Best Texas Online Casinos: Real Money Casino Guide for TX

All gambling-expansion bills failed to pass before adjournment (no new laws enacted).

Senate Bill 517 proposed changes to penalties for gambling offenses, including clarifying definitions around electronic gaming devices (“eight-liners”).

Companion bills HJR134/SJR65 introduced to allow statewide vote on sports wagering and gambling statutes.

Senate Joint Resolution 16 was filed, proposing legalization of casino gaming at destination resorts, authorization of sports betting, and establishment of a Texas Gaming Commission.

The Republican Part of Texas’ 2024 platform formally opposed any expansion of gambling, including casinos and sports betting.

While the bills passed through the House, they did not make it through the Texas Senate. This means that online gambling won’t be revisited until November 2025. Only online casinos based outside of the state are available to Texans right now.

The Texas House of Representatives votes through HB 1942, by a single vote, to permit online sports betting. The bill still faces tough opposition in the Senate. Bill HB 2843 to legalize casino gaming still awaits a vote.

Two separate Texan gaming bills – HB 1942 and HB 2843 – passed through the House State Affairs committee at 9-3 votes. One bill looked to legalize sports betting, while the other looked to permit both sports betting and casino play.

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports betting (PASPA), but Texas did not seek to legalize and regulate the industry.

Texas witnessed a boom in poker clubs and home games of Texas Hold’em, spurred by the popularity of online poker across the world. Televised poker tournaments fueled interest in the game. Legal challenges and court cases followed, with the state authorities insisting poker could not be played.

The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas opened the Speaking Rock Casino in El Paso. The casino operates under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Texans passed Prop 11, which authorized a state lottery in Texas. A year later, the Texas Lottery was established, giving residents the first chance to gamble legally in the state for more than a hundred years.

The Texas State Legislature passed the Texas Bingo Enabling Act – legalizing bingo for charitable purposes for the first time.

Texas’s illegal gambling industry fell apart. Casinos and gambling halls closed, as they were deemed unprofitable and suffered raids from the police. A growing push to enforce anti-gambling laws meant few new establishments could open.

State and federal authorities targeted illegal gambling operations across Texas. The crackdown came alongside a national effort to reduce the rise of gambling dens across the US.

The Texas Racing Act permited pari-mutuel betting on horse racing to raise funds after the Great Depression. It was the first legal form of gambling or betting within the state. The Act was overturned four years later.

The first-ever game of Texas Hold’em Poker was supposedly played at Robstown in Nueces County. A gambler called T. “Blondie” Forbes is said to have created the game in its current form.

The Galveston Era began, allowing gamblers to wager on games of cards and dice in the Free State of Galveston. Illegal casinos, sports betting, and poker games flourished and the city grew. Located outside Houston, Galveston became the epicenter of Texas’ gambling community.

The Texas Penal Code on anti-gambling provisions was enacted. Gambling was outlawed and carried a $1000 fine. However, saloons and bars still offered gambling on their premises.

Boom towns like Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston developed red-light districts, where gambling was rife. Lawlessness led to criminal gangs getting involved in gambling rackets across the state.

Texas became a republic and gambling rapidly expanded as more and more people arrived in the territory. Poker in particular became the game of choice for most gamblers, but the game of Texas Hold’em wouldn’t exist for another century.

Card games, horse racing, and other betting activities became popular in saloons, bars, and brothels in Texas. There was zero regulation of these games, with plenty of pistols held under tables while dealers handed out cards.

The Texas Lottery Commission is responsible for overseeing lottery operations in the state and promotes responsible gambling practices. They provide resources and information on their website to help players play the lottery responsibly and recognize problem gambling signs. It’s a great resource and players can use it for more than just tackling problem gambling with the lottery.

This Texas branch of Gamblers Anonymous offers support and resources for individuals who have a gambling problem. They have local meetings in many areas, including Austin, Dallas / Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston, where individuals can share their experiences and find support from others facing similar challenges.

Though not specific to Texas, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is an organization that offers resources, support, and a helpline for those struggling with problem gambling. They can help connect you with local resources and support groups. There is also a helpful page for finding problem gambling resources in Texas.

Helpline: 1-800-522-4700

The Counseling and Mental Health Center at the University of Texas at Austin has a useful resource for spotting problem gambling signs. You can call 512-471-3515 for information and to set up a talk with a counselor. And you can phone the CMHC Crisis Line (dial 512-471-CALL) for a telephone counselor.