• Gaming License For Texas
• Texas Gaming Law
• Can You Gamble In Texas
• Is Bingo Illegal In Texas

Texas’ two casinos are both Class II properties. That means they can only host Class II games. This is a category of game based on the rules of bingo. These are usually skill games, and most of the time they require that the player make an additional “skill spin,” in order to meet the requirements for legal gaming in Texas. Experts from GamingLicensing can help you get the Curacao license quickly and hassle-free. This will allow you to post desktop and mobile versions of bingo games, take legal bets from players, control your online business from anywhere in the world, as well as use multi-currency and multi-language systems. Gaming licenses are issued by special commissions called gambling commissions. It is in their jurisdiction to issue gambling licenses, regulate online gambling, and decide which gambling companies are eligible to obtain a license based on their business conduct and codes of practice. What are the basic requirements imposed by gambling commissions? Gambling in Texas is defined as an “agreement to win or lose something of value solely or partially by chance,” and the Texas Attorney General’s Office made it clear in the early nineties that this also applies to internet games.

• Casino Gambling: Legal
• Poker: Legal
  (restrictions apply)
• Horse Racing Betting: Legal
• Dog Racing Betting: Legal
• Lottery: Legal
• Daily Fantasy Sports: Not Specified
• Charitable Gaming: Legal
• Social Gambling: Legal
  (restrictions apply)
• Online Gambling: Not Specified

Gaming License For Texas

Texas gambling law is among the strictest in America. This has to do with tradition, mostly. Texas was settled largely by people with no strong cultural tradition of gambling. In the German-settled areas of Texas (including the present-day capital of Austin), the only form of gambling known was microstakes poker. Unlike parts of New England, there’s no amount of legal gaming in Texas’ history.

When Texas converted from a Union democrat to a conservative Republican state in the 1970s and 1980s, the state’s tendency to shy away from gaming grew into a matter of policy. That being said, some policy changes involving gambling law in the Lone Star State have been successful. Texas is home to one of the most profitable and popular state lotteries. Other big changes in Texas allowed for the opening of not one but two casino-like businesses.

We dug through Texas’ criminal and penal codes and put together some facts about the state’s complex gambling law. We’ve also included some resources for people who want to do some research on Texas gaming law on their own.

Texas has come a long way in terms of the freedom to gamble. Just a few decades ago, Texas didn’t have a lottery, had no charitable gaming laws, no allowance for social gambling, and no casinos. Besides pari-mutuel wagering (and a massive underground illegal sports betting and poker network), Texans had no way to gamble. Fast-forward to today, and Texas is now home to two Class II casinos, a powerful and well-attended lottery, a carve-out for charitable bingo and raffles, and a loophole that sort of (kind of) makes home poker games legal.

Texas Gaming Law

Before we dig too much deeper into Texas’ gaming laws, let’s look at some key stats and information about the state’s gaming industry.

• Age Requirements: 21
• Approximate Annual Gambling Revenue: n/a
• Approximate Annual Gambling Taxes: n/a
• Number of Commercial Casinos: 0
• Number of Racinos: 0
• Number of Tribal Casinos: 2 (class II only)
• Casino Regulatory Body: Texas Lottery
• Lottery National Rankings: 4th

Can You Gamble In Texas

Over the past thirty years or so, chaos has reigned in the Texas legislature. This once proud Union democrat state has been totally overtaken by the Tea Party and the religious right. Gaming laws have changed so much in the past few decades, the state’s gaming laws are all but unrecognizable. They’re also difficult to dig through. Below, you’ll find our analysis of the current state of gambling law in Texas. Remember that we aren’t lawyers and we don’t intend this as legal advice. If you need legitimate legal advice about Texas gambling, consult a Texas lawyer with experience in the gaming business.

Is Bingo Illegal In Texas

• Eight Liners Operate On The Edge Of State Law. A New Bill Would Give Communities Regulatory Options

  This 2019 article from the Texas Standard discusses the fuzzy grey area that allows eight-liners to operate in Texas. The article also discusses a bill that was introduced but ultimately failed to pass during the 2019 legislation that would have given cities and counties the ability to decide whether to allow eight-liners in their jurisdiction.
• Bingo, Raffles, Gaming Rooms and Other Gambling Issues Under Texas Law [PDF]

  A 2019 publication created by the Texas Association of Counties addressing certain exceptions to the general prohibition against gambling including game rooms, eight-liners, bingo and fantasy sports. It also discusses Texas counties' authority to regulate businesses that offer these services.
• Legal Q&A: Eight-Liners [PDF]

  This 2016 publication from the Texas Municipal League answers common questions regarding 'eight-liners'.
• 8-liners in Texas: Still Illegal

  A 2016 publication from the Texas District & County Attorneys Association discussing the controversy of 8-liners and the difficulties that arise for law enforcement when attempting to enforce the law.