed for 2023, and maybe then it will finally be approved, and there will be a gaming commission in Texas.
Texas Gambling Commission & Other Gambling Establishments
Besides the land-based gambling locations in Texas, there are many other fun options. We selected a few suggestions that are perfect for different types of players. What is equally strong for the gambling locations below is that they guarantee unique gambling experiences:
- 💻 Online Gambling: the lack of Texas online gambling laws means that even if there were a state Texas gaming commission, it would not be able to regulate online gaming. This situation is not as dire as it sounds. Players can register at offshore gambling sites or at the casinos based in other states.
- 🦅 Native American Casinos are exceptions to the gambling laws of Texas. The Naskila Gaming (Livingston), Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino (Eagle Pass), and the Speaking Rock Entertainment Center (El Paso) are the tribal casinos open for all visitors. There, anyone of legal age can play many casino games.
- 🛳️ Riverboats & Casino Cruises are the last alternatives for players. Those options are for players on vacation or taking a long weekend. The nearest riverboats are on the Mississippi River, and the cruise ships leave from many ports around the Mexican Gulf.
As you can see, there are many options for fun and wagering in the Lone Star State. Once the laws are changed, and the Texas Gaming Control Board is established, there will be a greater diversity of online and offline gambling entertainments. Until then, Texans and their guests will have to satisfy with the available games.
Texas Gambling Commission Q&A
This last part of this article dedicated to the Texas Gambling Commission is answers to a few important questions. The busy readers who head for the FAQ section first will find brief but concise answers to vital topics and links to the relevant sections in this article.
1️⃣ Is Texas a gambling state?
Texas is one of the many states where not all gambling games are legal. Even so, there are many gaming locations where players can wager and win prizes. In this article you can find a Texas Gambling Commission summary and information about the current and future legal situations in this state.
2️⃣ Will Texas legalize casinos?
According to the current Texas gambling laws, casinos and sports betting on the territory of the Lone Star State are illegal. There are many supporters of amendments to the gambling laws that will allow the establishment of a Texas Gaming Commission and legalize casino games and sports wagering.
3️⃣ Who supervises the gambling activities in Texas, USA?
Currently, there is no Texas Gaming Control Board or Texas Gambling Commission because according to the laws the casinos and sports betting are not legal. All other legalized games are supervised by the Charitable Bingo Division, Texas Lottery Commission, Texas Racing Commission, and the Kickapoo Gaming Commission for the tribal casinos.
4️⃣ What kind of gambling is legal in Texas?
In our article, we dedicated an entire section to the legal and illegal games in Texas. The raffles, bingo, horse races, and greyhound races wagering are open to all players at legal age. Players will have to wait to play casino games and sports betting until the laws change and the Texas Gaming Board comes to life.
5️⃣ Is there idian gaming in Texas, USA?
There might not be a state of Texas gaming commission, but the Native American tribes have the Kickapoo Gaming Commission to oversee the three casinos located on tribal land. Check out the other gambling opportunities in Texas section for more details on gambling online and on cruise ships.