The latter two have been the subject of extensive litigation, with the state arguing that both are illegal.Ĭharitable bingo-constitutional amendment. The Kickapoo tribe has the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass, the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribe (also known as the Tigua tribe) has the Speaking Rock Entertainment Center in El Paso, and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe has Naskila Gaming in Livingston. Each of Texas’ three federally recognized tribes operates a casino.

What forms of gambling are legal in Texas and how were they legalized?Ĭurrently, the following forms of gambling are expressly authorized under Texas law: (1) charitable bingo (2) charitable raffles (3) a state-operated lottery and (4) pari-mutuel betting on horse and dog racing.Īdditionally, under federal law, federally-recognized Native American tribes can own and run casinos on their lands.

Code § 47.02, it is a criminal offense to play and bet for money or other thing of value at any game “played with cards, dice, balls, or any other gambling device.” There is one limited exception to this prohibition in the Texas Penal Code: casino boats may transport passengers into the Gulf of Mexico and operate gambling devices outside the state’s territorial waters (which extend 9 miles from the coastline). Currently, state-authorized methods of gambling in Texas are limited, and the industry is highly regulated.Īrticle III, section 47 of the Texas Constitution affirmatively requires the Legislature to pass laws “prohibiting lotteries and gift enterprises,” providing exceptions for charitable bingo, charitable raffles, and a state lottery, but not for casino gambling. The Texas Constitution has prohibited gambling for most of the state’s history. While the Texas Legislature could try to legalize casino gambling without amending the state constitution, the law would almost certainly be challenged as unconstitutional. Similar bills were filed during the last regular legislative session in 2021, but none gained traction. Among them is SJR 17, which proposes a constitutional amendment to allow casino gambling at a limited number of locations in the state. Texas lawmakers have already pre-filed more than 1,000 bills that they hope to pass in next year’s legislative session.

Gambling laws in texas