Texas Online Gambling Laws
Let’s start with the most essential – Texas online gambling remains illegal. This pertains to real-money online casino sites, which, as the name suggests, accept real money in exchange for betting on table games, poker games, slot games, and more.
Many casinos offer table games and betting through roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and other popular games. However, you won’t find the same amenities on the Internet. While other states permit web gambling through regular casino sites, like Bally Casino in New Jersey, for instance, Texas online gambling laws are fairly strict when it comes to online casinos. In fact, online gambling in the state is directly outlawed in the state’s constitution. Article 3, Section 47 of the Texas Constitution directly outlaws lotteries, live dealer games (except for tribal casinos legalized in 1988), and other forms of real money casino sites since placing any bets is illegal.
Section 47.02 of the Texas Penal Code states that anyone who participates in online casino gaming and even bets on the performance of a player or the outcome of a game is committing an offense. In short, online casino Texas sites remain illegal.
How does Texas Regulate Gambling?
Different regulatory agencies currently oversee the laws related to gambling, legal age, the state lottery, and everything in between. The two main forms of gambling in Texas are lottery tickets and betting on horse and greyhound racing.
The Texas Lottery Commission is in charge of overseeing lottery and table games like bingo for charitable organizations. That’s right! While there are no real money casinos or casino apps, there are various charitable organizations that might host table games and bingo raffles, which are legal so long as the funds are going toward donations.
There is the TRC, or Texas Racing Commission, which oversees the laws related to horse and greyhound betting. While there aren’t any Texas casino apps available for gambling, there are various horse racing betting options residents can make use of, but only in person. The state has been generous enough to legalize racing, but it must be overseen by the TRC.
Land-based casinos are currently regulated by the National Indian Gaming Commission NIGC, putting its oversight on the national level. The same applies to those who need help with responsible gambling. If you need such resources, you’ll need to stick with the national helpline since there is no regulatory body for web or in-person gambling yet!