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PTLegal Texas Online Poker Sites
Texas is one of those US states left untouched by the recent gambling legislation, in this guide find out the Legality of Online Poker in Texas
Texas is one of those US states left untouched by the recent gambling legislation happening across the country. It remains true to its strict principles regarding the ban of almost all gambling activities, including poker. Considering that Texans haven’t passed any laws permitting land-based poker, it’s easy to guess that online poker in Texas doesn’t stand a chance either.
Yet, poker-playing optimists from the Lone Star State who couldn’t bear to be deprived of exciting poker nights claim you can still have fun with cards in the state.
Is Online Poker Legal in Texas?
Texas gambling regulations cover many forms of gambling, most prohibited in the state. However, back in the day, when these laws were written, no one even thought of online poker or online gambling in general, which is why there’s no specific mention of this activity in the state’s legislature.
This gap has placed Texas in the so-called gray area for online poker. However, even though the legality of the game can be interpreted differently, you’ll still find no legal online poker rooms in the Lone Star State. The only state-approved online options that offer poker variants are sweepstakes and social casinos, which don’t exactly accept classic real-money bets like regular online gambling hubs.
Due to the unclear online gambling laws, poker-hungry Texans have found a way to satisfy their needs for the game, and they do it by visiting offshore online casinos and poker rooms. The law cannot penalize players for enjoying a poker game on websites regulated outside the state as long as they are of legal age for poker in Texas. Therefore, offshore sites have opened up their gates for players from Texas, and we took the liberty of listing the top operators on our page.
TX Poker Laws
No matter how much we’d like to interpret laws the way it suits us, remember that this is a highly sensitive matter that requires a professional opinion.
In case you’re interested in a further analysis of Texas poker laws, check the list below:
- Texas Penal Code, Chapter 47
- Article 3, Section 47 of the Texas Constitution
- Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 234, Subchapter E
- Federal Laws: Chapter 53, Subchapter IV in Title 31 of the U.S. Code (2)
Best Legal Poker Rooms in Texas
Despite harsh poker laws, players from Texas can still have some fun within their state’s borders. Read on to discover the best online and land-based options for playing poker in the Lone Star State.
Legal Online Poker in Texas
We already discussed the complicated matter of poker legislation in Texas in the previous paragraphs. Consequently, Texas’ legal policy results in the absence of any state-licensed online poker rooms.
This leaves Texans with two options for playing poker on the web — sweepstakes or social casinos and offshore online casinos and poker rooms. In recent history, no one made a big deal out of playing online poker on websites licensed in jurisdictions outside Texas borders, and numerous players have been choosing this option repeatedly.
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Legal Land-Based Poker in Texas
Remember how we’ve told you that Texas gambling laws are strict? They are so stringent that they don’t even allow commercial land-based casinos on the state’s land. The only legal brick-and-mortar gambling establishments in Texas are two tribal casinos. What’s more, they only exist because the National Indian Gaming Commission and Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) regulate their operation.
That said, Texas seems to have many poker rooms that found a loophole in the law, which allows them to offer poker games without any issues. With poker being practically illegal in the Lone Star State, poker room operators created membership-based clubs where you can play the game exclusively and according to some specific house rules.
You won’t find a classic pot from which the top players get their share in these poker rooms. Instead, all players pay the club a membership to participate in poker games, which can be a monthly or hourly fee for a seat.
How to Register on a Legal Online Poker Site in Texas
Should you decide to give some casinos from our list a try, you’ll have to create an account on the chosen platform. The registration process is easy and fast so that everyone can complete it successfully.
If you need help, here’s a step-by-step guide:
Choose A Poker Room
Scroll through our list of top-rated online poker rooms and find the one you’d like to join.Signup
Go to its official web page and click on the registration button.Complete the registration form by providing all the relevant details.
Deposit & Play
Log in and make your first qualifying deposit.Claim the welcome bonus, pick a poker game you’d like to try, and have fun!
TX Land-Based Casinos With Live Poker
Texas has two legal tribal casinos, but only one offers live poker. The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas owns this establishment and, aside from poker and casino games, also offers accommodation and dining options:
- Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino (Eagle Pass, TX) — 794 Lucky Eagle Dr, Eagle Pass, TX 78852
Additionally, you can play poker in many Texas card rooms, such as:
- The Lodge Card Club — 1401 S IH-35 Frontage Road, Suite 130, Round Rock, Texas
- Texas Card House Dallas — 11834 Harry Hines Blvd, #135, Dallas, Texas
- Texas Card House Houston — 1411 Spring Cypress Rd, Spring, Texas
- Alpha Social Card Club — 105 E Scott Ave., Wichita Falls, TX
Other Resources
Final Thoughts
Ambiguous US gambling laws are always hard to decipher, and online poker laws in Texas aren’t an exception. The legality of online poker in the Lone Star State is an excellent example of vague gambling regulations. Players turned this to their advantage and started visiting offshore sites for some poker sessions.If you want to follow their example, you can find the best operators on the market at the top of this page. You’ll get to learn how it is to play real money poker without leaving the comfort of your home.
FAQs
Is online poker legal in Texas?
Texas is one of the strictest states regarding gambling, and its laws don’t allow online poker. Nevertheless, the law doesn’t explicitly prohibit online poker, so some Texans consider the game in the gray zone.
What poker sites are legal in Texas?
Since online poker isn’t exactly considered legal in Texas, there are officially no legal poker sites operating in the Lone Star State. However, many players believe that online poker falls under the gray area, as it isn’t specifically addressed in Texas legal books. That said, many poker fans regularly visit offshore gambling sites and play poker there.
What is the legal age for playing poker in Texas?
Players from Texas who wish to take part in poker games have to be at least 21.