Is Online Poker For Real Money Legal In Texas? What Bettors Must Know

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Poker is one of the most intriguing kinds of casino games available today. According to statistics, hundreds of millions of casino players worldwide love and play this game, with a significant part of that number residing in the United States.

However, it is no secret that online gambling, especially poker, is bounded by the laws and legislations of individual states. While some states permit online poker gambling in their territories, others don’t. So, this brings us to the status of the game in Texas. Savvy gamblers are conscious of the laws in each state to avoid getting in trouble. So, is online poker for real money legal in Texas, and what are the crucial things every player must know about gambling for profit in Texas poker rooms online?

In this article, we’ve outlined all you need to know before heading out to gambling on any poker site within the state. You’ll see what laws govern the various kinds of betting and confirm if gambling in the prestigious state is legal.

Is Online Poker Legal in Texas?

Online poker gambling in Texas — as well as most other states in the US, isn’t yet legalized or regulated by the state government. Currently, only six states in the United States have legalized and are regulating online poker. These states include:

1. Nevada
2. Delaware
3. New Jersey
4. Pennsylvania
5. Michigan
6. West Virginia.

Currently, Nevada runs the only interstate deal among Delaware, New Jersey, and Nevada with 888poker. However, it doesn’t seem like the status of online poker in Texas state would change anytime soon.

Why Do I Find Diverse Online Poker Sites in Texas?

Suppose you’re a resident of Texas state and encounter some poker sites while browsing the internet or on social media platforms; you might be confused going by the legal status. Don’t be puzzled. Notably, most of these platforms are probably authentic and may even carry very similar names to the popular ones you’ve heard.

The truth is you will probably see tons of online poker sites in Texas since you have access to the internet. These poker sites are offshore sites that offer you the chance to play the game you love on their platforms. This is how many gamblers like you in the state get access to online poker services.

However, while you may see various poker rooms in the online sphere, you need to be careful of the portals you register with. There are many scam sites out there, and it will be best if you confirm the authenticity of the platform before signing up.

What are the Texas Poker Laws?

Despite a poker game named after the state (Texas Hold ’em), Texas isn’t a welcoming environment for various online betting. The state’s law is extensive and declares that most gambling isn’t legal in its territory.

The law states that gambling as a result of games, political contests, and contest participants is illegal and against the law. Asides from that, the TX government doesn’t welcome the concept of bargaining compacts with Native American Tribes residing in the state. There are currently three federally known groups in Texas. However, only the Kickapoo Nation has successfully established a pact for betting and created a legitimate casino establishment.

The other two groups — Alabama-Coushatta and the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo, have attempted to create locations on tribal lands but haven’t succeeded much.

Currently, the Alabama-Coushatta runs a gaming center — Naskilla Gaming Center around Livingston. However, it’s currently undergoing an unfavorable court battle concerning staying long-term in the building. The other group — the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo, is running bingo betting on tribal lands, but in a smaller capacity.

TX state allows games of luck to be played under certain circumstances. The players play in a closed, private environment.

They include; except luck or skill are involved, every player’s chance of losing or winning remains the same. Except for winnings, nobody profits any cash.

The growth of cardrooms across Texas is because of the poker rooms’ efforts to comply with the law by following these conditions. Notably, the clubs charge their customers a state fee for the time spent in the buildings, as the cardroom operators can’t confirm that they’re making profits off the game. Yet, the state legislature has declined to legalize the game within Texas.

What are the Current Texas Gamble Laws?

Presently, the possibility of the state government enabling online poker gambling doesn’t seem like a plan happening anytime soon. The last significant effort to regulate gambling within the state was in 2013.

It occurred when a bill was introduced in the capital. While sports betting in the Lone Star state is already regulated and legalized, casino betting and other kinds of betting face a severe obstruction in accessing permission to operate within the state.

Conclusion

While Texas is one of the most original states with a history in poker gambling, it now appears to be a shadow of itself. Most forms of gambling aren’t accepted in the state, except for sports betting and some specific kinds of traditional gambling.