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The first online casino and poker rooms were introduced in the US in 2013 when New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada passed state laws for online gaming. As for online sports betting, this was illegal. By Randy Ray & James Carter August 14th, 2019. Updated: January 2, 2020. The legality of online poker in the United States varies according to your jurisdiction. Contrary to what some sources might have you believe, no federal law specifically forbids online poker. BetOnline.ag is one of the most reputable online poker sites that still cater to United States players and ALL grinders worldwide. Claim your 100% poker bonus and/or FREE $25 sports bet! New players can earn up to $1,000 in bonus cash on their 1st deposit. Ridiculously crisp software and graphics - no lag whatsoever online or on your mobile device.
The gambling laws of US states are best collectively described as a mashup, a tangle of differing philosophies, definitions and priorities.
Below you'll find a quick synopsis of gambling laws in each US state, along with a link to a detailed report for every state. Each review provides a plain-language interpretation of the state's gambling laws, an analysis of the legal status of online gambling and poker in general in the state.
The US state gambling laws include a review of recent developments relevant to online poker players. The state pages on this site are updated often to reflect the most recent developments for legal poker in the USA.
To help you navigate this page better, we've provided an interactive map. Simply click on a state within the map and the page will load that particular section for you.
UNITED STATES—Gambling laws are always changing in the United States and some major changes have taken place in the past few years. In 2011, individual states were legally allowed to pass online. In April 2013, the first legal online gambling site in the United States went live in Nevada. It was an online poker room called Ultimate Poker. By November, online poker and online casinos went live in Delaware and New Jersey. In 2017, Pennsylvania became the fourth and largest state to pass legislation regulating online gambling.
Alabama Poker: State allows very limited types of gambling and considers poker to be gambling. Severe punishments for both players and operators. State law does not directly mention online gambling.
Alaska Poker: No lottery and very little regulated gambling in this state. Poker could qualify as game of skill, but case law suggests it is considered gambling. No specific law regarding gambling over the Internet.
Arizona Poker: One of a handful of states that expressly prohibits online gambling. Several forms of regulated gambling available. State law (and enforcement) primarily targets those who profit from illegal gambling activity.
Arkansas Poker: Broad definition of illegal gambling. Some parts of state law may have direct applicability to online gambling. Individual gamblers are not a focus of criminal charges related to illegal gambling.
California Poker: Offers a variety of regulated gambling options. No specific law addressing the issue of online gambling. Seems close to passing some sort of regulation, likely poker-only.
Colorado Poker: Expansive definition of gambling underpins strict approach to unregulated gambling. Poker is considered gambling. While law does not address online gambling specifically, state officials contend such gambling is illegal.
Connecticut Poker: Poker specifically mentioned in statutory definition of gambling. No law dealing directly with Internet gambling or online poker. Home poker games legal if no rake is taken.
Delaware Poker: Recently passed law to regulate some forms of online gambling. Players face only minor criminal exposure for participating in illegal gambling.
Florida Poker: Poker hotbed has very restrictive anti-gambling laws. Very few ways to play poker or gamble and be within the letter of Florida law. State has seen a handful of failed attempts to regulate online poker.
Georgia Poker: Poker players have almost no regulated - and therefore no legal - options for real money poker. State has constitutional ban on almost all forms of gambling.
Hawaii Poker: No regulated gambling of any sort in the 50th state. While online gambling not addressed directly, several aspects of state law could still apply. Individual gamblers not a primary target.
Idaho Poker: Possibly the broadest definition of gambling in the US. Poker directly mentioned. Online gambling possibly addressed by constitutional prohibition on gambling. Penalties relatively minor for players and operators.
Illinois Poker: Broad selection of regulated gambling and severe approach to unregulated gambling. State law specifically prohibits the operation of an online gambling site, but not necessarily playing at one.
Indiana Poker: State takes aggressive approach to illegal gambling. Players appear to be targets along with operators. Indiana has a law outlawing the operation (but not the use) of online casinos.
Iowa Poker: Does not draw a clear distinction between participants and operators. Severe potential penalties for both. State seems poised to pass some sort of online gambling regulation soon.
Kansas Poker: A litany of regulated options contrasts with a strict approach to unregulated gambling. State lottery oversees commercial casinos, a unique arrangement. No apparent momentum for online gambling regulation.
Kentucky Poker: Has legal online betting on horse racing. Practically zero criminal risk for those who merely participate in illegal gambling, but substantial exposure for those who profit from or otherwise advance such activity.
Louisiana Poker: Vague definition of gambling creates legal uncertainty. State law does specifically prohibit gambling online or running online gambling business.
Maine Poker: No penalties for mere players who take part in illegal gambling. Home poker games legal under Maine law. No direct mention of online gambling or online poker.
Maryland Poker: Gambling law differs county-to-county. Generally stiffer potential penalties for players than average. No direct reference to online gambling, but Maryland law has been to used to prosecute several operators.
Massachusetts Poker: Very broad definition of illegal gambling. Players face substantial charges in theory, but enforcement efforts do not appear to target players. No specific law covering gambling over the Internet.
Michigan Poker: Operators and players alike face harsh penalties in Michigan, which specifically identifies poker as a form of gambling. Internet gambling not addressed directly by any part of the law.
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Minnesota Poker: State provides some forms of regulated gambling. Poker is likely considered gambling. Home poker games are excluded from anti-gambling law given that no one profits from running the game.
Mississippi Poker: Poker specifically identified as gambling. Minor penalties for those who are only players in illegal gambling activities. No part of Mississippi law deals specifically with Internet gambling.
Missouri Poker: Possibly the most severe penalties for players of any state in the nation. Lacks any law constructed to deal with online poker, but state officials assert such gambling is illegal under existing law.
Montana Poker: Law expressly prohibits online gambling but seems primarily focused on operators and not players. Otherwise, both players and operators involved in illegal gambling face stiff penalties.
Nebraska Poker: Difficult to identify a way in which playing poker for money could be legal in Nebraska. Little to no apparent interest in regulating online poker or online gambling.
Nevada Poker: First in the nation to issue licenses to online poker operators. Anti-gambling laws almost exclusively focused on those running illegal gambling operations and not on mere players.
New Hampshire Poker: Fairly narrow definition of gambling that may or may not include poker. State law doesn't appear to cover online gambling directly.
New Jersey Poker: Plenty of regulated gambling options available in New Jersey. State appears close to passing online poker regulation (and perhaps a larger package of online gambling regulations).
New Mexico Poker: A very broad definition of illegal gambling but no direct mention of online gambling or online poker. Home poker games apparently illegal under state law.
New York Poker: State anti-gambling laws formed heart of Black Friday indictments. Home poker games allowed. Despite Black Friday role, no mention of online gambling in state law. Players face little risk or liability in New York.
North Carolina Poker: No definition of 'game of chance' creates confusion in state gambling law. Relatively weak penalties for anti-gambling law violations. State may soon regulate so-called 'Internet sweepstakes' cafes.
North Dakota Poker: Very broad definition of illegal gambling, but little apparent enforcement. Has some potential to regulate online gambling in the near term. Home poker games legal or illegal based on stakes involved.
Ohio Poker: Poker specifically defined as 'game of chance.' Home games legal at any stakes. State seems to have significant likelihood of regulating online gambling in near term.
Oklahoma Poker: Tons of regulated gambling options, but very stiff penalties for unregulated gambling. Transmission law may cover Internet gambling.
Oregon Poker: Law specifically prohibits financial transactions related to internet gambling. Poker for real money legal in a variety of regulated formats.
Pennsylvania Poker: Players in illegal gambling activities face no liability. State has somewhat confused approach to gambling thanks to lack of clear statutory definitions. Online gambling regulation seems fairly likely in next two years.
Rhode Island Poker: Ambiguous gambling law but players do not appear to be targets of the law or enforcement efforts. Rumored interstate poker partner for Delaware.
South Carolina Poker: State Supreme Court will soon decide if poker is a form of gambling. Centuries-old laws regarding gambling still on the state's books make many common games such as Monopoly technically illegal.
South Dakota Poker: Very aggressive approach to illegal gambling. Very broad definition of what activity constitutes illegal gambling. State law explicitly criminalizes operation of online gambling businesses.
Tennessee Poker: More or less prohibits all forms of gambling, save the state lottery and some forms of charitable gambling. Law does not directly tackle online gambling.
Texas Poker: Significant factions of state government and the public vociferously opposed to gambling. Utilizes very broad definition of gambling that includes betting on any activity involving any chance.
Utah Poker: No regulated forms of gambling. Pre-emptively opted out of any federal law regarding online poker in 2018. Least likely of the 50 states to regulate online poker or gambling.
Vermont Poker: Relatively limited law regarding gambling. Minor penalties and low-priority enforcement for individual gamblers.
Virginia Poker: State takes what amounts to an average approach to anti-gambling laws and enforcement. No law specifically designed to cover online gambling.
Washington State Poker: Only state to make placing a bet online a felony. State allows a wide variety of regulated gambling options, including commercial and tribal casinos.
West Virginia Poker: State allows wide array of regulated gambling. Minor penalties for players engaged in illegal gambling. Frequently mentioned as potential interstate online poker partner for neighbor Delaware.
Wisconsin Poker: Home to a handful of regulated gambling options. Fairly strict laws regarding unregulated gambling and higher-than-average arrest numbers for such charges.
Wyoming Poker: Very broad definition of illegal gambling. One of a few US states to not have a lottery. Relatively minor penalties for engaging in illegal gambling.
District of Columbia Poker: Home to nation's capitol and an attempt to regulate online gambling that failed in 2018. Anti-gambling laws relatively limited.
Last Updated January 2, 2020
Poker wouldn’t be poker without Texas. After all, without Texas, we’d all just be playing plain old hold’em. Without Texas, we wouldn’t have some of the game’s most enduring legends, such as Doyle Brunson, Amarillo Slim, and WSOP founder Benny Binion.
No-limit Texas Hold’em made Texas an indelible part of poker. Card players in the Lone Star Star love poker, both in land-based casinos and online poker. This page discusses the Internet poker rooms available to Texas poker players in this Guide to Playing Online Poker in Texas.
If you came here looking for how to play online poker in Texas or the tips on the best Texas poker sites, we suggest you read our real-money poker guide.
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Current Updates for TX – Laws, Legislation & House Bills
Poker players have fought for legalized poker for years, whether in Texas online poker rooms or in brick-and-mortar establishments. In 2012-2013, Senator Rodney Ellis introduced casino bills that included the legalization of poker, but Ellis received no support from his fellow lamwakers.
Since then, Texan entrepreneurs took the initiative. Private poker clubs have popped up around Texas, mostly in large cities like Houston and Dallas. Players don’t pay a rake or tournament fees. Instead, they pay membership or entrance fee, similar to a country club. The clubs make money from membership fees, seat rental fees, and food and beverage sales.
Poker clubs operate in a grey area. Local law enforcement shut down some poker clubs, but some in other towns remain open and assert their rights legally. A court ruling might decide the law, as the legislature won’t legalize Texas poker anytime soon.
AG Ken Paxton Dithers on Live Poker Rooms
The most recent news out of Texas is that Attorney General Ken Paxton will not be issuing any type of decision regarding the live poker rooms. State Representative Geanie Morrison formally asked Paxton if poker rooms that charge membership fees but don’t charge rake permitted are legal. Paxton officially refused to answer. A spokesperson for his office said that it is a legal matter being litigated in the courts, so courts should resolve the issue.
In 2018, Attorney General Ken Paxton said he would not issue any type of decision regarding the live poker rooms. State Representative Geanie Morrison formally asked Paxton if poker rooms that charge membership fees — but don’t charge rake — are permitted under the current law. Many state lawmakers have been asking the same question, but Paxton officially refused to answer. A spokesperson for his office said that the courts should resolve the issue.
Texas Poker Clubs – A Legal Gray Area
Poker clubs around Texas continued to operate as usual until May 1, 2019.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office and Houston Police Department coordinated to raid the two largest poker clubs in Houston on May 1. Nine owners and managers from the Post Oak Poker Club and Prime Social Poker Club were arrested and charged with money laundering as a part of engaging in organized crime activities. The two clubs’ bank accounts were also frozen and all funds seized. District Attorney Kim Ogg said, “Poker rooms are illegal in the state of Texas.”
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Interestingly, however, all charges were dropped in July. All money was returned. The DA’s office commented that the dismissal of charges was the result of “multiple potential conflicts of interest” within her office. It seems that a contract employee of her office also worked for a law firm that tried to extort money from the two poker clubs while conducting an investigation of them. Said law firm – Jones Walker – then became the target of a lawsuit by Prime Social in early September.
Latest Texas Sports Betting Bills
Texas Rep. Eduardo Lucio introduced Texas House Bill 1275 and Texas House Joint Resolution 61 to the House in February 2019. HR 1275 would regulate land-based sports betting and impose a 6.25% tax. HRJ 61 would let Texans vote on a constitutional amendment to legalize sportsbooks through a statewide vote.
| Type/Code | Summary |
| State Code Section(s) | PEN.10.47; CIV.6 |
| Definition of Gambling | A person commits an offense if he makes a bet on the partial or final result of a game or contest or on the performance of a participant in a game or contest; makes a bet on the result of any political nomination, appointment, or election or on the degree of success of any nominee, appointee, or candidate; or plays and bets for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, balls, or any other gambling device. |
| Definition of Gambling Device | Any electronic, electromechanical, or mechanical contrivance that for a consideration affords the player an opportunity to obtain anything of value, the award of which is determined solely or partially by chance, even though accompanied by some skill, whether or not the prize is automatically paid by the contrivance. The term includes, but is not limited to, gambling device versions of bingo, keno, blackjack, lottery, roulette, video poker, or similar electronic, electromechanical, or mechanical games, or facsimiles thereof. |
| Definition of Bet | An agreement to win or lose something of value solely or partially by chance. |
| Online Poker/Gambling | There have been no proposals in the state legislature that would legalize online poker or internet gaming of any kind. |
| Live Poker | The live poker offered at cardrooms in major cities in Texas advertise as membership club. No rake is taken from the poker games, though there are fees to enter or belong to the clubs. So far, there have been no court decisions that have closed these poker rooms. |
| Casinos | There are no casinos in Texas, though cardrooms exist as entertainment venues. |
| Sports Betting | HR1275 and HJR 61 would regulate Texas sports betting. |
| DFS | A proposal to legalize daily fantasy sports was proposed in 2017, but died in committee. |
| Other Forms of Gambling | Horse and greyhound racing, on-track pari-mutuel betting, lottery, social gambling, bingo and charitable gambling, contests of skill. |
Texas Gambling & Poker Laws Summarized | |
Texas Daily Fantasy Sports Laws – Is It Legal?
In January 2016, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that daily fantasy sports gaming was illegal in Texas. FanDuel announced it would no longer offer games to Texans after May 1, 2016. DraftKings filed suit in a Texas court, asking the court to rule DFS legal. That court case has not been resolved yet.
8-Liners in Texas Towns
One other oddity exists on the Texas landscape. Under Texas State law, the gaming machines called 8-Liners or “maquinitas“ are legal if local municipalities approve them. and the owner does not pay winnings in cash. Winners are paid in store credit, gas, or groceries. Despite that limitation, 8-liners generate $5.4 billion in revenues each year.
8-Liners create a problem for local law enforcement. Business owners often pay cash for winnings, which is illegal. Just in the past 3 years alone, Texas law enforcement has raided 8-liner operations for illegal cash payments in the following cities: San Antonio, Poth, Athens, Cap City, Eustace, Seven Points, Tool, Gun Barrel City, San Benito, Rio Grande City, La Joya, Cameron County in the Rio Grande Valley, and McAllen.
Texas Poker Sites – Where to Play Online Legally?
Most Texas poker players drive to Oklahoma or Louisiana to gamble. Several of the largest casinos (by gaming space) in the world are located an hour north of Dallas: Winstar Casino in Thackerville and Choctaw Casino in Durant, Oklahoma. The casinos in Bossier City and Shreveport, Louisiana also get most of their business from Dallas-Fort Worth.
Texans who want to know the closest card room should read our list of real money poker rooms.
Is Online Poker Legal in Texas?
As a rule of thumb, a poker site that accepts American players will also accept poker players from Texas. It’s NOT illegal to play online poker in Texas. In fact, unlike Washington, Texas poker players can legally play on offshore poker sites, like Bovada. The only illegal activity is owning or operating a poker room.
The rooms we’ve listed above are Texas-friendly, but they’re far from the only online poker rooms where Texans can play real-money games. Read through our list of online poker — Texas exists in a gray area, but Texans can play at most US-friendly sites.
What Forms of Gambling Are Legal in Texas?
Poker players are naturally curious about whether or not playing poker for real money online is legal under Texas law. Offering legal advice is not a function of this website (nor of anyone beyond legal professionals), but we can help you sort through the fundamentals of poker laws in Texas.
What counts as gambling in Texas?
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The definition of “bet” (Section 47.01(1)) is short and sweet – it’s when you enter into an understanding “to win or lose something of value” in an activity that involves chance. Specifically, the winning or losing must occur “solely or partially by chance.” The definition includes the phrase “partially by chance,” so a bet is anything with any element of chance. The definition of “gambling device” (Section 47.01(4) clarifies the law further.
Making illegal bets is a misdemeanor in Texas (Section 47.02). Those who break the law could face a half-dozen separate charges. Gambling promotion (Section 47.03) is a misdemeanor, and covers operating, promoting, processing bets and selling lottery chances. Possession of Gambling Device, Equipment, or Paraphernalia (Section 47.06) is also a misdemeanor.
Will Texas Regulate Internet Poker?
It’s unlikely Texas will regulate online poker. Texas proponents of land-based casino gambling faced a long fight in the past. Texas online poker is even further away from approval.
Texas Gambling Facts
Texas regulates lottery betting and pari-mutuel bets on racing, and charitable gambling (raffles and games of bingo).
Tribal gambling is complicated. Naskila Gaming at Livingston owned by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino at Eagle Pass, and Speaking Rock Entertainment by the Tigua Tribe of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo each operate casino gaming. All three tribes are embroiled in multi-year legal battles with the state of Texas.
Purely social gambling in a private place or regulated gambling activity is legal, if the house makes no profit.
All Poker and Gambling Laws by State
News in the online realm of the gambling industry regarding billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson typically revolves around his avid dislike of online gambling. The idea of online casino games has inspired him to spend tens of millions – at a minimum – of dollars to fight it from the
Read Full- July 11th, 2018
Poker rooms operating in Texas have no plans to shut down. They believe in their right to operate enough to take it to the courts if they must. The loopholes in the law, in addition to the antiquated laws surrounding poker in Texas, may be challenged in just that way,
Read Full - May 8th, 2018
Poker players in Texas know how to find games. Whether they travel to neighboring states that allow casinos and card rooms or locate underground games closer to home, there are ways to play poker. Some have found a different avenue. With some legal advice and personal determination, a number of
Read Full - October 20th, 2017
Texas is one of the few states in America that does not permit poker rooms, clubs, or games with any type of money involved. Despite the global popularity of Texas Hold’em, the state itself has yet to consider any true poker legalization measures. Only one casino operates in Texas, and
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Texas’ Forms of Regulated Internet Gambling
This is a much shorter list, as the state of Texas does not regulate any form of online gambling activity. As noted in our earlier section discussing the likelihood that Texas will regulate online poker, there’s almost certainly quite a bit of daylight between now and a time when Texas is issuing licenses to online gambling operators.
Additional Research on Texas Gambling
Texas Tribune: Gaming/Gambling. Dedicated section from the Texas Tribune covering all in-state gaming and gambling issues. Includes news and interviews with major industry players.
Senator Rodney Ellis . Internet home of Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston), the driving force behind a proposal that would allow voters to decide whether or not to bring casinos to Texas.
Texas Lottery . Official website for the state lottery of Texas contains winning numbers along with a wealth of historical and statistical data about the lottery.
Texas’ and the History of Poker
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It’s hard for a state to be any more integral to the game of poker than Texas. After all, the state name is right smack at the start of what is by far the most popular format of modern poker: Texas Hold’em. The “Godfather” of poker, Doyle Brunson, is still better known to some poker fans as Texas Dolly. The subject of one of the most epic poker matches (and stories) in history – Andy Beal – is (you guessed it) a card-carrying Texan. We could go on.
Poker is now by and large an underground activity in Texas, so the state doesn’t get the same spotlight as your Las Vegas or your Atlantic City. But we can guarantee that if the same laws existed in Texas as Nevada, you might quickly see the center of the American poker universe gravitate a bit closer to the Lone Star State.