- Legal Poker Rooms In Dallas Today
- Legal Poker Rooms In Dallas
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VIP Poker Club is a private, members only club dallas poker club. We’re also rake and tip free, which means the whole pot is up for grabs! Come experience the convenience of a professionally run, local game of poker. Finally a LEGAL poker club in Dallas I was there for the grand opening this past Saturday, and I was really impressed with how clean the room was. The owner, I think his name was Carl, was really inviting and took the time to explain the way everything worked.
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Last Updated February 5, 2021
Poker wouldn’t be poker without Texas. After all, without Texas, we’d all just be playing plain old hold’em. Without Texas, we wouldn’t have some of the game’s most enduring legends, such as Doyle Brunson, Amarillo Slim, and WSOP founder Benny Binion.
No-limit Texas Hold’em made Texas an indelible part of poker. Card players in the Lone Star Star love poker, both in land-based casinos and online poker. This page discusses the Internet poker rooms available to Texas poker players in this Guide to Playing Online Poker in Texas.
If you came here looking for how to play online poker in Texas or the tips on the best Texas poker sites, we suggest you read our real-money poker guide.
Current Updates for TX – Laws, Legislation & House Bills
Poker players have fought for legalized poker for years, whether in Texas online poker rooms or in brick-and-mortar establishments. In 2012-2013, Senator Rodney Ellis introduced casino bills that included the legalization of poker, but Ellis received no support from his fellow lamwakers.
Since then, Texan entrepreneurs took the initiative. Private poker clubs have popped up around Texas, mostly in large cities like Houston and Dallas. Players don’t pay a rake or tournament fees. Instead, they pay membership or entrance fee, similar to a country club. The clubs make money from membership fees, seat rental fees, and food and beverage sales.
Poker clubs operate in a grey area. Local law enforcement shut down some poker clubs, but some in other towns remain open and assert their rights legally. A court ruling might decide the law, as the legislature won’t legalize Texas poker anytime soon.
AG Ken Paxton Dithers on Live Poker Rooms
The most recent news out of Texas is that Attorney General Ken Paxton will not be issuing any type of decision regarding the live poker rooms. State Representative Geanie Morrison formally asked Paxton if poker rooms that charge membership fees but don’t charge rake permitted are legal. Paxton officially refused to answer. A spokesperson for his office said that it is a legal matter being litigated in the courts, so courts should resolve the issue.
In 2018, Attorney General Ken Paxton said he would not issue any type of decision regarding the live poker rooms. State Representative Geanie Morrison formally asked Paxton if poker rooms that charge membership fees — but don’t charge rake — are permitted under the current law. Many state lawmakers have been asking the same question, but Paxton officially refused to answer. A spokesperson for his office said that the courts should resolve the issue.
Texas Poker Clubs – A Legal Gray Area
Poker clubs around Texas continued to operate as usual until May 1, 2019.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office and Houston Police Department coordinated to raid the two largest poker clubs in Houston on May 1. Nine owners and managers from the Post Oak Poker Club and Prime Social Poker Club were arrested and charged with money laundering as a part of engaging in organized crime activities. The two clubs’ bank accounts were also frozen and all funds seized. District Attorney Kim Ogg said, “Poker rooms are illegal in the state of Texas.”
Interestingly, however, all charges were dropped in July. All money was returned. The DA’s office commented that the dismissal of charges was the result of “multiple potential conflicts of interest” within her office. It seems that a contract employee of her office also worked for a law firm that tried to extort money from the two poker clubs while conducting an investigation of them. Said law firm – Jones Walker – then became the target of a lawsuit by Prime Social in early September.
Latest Texas Sports Betting Bills
Texas Rep. Eduardo Lucio introduced Texas House Bill 1275 and Texas House Joint Resolution 61 to the House in February 2019. HR 1275 would regulate land-based sports betting and impose a 6.25% tax. HRJ 61 would let Texans vote on a constitutional amendment to legalize sportsbooks through a statewide vote.
| Type/Code | Summary |
| State Code Section(s) | PEN.10.47; CIV.6 |
| Definition of Gambling | A person commits an offense if he makes a bet on the partial or final result of a game or contest or on the performance of a participant in a game or contest; makes a bet on the result of any political nomination, appointment, or election or on the degree of success of any nominee, appointee, or candidate; or plays and bets for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, balls, or any other gambling device. |
| Definition of Gambling Device | Any electronic, electromechanical, or mechanical contrivance that for a consideration affords the player an opportunity to obtain anything of value, the award of which is determined solely or partially by chance, even though accompanied by some skill, whether or not the prize is automatically paid by the contrivance. The term includes, but is not limited to, gambling device versions of bingo, keno, blackjack, lottery, roulette, video poker, or similar electronic, electromechanical, or mechanical games, or facsimiles thereof. |
| Definition of Bet | An agreement to win or lose something of value solely or partially by chance. |
| Online Poker/Gambling | There have been no proposals in the state legislature that would legalize online poker or internet gaming of any kind. |
| Live Poker | The live poker offered at cardrooms in major cities in Texas advertise as membership club. No rake is taken from the poker games, though there are fees to enter or belong to the clubs. So far, there have been no court decisions that have closed these poker rooms. |
| Casinos | There are no casinos in Texas, though cardrooms exist as entertainment venues. |
| Sports Betting | HR1275 and HJR 61 would regulate Texas sports betting. |
| DFS | A proposal to legalize daily fantasy sports was proposed in 2017, but died in committee. |
| Other Forms of Gambling | Horse and greyhound racing, on-track pari-mutuel betting, lottery, social gambling, bingo and charitable gambling, contests of skill. |
Texas Gambling & Poker Laws Summarized | |
Texas Daily Fantasy Sports Laws – Is It Legal?
In January 2016, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that daily fantasy sports gaming was illegal in Texas. FanDuel announced it would no longer offer games to Texans after May 1, 2016. DraftKings filed suit in a Texas court, asking the court to rule DFS legal. That court case has not been resolved yet.
8-Liners in Texas Towns
One other oddity exists on the Texas landscape. Under Texas State law, the gaming machines called 8-Liners or “maquinitas“ are legal if local municipalities approve them. and the owner does not pay winnings in cash. Winners are paid in store credit, gas, or groceries. Despite that limitation, 8-liners generate $5.4 billion in revenues each year.
8-Liners create a problem for local law enforcement. Business owners often pay cash for winnings, which is illegal. Just in the past 3 years alone, Texas law enforcement has raided 8-liner operations for illegal cash payments in the following cities: San Antonio, Poth, Athens, Cap City, Eustace, Seven Points, Tool, Gun Barrel City, San Benito, Rio Grande City, La Joya, Cameron County in the Rio Grande Valley, and McAllen.
Texas Poker Sites – Where to Play Online Legally?
Most Texas poker players drive to Oklahoma or Louisiana to gamble. Several of the largest casinos (by gaming space) in the world are located an hour north of Dallas: Winstar Casino in Thackerville and Choctaw Casino in Durant, Oklahoma. The casinos in Bossier City and Shreveport, Louisiana also get most of their business from Dallas-Fort Worth.
Texans who want to know the closest card room should read our list of real money poker rooms.
Is Online Poker Legal in Texas?
As a rule of thumb, a poker site that accepts American players will also accept poker players from Texas. It’s NOT illegal to play online poker in Texas. In fact, unlike Washington, Texas poker players can legally play on offshore poker sites, like Bovada. The only illegal activity is owning or operating a poker room.
The rooms we’ve listed above are Texas-friendly, but they’re far from the only online poker rooms where Texans can play real-money games. Read through our list of online poker — Texas exists in a gray area, but Texans can play at most US-friendly sites.
What Forms of Gambling Are Legal in Texas?
Poker players are naturally curious about whether or not playing poker for real money online is legal under Texas law. Offering legal advice is not a function of this website (nor of anyone beyond legal professionals), but we can help you sort through the fundamentals of poker laws in Texas.
What counts as gambling in Texas?
Legal Poker Rooms In Dallas Today
The definition of “bet” (Section 47.01(1)) is short and sweet – it’s when you enter into an understanding “to win or lose something of value” in an activity that involves chance. Specifically, the winning or losing must occur “solely or partially by chance.” The definition includes the phrase “partially by chance,” so a bet is anything with any element of chance. The definition of “gambling device” (Section 47.01(4) clarifies the law further.
Making illegal bets is a misdemeanor in Texas (Section 47.02). Those who break the law could face a half-dozen separate charges. Gambling promotion (Section 47.03) is a misdemeanor, and covers operating, promoting, processing bets and selling lottery chances. Possession of Gambling Device, Equipment, or Paraphernalia (Section 47.06) is also a misdemeanor.
Will Texas Regulate Internet Poker?
It’s unlikely Texas will regulate online poker. Texas proponents of land-based casino gambling faced a long fight in the past. Texas online poker is even further away from approval.
Texas Gambling Facts
Texas regulates lottery betting and pari-mutuel bets on racing, and charitable gambling (raffles and games of bingo).
Tribal gambling is complicated. Naskila Gaming at Livingston owned by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino at Eagle Pass, and Speaking Rock Entertainment by the Tigua Tribe of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo each operate casino gaming. All three tribes are embroiled in multi-year legal battles with the state of Texas.
Purely social gambling in a private place or regulated gambling activity is legal, if the house makes no profit.
All Poker and Gambling Laws by State
News in the online realm of the gambling industry regarding billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson typically revolves around his avid dislike of online gambling. The idea of online casino games has inspired him to spend tens of millions – at a minimum – of dollars to fight it from the
Read Full- July 11th, 2018
Poker rooms operating in Texas have no plans to shut down. They believe in their right to operate enough to take it to the courts if they must. The loopholes in the law, in addition to the antiquated laws surrounding poker in Texas, may be challenged in just that way,
Read Full - May 8th, 2018
Poker players in Texas know how to find games. Whether they travel to neighboring states that allow casinos and card rooms or locate underground games closer to home, there are ways to play poker. Some have found a different avenue. With some legal advice and personal determination, a number of
Read Full - October 20th, 2017
Texas is one of the few states in America that does not permit poker rooms, clubs, or games with any type of money involved. Despite the global popularity of Texas Hold’em, the state itself has yet to consider any true poker legalization measures. Only one casino operates in Texas, and
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Texas’ Forms of Regulated Internet Gambling
This is a much shorter list, as the state of Texas does not regulate any form of online gambling activity. As noted in our earlier section discussing the likelihood that Texas will regulate online poker, there’s almost certainly quite a bit of daylight between now and a time when Texas is issuing licenses to online gambling operators.
Additional Research on Texas Gambling
Texas Tribune: Gaming/Gambling. Dedicated section from the Texas Tribune covering all in-state gaming and gambling issues. Includes news and interviews with major industry players.
Senator Rodney Ellis . Internet home of Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston), the driving force behind a proposal that would allow voters to decide whether or not to bring casinos to Texas.
Texas Lottery . Official website for the state lottery of Texas contains winning numbers along with a wealth of historical and statistical data about the lottery.
Texas’ and the History of Poker
It’s hard for a state to be any more integral to the game of poker than Texas. After all, the state name is right smack at the start of what is by far the most popular format of modern poker: Texas Hold’em. The “Godfather” of poker, Doyle Brunson, is still better known to some poker fans as Texas Dolly. The subject of one of the most epic poker matches (and stories) in history – Andy Beal – is (you guessed it) a card-carrying Texan. We could go on.
Poker is now by and large an underground activity in Texas, so the state doesn’t get the same spotlight as your Las Vegas or your Atlantic City. But we can guarantee that if the same laws existed in Texas as Nevada, you might quickly see the center of the American poker universe gravitate a bit closer to the Lone Star State.
Sources & Citations For This Article on Texas Online Poker
| $3000 Bonus | Accepts Visa, Bitcoin, Mastercard, Bank Wire | |
| Bovada Poker | $500 Bonus | Accepts Bitcoin, Visa, Bank Wire |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsbetting.ag | $1000 Bonus | Accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Visa, MasterCard, Money Transfers, Bank Wire |
| BetOnline Poker | $1000 Bonus | Accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Visa, MasterCard, Money Transfers, Bank Wire |
| Intertops Poker | $1000 Bonus | Accepts Bitcoin, credit cards (MasterCard, Amex, Visa), money transfers |
I remember in the late 1990s and early to mid-2000s, I used to play poker at a lot of the underground poker rooms in Dallas. Many of them had been in business for years. At some point, though, they started getting raided by the cops.
This continued until all the places I knew about had been closed. I vaguely understood that there were underground casinos in Dallas, too, but I didn’t play at any of them. I know that many bars and gas stations had the equivalent of slot machines – in Texas, they’re called 8-liners.
At one time, most of the mid-sized cities had even opened up so-called “game rooms” featuring these 8-liners. Most of them are now closed, too. The only one I ever played in with any regularity was in Farmersville.
It was fun, but you couldn’t win real cash there. You could only cash in points for merchandise, most of which looked like it had been bought on sale at Dollar General. I remember gardening tools and a 6-pack of canned corn.
And it made me wonder why the Texas gambling scene doesn’t have real casinos.
In this post, I’m going to delve into that subject a little more.
Texas Has Strict Gambling Laws
The main reason Texas doesn’t have casinos is because casino gambling – all types of casino gambling – are illegal in the state of Texas. In fact, Texas has some of the strictest gambling laws in the country.
This all stems from Penal Code 47.01, which is the statute making gambling illegal throughout the state.
The only exceptions are bets on dog and horse racing.
Not only that, but the law specifically enumerates which gambling activities are illegal in the state.
Which Types of Gambling Are Illegal in Texas?
If you’ve read any of my previous posts, you already know that gambling has any number of subcategories. The state of Texas agrees. After all, they’ve enumerated and listed the specific types of gambling which are illegal throughout the state.
The first kind of gambling that’s illegal in Texas is the casino game. Any kind of game played in a casino is illegal in Texas, and this includes real money blackjack, craps, roulette, slots, and video poker. This also applies to online gambling, although I’ve never heard of anyone getting in trouble for playing online casino games.
The only exception is if you’re on Native American land. I’ll have more to say about this later in the post. Stay tuned.
Sports betting is also illegal, with the exceptions of betting at the dog track or the horse track. Betting on sports is punishable by a $500 misdemeanor fine. It applies to online as well as in-person or over-the-phone betting.
This didn’t seem to slow down any of the bettors at my local bar who placed wagers with their local bookie.
Texas also has laws related to so-called social gambling. This is how Texas categorizes bingo games or charitable raffles.
These activities are legal when operated for the benefit of charities in the state. Otherwise, they’re illegal.
Strictly speaking, it’s even illegal to play in a friendly home poker game.
What About the Lucky Eagle Casino?
If you’ve heard of a Texas casino called the Lucky Eagle Casino, then you’ve found one of the rare exceptions to the statement that there are no casinos in Texas.
The Lucky Eagle Casino is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., and they stay open until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday night.
They have over 1200 slot machine games, but they also offer table games including blackjack, craps, roulette, and even keno. They have over 55,000 square feet of casino space with both smoking and non-smoking sections.
I saw no mention of baccarat on their site, but I suspect baccarat isn’t a big draw in Texas.
Lucky Eagle also hosts bingo games in their event center except on Friday and Saturday night.
The keno lounge offers multiple keno games, including speed keno and 50 cent keno.
Why is the Lucky Eagle Casino allowed to operate in Texas?
They’re a Native American casino, owned by the Chehalis Tribe, which has a compact with the state government allowing them to operate.
What About Naskila Gaming?
Naskila Gaming is another notable exception to the “no casinos in Texas” generality. It’s another example of a Native American casino. They’re owned by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe.
They’re located on the Indian reservation near Livingston, Texas, and they’re open 24/7.
They only offer Class II slot machines, and they have about 800 games to choose from.
Naskila Gaming also has multiple restaurants onsite, including a Nathan’s Hot Dogs and a Mexican café. They even have a grill serving traditional American fare.
There’s some controversy related to whether they’ll be able to continue operating in Texas. If you visit their website, you’ll see notices asking their patrons to support HR 759 to keep them open.
HR 759 intends to clarify that Naskila Gaming IS acting legally because they’re on tribal land.
Texas has three Native American tribes that are legally recognize by the federal government. The Kickapoo Tribe is the only one currently allowed to offer Class II gaming.
HR 759 aims to correct that inequity. And, just to be clear, it doesn’t make it legal for Naskila Gaming to offer blackjack, craps, or roulette. They must stick with the electronic bingo gambling machines.
The legislation also authorizes the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribe to offer gaming on their reservation.
What About Casino Cruises?
One way casino companies circumvent casino gambling laws is to offer casino gambling on cruise ships. These ships generally go out far enough in the water to get outside the jurisdiction of the state where they’re docked. Several casino cruises are available from Texas ports.
These include Carnival Valor Casino, Carnival Breeze Casino, Carnival Freedom Casino, and Jacks or Better Casino.
The last time I went on a casino cruise, I played Texas holdem the entire time.
It’s common knowledge among those in the know that the slot machine payback percentages on casino cruises are lousy.
Where Else Can You Gamble in Texas?
You’re legally allowed to bet on dog racing and horse racing in Texas. You must do so from the site itself, though. You have the following tracks to choose from:
- Gulf Greyhound Park
- Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie
- Sam Houston Race Park
- Valley Race Park
Of these, the only one I’ve visited was Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie. They have no casino facilities, but there’s enough horse betting action here to keep even the most avid action junkie entertained for hours (or days).
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie
Admission to Lone Star Park is only $5, and the gates open at 5 p.m. The first race is run at 6:05 p.m.
They offer stakes races where they’ll either add money to the prize pool or they’ll have a minimum guaranteed prize pool.
Like a casino, Lone Star Park has a rewards program. It’s comparable to a slot machine players’ club at a casino.
You earn a point for every dollar you wager, but you also get additional points by placing wagers with the self-serve facilities. You also get two bonus points per dollar by betting on Lone Star Park and Remington Park races.
When you spend money at the concessions stand or in the gift shop, you get a point for every dollar you spend. You can redeem these points later.
They have a variety of rewards available, but you can get an idea of what the points are worth by looking at the vouchers and food and beverage credits.
You can cash in 10,000 points to get a $10 food and beverage credit.
Legal Poker Rooms In Dallas
You can also cash in 20,000 points to get a $20 mutuel voucher. The ratio is the same for $50 and $100 vouchers, which would require 50,000 points and 100,000 points each.
Texas Poker Rooms
I should point out that only a handful of gambling activities — including blackjack, poker, and sports betting — offer the opportunity to get a mathematical edge. Betting on horses – if you’re good at it – also offers that opportunity.
Legal Poker Rooms In Dallas Pennsylvania
Conclusion
I’m not sure who said there are no casinos in Texas. There are at least two, and more depending on whether you count the racetracks and cruises.
You also have any number of businesses offering the equivalent of slot machine games called 8-liners.
I think the state government should go ahead and legalize and regulate gambling throughout the state. Right now, they’re just leaving all that revenue on the table.