Texas Casino & Gaming

Comprehensive information on Texas Gaming,z
including issues & legislation both "for" & "against" legalized gambling.

(This site is "Under Construction". Please check back often for many new features, coming soon!)

Casinos & Gambling in Texas

In general, "Las Vegas style" casino gambling is illegal in Texas. (Depending on your personal point of view, this may be viewed as either "good news", or "bad news".)

Every few years, bills legalizing casino gambling are introduced to the Texas State Legislature. So far, all such legislation has been defeated, but proponents continue to lobby for the adoption of a more permissive gaming law.

However, for those who do enjoy recreational wagering, here are some alternative ways to legally gamble in Texas:

 

Horse Race Tracks

Houston - Sam Houston Race Park
Selma (near San Antonio) - Retama Park
Grand Prairie - Lone Star Park
Fredricksburg - Gillespie County Fairgrounds
Manor (near Austin) - Manor Downs

 Dog Race Tracks

Corpus Christi - Corpus Christi Greyhound Race Track
LaMarque (just south of Houston) - Gulf Greyound Park
Harlingen - Valley Race Park 

Cruise Ship Gambling

Texas Treasure Casino Cruise Ship - Sails from Port Aransas, TX

Sailing daily for six-hour trips offshore, this ship's casino offers 400 slot machines and more than 20 table games.

Texas State Lottery

Private lotteries are, in general, not legal in Texas (or most other states). However, the State of Texas has given itself the power to conduct a lottery. A wide variety of Lotto type tickets are available at thousands of locations, including nearly all convenience stores and gas stations.

Bingo

Texas has laws regulating the operation of Bingo games, where money or valuable prizes are distributed. Many churches and community organizations host Bingo games. These charity or "nonprofit" games are sometimes run by licensed commercial Bingo operators who provide equipment and personnel, as well as handling the licenses & paperwork. B

Private Casino Parties (NOT gambling for cash)

There are numerous party companies that will setup a small casino for a special event at your home. As such parties are "for entertainment only", no cash prizes are awarded.

Typically, each guest receives a stack of play-money to use at the various tables during the evening. Such events are fun, but not really "gambling".

These services are often listed in phone directories under "Parties", or "Party Rentals".

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Also, just across the eatern Texas border, Louisiana has many gaming destinations that are popular with Texans.

Louisiana Gambling Facilities

- Riverboats - approximately 24 locations around the state

For Texas residents, Lake Charles, LA. is the closest & most popular location offering full casino-style "Riverboat" gambling.

- Land-based Casino - New Orleans

- Slot Machines - Indian Reservations, also many locations such as truck stops.

- Horse Racing - Pari-mutuel betting at several Louisiana race tracks.

A note of caution, regarding Online Gambling:

Virtually every type of gambling for money (or valuable prizes) is regulated by some government body. Many forms of gambling are illegal, and a few others are "borderline".

Internet gambling in the USA is restricted by law, and further legislation is currently being considered by the US Congress. If passed, this legislation would make most kinds of Internet gambling illegal, with possible exceptions for horse racing and state-run lotteries.

One should be very cautious about gambling over the Internet. Some forms of Internet wagering are clearly illegal. And you have to wonder, how can you verify the honesty of a "virtual casino"?

It is no coincidence that most Internet gambling sites are located outside of the USA, often in small "tax-haven" nations. Many of these overseas operations operate anonymously, avoiding both taxes and recourse by unhappy customers.

It is always a good idea, for any kind of monetary transaction, to be certain that you can locate & identify the parties you are dealing with, as well as determine what recourse you might have in the event of a transaction that goes bad. Of course, this is true of all Internet activities; including services, shopping, and.. gambling.

Disclaimer & Comments:

This information on this site is intended to be informative.

While we believe this information to be reasonably accurate at the time of posting, everything changes with time. Especially laws!

No legal expertise or authority is claimed by the publisher. If you are uncertain about the legality of any activity, always check with local law enforcement authorities, or your own lawyer, before participating.

It is not our intention to recommend participation in gambling activities to anyone. Such a decision should be an informed personal choice, within the bounds of the law.

If you are an adult, and do participate in wagering, it is always a good idea to do so in moderation, and always in a safe & legal venue.