The Lone Star State is a South-Central region of the United States famous for its size, reputation as the world’s live music capital, many rodeos, and the home of the Alamo. However, one thing that it is not known for is loose gambling laws. It has some of the strictest betting regulations in the nation and remains one of the few US states that does not have authorized sports betting.
Also, no commercial gaming gets allowed in Texas, and only one physical establishment offers games of chance in the Super-American State. That is the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle, a Native American-run venue located at 794 Lucky Eagle Drive in Eagle Pass. It only has electronic real money casino games, such as Money Bags, La Loteria, and Fort Knox, but not gaming tables. That said, live card action is a thing here, happening daily, possible since this property is on tribal land. Texas law allows private games played in private residences, but not ones organized in gambling locales.
Based on the facts stated above, it stands to reason that online local casinos are a no-go in Texas. That is accurate, as only six USA regions allow operators from within their borders to run such sites. These are Michigan, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware. Texas is unlikely to make this list, and the regulated vs. offshore casinos debate gets touched upon below.
Given the information provided, what are Texas’ options concerning remote casino entertainment?
Are Social Casinos Legal in Texas?
What are social casinos? They are fun-play software that features games like those found at real money casinos. Since no money is on the line when one enjoys these products, they are not legit prize gaming. The rewards provided in them come in the Biggest web slots (สล็อตเว็บใหญ่ที่สุด) form of in-game currency. Where controversy arises with these pieces of software is that they allow in-app purchases that can produce a competitive edge in multiplayer contests. Moreover, some even go so far as to organize competitions that can yield monetary rewards or ones supplied in gift card form.
Technically, since cash-based tournaments in games of skill are not illegal in Texas, as they do not constitute gambling, many apps allowing competitions on card games can get offered to Texans. These feature a skill element. Even though casino games are chance-based, we have yet to see Texas on the restricted state list, which usually includes regions like Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Montana, Louisiana, and Delaware.
Note that daily fantasy sports are also legal in Texas for residents over the age of eighteen. FanDuel and DraftKings fantasy sports services can get enjoyed while inside state lines with no consequences.
Are Offshore Gambling Sites in Play for Texans?
Yes. Offshore gaming platforms are brands run by operators based in a foreign country that accept players from the US and other territories around the globe. Primarily, these companies have a base of operation in the Caribbean, South America, or a Native American reservation. That is so because they seek to run their operations from a place with lax gambling and tax laws.
No federal United States laws state that these sites are illegal to use by Americans, and few state ones mention them. The top 5 mobile online casinos in this sphere, Bovada, BetUS, Las Atlantis, Wild Casino, and El Royale, have millions of US residents among their user pools and have been servicing Texans for years. To utilize these apps for betting and gaming fun, one must be over twenty-one and have a viable payment method. That is all. Sports gambling also gets supplied on some of these hubs.
No one should worry about the safety of their data when playing/betting on the mentioned casinos. They employ the same security features as ones regulated by New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement, and thousands of online user reviews act as testimonials to their credibility. Without question, they are as safe as US-based online casinos in the six states that have legalized their operation.
Will Online Gambling Soon Become Legal in Texas?
It is super doubtful. In 2021, a massive push for sports betting legislation still needed to materialize. Because legislative sessions in Texas happen in odd years, the next attempt should occur in 2023. But it is unlikely to be successful, despite leading fantasy sports turned sportsbook providers doing what they can to make sports betting in the Lone Star State a reality. Neighboring Louisiana and Arkansas have made this possible, while New Mexico and Oklahoma still need to.
Regarding online casino gaming, things look even more desperate. There are no signs that such platforms will operate from within Texas soon. The good news is that in-person commercial casinos may show up in America’s second-largest state sooner rather than later.