Online Gambling in Texas - Casino & Sports Betting

Texas, also known as The Lone Star State, is a hub of American culture and patriotism. It is one of the largest states in the country and home to millions of people. Gambling online in Texas is not allowed yet. Legislation is often changing, so gamblers are responsible for ensuring that the activities they engage in are legal and safe.

This article gives an overview of the different regulations regarding the various forms of gambling available in Texas so that you can decide what to play and what feels comfortable for you.

Texas has a tightly restricted legal gambling environment. The only fully authorized forms of gambling are the state lottery, pari-mutuel wagering at racetracks, and charitable raffles/bingo under strictly defined conditions. All other forms—including online casinos, mobile sports betting, physical casinos, and online horse wagering—are illegal. Oversight is provided by the Texas Lottery Commission, Texas Racing Commission, and governed under the Texas Penal Code, Occupations Code, and Constitution.

Online Casinos

Online real-money casino gaming—including slots, table games, or poker—is illegal in Texas. The Texas Penal Code (Chapter 47) prohibits gambling devices and unlicensed games of chance, and the Constitution bans lotteries outside specific exemptions.

• Status: Illegal
• Date of Authorization: N/A
• Law: N/A
• Official Link: N/A
  

Online Sports Betting

Online—and mobile—sports betting are illegal in Texas. The Texas Penal Code Chapter 47 prohibits all forms of betting on contests, including online, without specific legislative authorization.

• Status: Illegal
• Date of Authorization: N/A
• Law: Penal Code Chapter 47 (Gambling)
• Official Link: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/pe/htm/pe.47.htm
  

Physical Casinos

There are no legal commercial or tribal casinos in Texas. Possessing, promoting, or operating casino equipment or venues is a class A misdemeanor or felony under Penal Code Chapter 47.

• Status: Illegal
• Date of Authorization: N/A
• Law: Penal Code Chapter 47 (Gambling promotion/device offenses)
• Official Link: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/pe/htm/pe.47.htm
  

Horse Racing

Pari-mutuel wagering on horse and dog races is legal, but only in-person at licensed racetracks. Online or simulcast wagering is not permitted. Regulations are codified under the Texas Racing Act, Occupations Code Chapter 2027.

• Status: Legal (in-person only)
• Date of Authorization: April 1, 2019 (modern codification)
• Law: Occupations Code Chapter 2027 (Texas Racing Act)
• Official Link: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/OC/htm/OC.2027.htm
  

Lottery

The Texas Lottery is authorized by the Texas Constitution (Article 3, Section 47) and enabling statute. It allows only retail ticket sales—no online purchases.

• Status: Legal (retail only)
• Date of Authorization: 1992 (constitutional), 1993 (statutory)
• Law: Texas Constitution Art. 3 § 47 and Bingo Enabling Laws
• Official Link: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CN/htm/CN.3.htm#3.47
  

Charitable Gaming (Bingo, Raffles, Pull-Tabs)

Limited charitable gaming is legal under the Charitable Raffle Enabling Act and Bingo statutes. Qualified nonprofits may conduct up to four raffles annually, and charitable bingo is permitted with local authorization and license.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: 1999 (raffles), 1976 (bingo)
• Law: Occupations Code Chapter 2002 (raffles); Constitutional §3.47 exemptions
• Official Link: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/OC/htm/OC.2002.htm
  

Overall Comment

Texas maintains one of the strictest gambling regimes in the U.S. The only permitted forms are lottery, on-track pari-mutuel racing, and qualified charitable raffles/bingo. Online casinos, sports betting, and physical casinos are banned under Penal Code Chapter 47 and require constitutional amendment and legislative action to change.

Online Casino in Texas

Although the Texas Penal Code covers many gambling laws, it doesn’t mention online gambling. Online casinos are not legal when they operate from within Texas boundaries. Texan citizens can place bets in other states while residing in The Lone Star State. Nevertheless often unsafe, and we do not recommend this.

Sports Betting in Texas

Although Texas citizens can bet on offshore sportsbooks, Texas itself does not have any legal, regulated online sportsbooks.

If in-person betting ever becomes allowed at the land-based casinos, then online betting based out of Texas will also be allowed.