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Guide to Online Casinos in Texas: The Best Texas Casino Sites for 2024
By Jessica Whitehouse,Editor at online-gambling.com
Jessica Whitehouse
Editor at online-gambling.com
| Online Casinos | Legal Since: |
|---|---|
| Online Slots | Illegal |
| Online Roulette | Illegal |
| Online Blackjack | Illegal |
| Live Casino | Illegal |
The Lone Star state has a long and tumultuous history with gambling, but what’s the current status of Texas online casinos? With one of the largest populations out of any state in the nation, and a local economy that is home to 54 Fortune 500 companies, commercial casinos are desperate to establish an online network within the potentially lucrative market. But there are many obstacles to overcome before that will be possible. We look into more details throughout this review, explaining the very unique political dynamic in Texas, the historical milestones, and the culture of gambling that goes back several centuries.
- The NBC and the Click2Houston are our top resources which we use to provide you with valuable industry news.
- Being experts in online casinos isn’t our only strong side, as we also have materials related to video poker and an online roulette guide.
- Since we make sure to be legally corect, we also use info from the movements of the Texas State Legislature and the The Texas Tribune for more detailed changes in the legislature.
Available Casino Games in Texas
In Texas there are several options for users to play online casino. Firstly, although the law of the Lone Star State prohibits local vendors establishing their own online platforms – residents across the entire country can access “off-shore” casinos. These are particularly handy if you live a long way from the tribal lands where fully licensed brick and mortar casino locations have been established. To play online in Texas is outside the remits of Texas law, it is unregulated, but you won’t be breaking any specific law. The games below are fully accessible at a network of online casinos located around the United States and abroad.
- Roulette: play online with “off-shore” vendors, or head to tribal owned casinos.
- Blackjack: you can enjoy America’s favorite card game in the reservation casinos.
- Craps: a classic game where you can roll the dice and try your luck.
- Texas Hold ‘em: the classic poker game is playable at the reservations or “off-shore” online platforms.
- Baccarat: the popular casino game can be enjoyed in multiple locations and at online casinos.
Biggest State Land-Based Casinos
The land-based casino industry in Texas is limited to the tribal reservations, as the state have not allowed commercial interests to compete against them. With this monopoly over the casino market, the Texan gambling economy is thriving relative to many neighboring territory’s. With such a huge population, a strong economy, and many active ports of interest – the tribal reservations see plenty of gamblers cross into their lands to gamble huge sums of money throughout the year. Below you can see the top five locations for enjoying the real-life casino experience in the Lone Star State.
- River City Game Lounge: 6565 Babcock Rd #24, San Antonio, TX 78249
- OK Gameroom: 205 W 42nd St, Odessa, TX 79764
- Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel: 794 Lucky Eagle Dr, Eagle Pass, TX 78852
- Prime Social Poker Room: 7801 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77063
- Grinders Social Club: 17774 Cypress Rosehill Rd suite #1300, Cypress, TX 77429
History of Casino Gambling in Texas
Texas is a state that is steeped in tradition, evident when taking a closer look at their gambling laws. Until the late 20th century, gambling in Texas was completely illegal, similar to many other neighboring state back at in that period. But as time has passed, business interests have begun to place pressure on state lawmakers to relax these restrictions, and it is happening slowly. Many forms of gambling are legal in the Lone Star State, but opportunities to do so are extremely limited. The law gets very restrictive when it comes to online gaming. Let’s take a look below at the key milestones that have led the state down the path it is currently on. At the moment, Texas lags far behind other states that offer many legal gambling sites to their residents.
| Year | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 1871 | Early settlers in Texas are prohibited from gambling. Card rooms were becoming increasingly popular during these formative years, and in an apparent crackdown from the religious wing of the local government, all such activity is outlawed. | |
| 1933 | The Lone Star state finally concedes a bit of ground on the issue of gambling. Pari-mutuel betting, that is gambling on an event like horse racing, greyhounds or any contest where the outcome is ordered – money is collected in a pool and then distributed to the winner at calculated odds determined by the amount in the pool. | |
| 1971 | In a dramatic backtrack on the values that helped gambling creep into society in regulated forms, the Texas legislature outlaws all forms of gambling. | |
| 1989 | After years of resistance and campaigning from the more liberal minded members of the State Legislature, Texas approves a constitutional amendment that legalizes charitable gambling. | |
| 1990’s | Several huge casinos are built along the Texan border in neighboring Oklahoma. As laws are less restrictive, Oklahoma is able to tap into the massive market of wealthy gamblers that reside in Texas. |
Casino Gambling Age in Texas
Gambling in Texas is restricted to individuals over the age of 21 years. This protection is in place to stop the spread of irresponsible gambling, and protect minors from the devastation of gambling addiction at a young age. In the below sections we explore the legality and age limits of several vices available to Texas residents.
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Online Casino AgePlaying at online casinos located in Texas is in violation of the state law. However, many residents play at “off-shore” casinos where the ages limit is 18.
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Alcohol AgeDrinking alcohol in Texas is restricted to the same accord as the national age limit. United States residents must be 21 years and older to consume alcohol.
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Weed AgeCannabis in Texas is illegal for recreational use. Even in small quantities (up to two ounces) you can be charged with a class B misdemeanour and sentenced to 180 days in jail.
Responsible Gambling and Addiction Prevention
The state of Texas has not imposed any sweeping gambling legislation yet. In brief periods throughout its history it did seem that gambling would be legalized, but the conditions were never completely right for lawmakers to take that plunge. Unlike many other states where gambling is illegal, Texans have direct access to many casinos right on their border. Oklahoma tribal reservations touch the northern border of the Lone Star State and offer some fantastic venues for gambling. With these licensed and regulated venues offering necessary help for addicted players, and enforcing responsible gaming practices, it is a testament to the good that resides within the industry.
Can I Play Without Deposit?
Playing without a deposit at any online casino is something that is not regularly offered. In Texas, online casinos are illegal, but it is not illegal for a resident to go on their computer and play at the many hundreds of “off-shore” casinos that accept US customers. Within this ecosystem of unregulated casinos you may find some that are willing to offer free trial funds, or no deposit bonuses. But be aware, playing at an operator outside the legislation of your own state carries unique risks of its own.
Upcoming Casino Regulation and Expected Changes
The consensus in Texas is that it is about time to address the issue of millions of dollars flowing across their borders each month into the casinos conveniently located right on the edge of its territory. Due to the lack of many land-based gaming options in Texas many turn their attentions to online casinos. Despite it being illegal to host your own casino in Texas, no specific law exists prohibiting access to them. This state of limbo won’t continue forever, and advancements in the legal framework following the watershed Supreme Court decision in 2018 will certainly lead to a regulated online casino and sports betting industry in Texas. As always, time will tell how and when this will pan out.
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Jessica Whitehouse is among the professional online-gambling.com editors in charge of ensuring that our readers get the best and most reliable news and details from the online gambling world. Her focus is on blackjack and roulette reviews, lottery, and more.