Are Poker Rooms Legal in Texas?

In the state of Texas, gambling is illegal. However, there are a few loopholes that allow for poker rooms to operate legally.

For example, social gambling is allowed as long as no one is making a profit from it. This means that if everyone playing in a poker room is paying an equal buy-in and taking home winnings based on their performance, the poker room is legal.

PRO TIP:Texas has specific laws that allow certain types of poker rooms and gambling activities. Poker rooms are legal in Texas, but only if they operate under the auspices of a licensed racetrack or in accordance with state-sanctioned charitable gaming laws. It is also important to note that online poker is not currently legal in Texas.

Another exception to the gambling lAWS in Texas is for charity events. If a poker room is run as a fundraiser for a 501(c)(3) organization, it is considered legal.

However, the organizers must apply for and receive a gambling license from the state in order to operate.

So, while there are some legal poker rooms in Texas, they are few and far between. If you’re looking to play some cards in the Lone Star State, your best bet is to find a home game or head to one of the many casinos just over the border in Oklahoma or Louisiana.