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What are your options as a Texas online casino player? If you’re a resident of TX, you may want to know whether you can bet on casino games. Before you start, it’s best to know if the Lone Star State has online gambling laws. That’s one of the things we’ll help you find out in this article. 

Suppose you want to try your hands at sweepstakes casinos; that’s also an option for you. Keep reading to learn about real money online gambling in Texas, the best places to play, and lots more. 

🔑 Key Takeaways

  • Learn the position of Texas law regarding real money casino games.
  • Discover some of the biggest land-based casinos in the Lone Star State.
  • Find out how the 2026 elections can change the situation for casinos in Texas.

Are Real Money Online Casinos Legal in Texas?

Real money online casino Texas sites are not permitted in the famous state. According to Section 47.02 of the Texas Penal Code, it’s a legal offense to play and bet money on any game involving cards, dice, balls, or other gambling device.

In summary, online casino titles like slots, blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat, and craps are not allowed. Some Texas online casino players opt to play at offshore gaming sites, but we don’t recommend such. It can get you into issues with the state government.

What you can do instead is to check this guide on the states with online casinos in the US. You’ll find areas you can visit and play your favorite online games legally with real money. 

Our Top 5 Sweepstakes Online Casinos in Texas

As a Texan online casino player, sweepstakes casinos are your best option for gaming on the internet. These platforms use a no-purchase-necessary model, so you play for free with virtual coins and credits. That makes them legal in Texas.

We have an extensive guide on the best sweepstakes casinos in the US, where you’ll find sites that allow you to redeem your coins for real prizes. It’s worth checking it out, but here are the best five ones to go for in Texas.

Vegas Gems in Texas 

Vegas Gems may be new, but the site has everything you need for optimal gaming. You’ll kick off with 1,000 Gems from the welcome bonus after registration.

Then, you get access to 400+ free games. Most Vegas Gems games are in-house originals with Provably Fair. It’s commendable since you don’t get such innovative technology with many other sweepstakes casinos.

→ You’ll want to try out one of the in-house games, Mines when you sign up. It’s a simple game where you open titles and win with multipliers. 

WOW Vegas in Texas  

If you want to play your favorite games using Texas online casino apps, WOW Vegas offers one of the best. You can install the application on Android or iOS, and when you register, you get 250,000 Gold Coins and 5 Sweepstakes Coins as a new player bonus. 

Via the WOW Vegas app, you can play no less than 900 games. They’re all slots, but each comes with a unique theme and bonus features.

→ One of the best ones to spin is Take Olympus by Betsoft. The Greek mythology theme and visuals in the game are simply stunning. 

Chumba Casino in Texas 

Chumba Casino is a sweepstakes site for non-stop gaming. After signing up, you receive 2 million GCs and 2 SCs, undoubtedly one of the best Texas online casino bonus offers.

With your coins, you can play 150+ games. The Chumba Casino collection is wealthy. You’ll find games of different categories, such as slots, Slingo, cards, and roulette.

→ It’s up to you to decide your preference, but Red Wizard Fire Blaze by Playtech is recommended. The slot comes with 18 free spins, respins, and a huge jackpot. 

Luckyland Slots in Texas 

As the name indicates, this TX sweepstakes casino is all about slots. Specifically, there are up to 120 titles with spinning reels, but you still get a few table games.

The welcome bonus at Luckyland Slots is 7,777 Gold Coins and 10 Sweeps Coins, which is impressive. After landing the welcome offer, you can get more coins from the daily bonus. Thanks to this, you won’t need a purchase, and you’ll always have free coins.

→ For an optimal session, play Twin Spin Megaways by NetEnt. It’s one of the latest games, and the Megaways mechanic ensures you have many channels to win. 

Sportzino in Texas

With Sportzino, you get a sweepstakes platform for making sports picks. At the same time, the website holds a quality casino with 100+ games.

Like other platforms, you get a free welcome bonus upon signup, and the Sportzino offer is 170,000 Gold Coins and 7 Sweeps Coins. The Sportzino collection mainly comprises slots. However, the variety of classics, jackpots, and Megaways keeps the excitement alive.

Big Bass Secrets of the Golden Lake by Pragmatic Play is one of the hottest games at Sportzino Casino. It comes with Wilds, Scatters, and two free spins rounds. 

Want to Bet Real Money? The Top 3 Land-Based Casinos in Texas

At the best Texas sweepstakes online casino sites for online gaming, you can indeed play many exciting games. But if you’re looking for a more authentic experience, you also have retail options. During our research, we found great physical places in the state.

But here are our top 3 land-based casinos in Texas for 2024.

Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass

Huge is the word that best describes what to expect from this casino in Eagle Pass. It’s a pretty massive gambling location, with 3,300+ slot machines. Playing is convenient since you use tickets.

You can redeem tickets you win for cash at the many kiosks on the gaming floor, and the process is effortless. Besides slots, Kickapoo Lucky Eagle also features poker and Bingo.

Beautiful large casino my first time here, very clean, many slots 🎰 machines were paying today, plenty of parking.

Lupe Agundes, From Google Review
  • Address: 794 Lucky Eagle Dr, Eagle Pass, TX 78852, United States
  • Phone Number: +1 (830) 773-2255
  • Website: luckyeagletexas.com
  • Opening Hours: 24 hours 
  • Review on Google: 4.2/5 

Naskila Gaming in Livingston

Texas is home to big casinos, and Naskila Gaming is another proof. The casino promises the luckiest machines spread across a 30,000 sq ft gaming space. You get no less than 800 slots with jackpots and some Bingo options

Before entering the Naskila Gaming Casino, you must show proof that you’re up to 21. Once in, it’s an unforgettable experience. If it’s your first time, you can get some free points like this visitor:

Nice place with lots of machines to choose from. Since this was our first trip, we received free points to play on our membership card. 

Rachel Tomek, a first-time visitor
  • Address: 540 State Park Rd 56, Livingston, TX 77351, United States
  • Phone Number: +1 (936) 563-2946
  • Website: naskila.com
  • Opening Hours: 24 hours
  • Review on Google: 4.2/5

Speaking Rock Entertainment Center in El Paso

In the historic El Paso, you would rather not skip the Speaking Rock Entertainment Center if you’re a casino fan. At this casino, you’ll find 2,500 slots, and there are some video poker and roulette machines, too.

Speaking Rock is a great casino…. Always a great time here. They have 5 bars and probably about 2500 slots. Also, they have recently added Roulette and Video Poker.

Jeremy Sale, From Google Review

How to Declare Taxable Winnings in Texas?

Texas doesn’t demand local tax on gambling winnings. In other words, you don’t have to declare taxes on your state income tax return.

However, there’s a federal gambling tax to pay. So, you’ll file with the IRS using Form 1040. If you win up to a certain amount, you’ll receive W-2 G from the gambling operator, which implies a 24% flat withholding tax. 

Fact: You’ll declare your winnings on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), Additional Income and Adjustments to Income. 

Other Legal Gambling Activities in Texas

Can you play online casino in Texas? If anyone asks that question, you know the answer is no if it involves real money. Only sweepstakes sites are permitted. However, casino games are not the only gambling options in the Lone Star State.

Here are other legal alternatives to consider:

  • Texas Lottery: Since it was introduced in 1991, the lottery has remained legal in Texas. You can participate in games like Powerball, Mega Millions, Lotto Texas, Extra!, Cash Five, and many others. 
  • Parimutuel Wagering: Betting on horse and greyhound races on licensed tracks is permitted in Texas. Specifically, you can wager on simulcast and on-track parimutuel. 
  • Charitable Games: State law permits authorized non-profit organizations and community groups to hold charitable Bingo and Raffle games. There are over 1,000 organizations with permission to conduct charitable games in Texas

History of Gambling in Texas

There’s a lot to recount regarding the history of gambling in the Lone Star State. Texas has legalized and restricted different betting activities in the past, which has shaped the current situation in the region.

To get the complete picture, see the historical timeline of gambling in TX below: 

  • 1903: Responding to the increasing anti-gambling sentiment, Texas implements a total ban on all forms of gambling.
  • 1933: Texas legalizes parimutuel wagering on horse racing to fight the Great Depression.
  • 1937: Governor James Allred convenes a special legislative session to prohibit parimutuel wagering again.
  • 1971: The Texas Legislature exempts charitable organizations from the prohibition on lottery gambling.
  • 1973: The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals invalidates the 1971 law, deeming it unconstitutional, and reinstates the ban on lottery gambling.
  • 1980: Texas reintroduces bingo as legal for charitable groups, but leaves the decision to permit bingo games to the voters in each county.
  • 1987: Voters in Texas pass a constitutional amendment re-legalizing parimutuel wagering on horse racing and dog racing.
  • 1988: The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act permits federally recognized Native American tribes to operate casino gambling on reservation lands.
  • 1989: Texas voters approve the use of raffles for charitable fundraising.
  • 1991: Proposition 11 is passed, authorizing a state lottery in Texas. 
  • 1994: The first new horse track opened in Houston in 1994, followed by tracks in San Antonio and Dallas in the mid-90s.
  • 2021: A proposed sports betting legislation fails to gain ground in the Texas Legislature.

Fact: The US Supreme Court ruling on the federal ban on sports gambling in 2018 led to the proposed legislation in Texas in 2021. 

What’s Next for Texas Online Casinos? 

Real money Texas online casino sites are not legal right now, but things could change swiftly after the 2026 gubernatorial elections.

Why? Well, the Democratic candidate in 2022, Beto O’Rourke, had explicitly indicated his intention to legalize online casinos for Texas residents and also sports betting to generate additional tax revenue.

These were his words in the build-up to the 2022 polls:

If we were to make legal casino gambling and sports betting in the State of Texas — which, as you all know, many Texans engage in now, it’s only that those revenues go to other states and to other state governments — we would be able to bring in billions of dollars more.

And from listening to Texans from across the state, one, it’s a very popular proposal, and two, I think it would also help us to address some of the challenges we have in reducing inflation and property taxes in the State of Texas.

Beto O’Rourke

O’Rourke lost the election to Greg Abbott of the Republican Party by 10.9% of the popular vote. It’s not certain if he’ll recontest in 2026, but political experts believe his position on casino gaming will be the same as any other representative of his party.

So, if the Democrats take over in 2026, it’s possible that online casino gaming will be legalized. 

So, Will You Bet From Texas Tonight?

We often come across the question, “Is online casino legal in Texas?” In this guide, we’ve comprehensively provided the answer, letting you know that real money sites aren’t permitted.

You either use TX sweepstakes casinos or land-based establishments, and we’ve also pointed out the best one. It’s ideal to stick to our recommendations. Not only will you stay in line with the law, but you’ll also get the best possible experience.

For more legit online gambling options, don’t forget to take a look at the best new sweepstakes online casinos in the US.