Legal Texas Online Poker
It's hard to believe that not everyone in Texas is informed about the legalities of playing online poker in the state. But be that as it may, many from the state still take to the web everyday in order to get their poker fix. And, why shouldn't they? Millions of players from around the U.S. participate on a daily basis and they do so without getting into any trouble.
But, you're probably reading this page not knowing whether that is something that is permitted. Well, we're here to tell you that you can do it, and do it while not having to worry about being penalized or convicted of a crime. Fact is, Texas poker laws are rather strict, but they are not enforced when it comes to the individual that wants to simply get online to play or practice.
As we delve further into this topic, we're going to address several key areas of concern... namely the question, 'Is It Legal To Play Online Poker In Texas?' Our website, LegalPokerTexas.com, is dedicated to helping residents of the Lone Star State get the answers they want to know, plus it will direct them to online poker sites that are legal for Texas residents. Everything you should need is contained in the content following this section. We encourage anyone that is on-the-fence to give it a gander, then make their decision. If that decision is that it is ok to play, then we strongly encourage those readers to stick with the recommendations made here.
Is Online Poker Legal In Texas?
In case you haven't heard, recently the federal government has come out and said they don't plan to use the Wire Act to prosecute Americans who play online poker. Since federal law was the only law of interest to online poker-playing citizens of Texas, there aren't any laws now that prevent Texans from enjoying online poker at the online poker rooms currently accepting American cash wagers.
There is still the UIGEA to be dealt with. That law, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, was an attempt by the US government to control the way online gamblers added money to their gambling accounts. Poker players in Texas are affected by this act, but all it does is change the way they move cash into their online poker account. The UIGEA makes it illegal for American banks to do business with known online gambling sites. Still, the online poker rooms that accept wagers from people in Texas have a way to do business. They simply use alternative cash deposit methods and avoid the banks entirely.
Legal Online Poker Sites For Texas Residents
Some poker sites still accept American wagers. For residents of Texas, we recommend the following poker sites: Intertops, Bovada Poker, and BetOnline.
It's like you're sitting down at a World Series of Poker table when playing at Bovada Poker Room, and players in the state of Texas are able to do just that. Accepted at Bovada, and legal to play, Texas online poker players will have the full spectrum of this poker site open to them.
And there are plenty of reasons to like Bovada as a top legal poker room as well. For one, Texas players can collect real cash when they win. The process is started with the creation and funding of an account. To deposit into Bovada accounts, Texas players will have the option use their different vareties of VISA, a Western Union wire transfer, or a MoneyGram transfer. This spreads the field on the available funding methods, with multiple ways to go.
Poker players in Texas should give BetOnline a chance. One of the nice things about the poker room here is that prospective players can check out what's coming up on the schedule, as BetOnline lays out exactly what the plan is each month in their poker room.
Exciting specials take place each day of the week within BetOnline's poker room, and Texas poker players have the opportunity to win thousands of dollars every day with these, in addition to the money that they can win at the tables they choose to sit at. There are $150,000 in guaranteed tournaments every month at BetOnline, so playing here certainly could be lucrative.
SportsBetting.ag offers Texas poker players the chance to earn up to $900 in bonus money for every deposit they make into their account. Because of the fact that this bonus applies to each and every deposit made, players do not have to feel compelled to rush in with a bonus right from the start if they do not want to.
However, anytime that a player wants to choose that bonus option, whether it's on the first deposit, the 10th, or the 50th, that lifetime bonus guarantee will still be there for them. This bonus at SportsBetting.ag is definitely one of the best around, and something that players from Texas should consider getting in on if they are going to do poker online.
There are no laws aimed specifically at online poker play in the state of Texas. There are, however, some specific laws about what sorts of poker games are legal in the state's borders. For example, to have a legal home poker game, you must do three things: close the game to the public, don't collect rake, and make sure your poker game is fair. Since Texas law prevents casinos from opening in the state, there is no legal way to play poker. No casinos means no poker rooms. Texans who want to play poker in the casino have long depended on casinos in Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and other places.
It's important to mention that Texas has never prosecuted anyone for playing online poker, and no laws exist that explicitly make online poker illegal. So play on, Texans. Just make sure you're playing at a legit online poker site.
With the most popular card game in the world named after their state, you might think Texas has legal online poker available. This is actually not the case though. There is no state-regulated poker site operating in Texas currently. But, there have been some attempts by Texas and its representatives in the state pushing for it, not to mention the potential for legislation to be passed in late 2013.
There were a couple of developments that took place in early 2013 in regards to online poker in the state. While there wasn't a bill that was introduced to legalize online poker in the Texas, there was a bill introduced that would legalize online poker should it become legal at the federal level. In other words, any online legislation that legalizes online poker would be adopted immediately by Texas. This amendment is likely scheduled to be put to a vote for the midterm elections held on November 5th, 2013.
Texas Congressman Joe Barton has long been a big advocate for the legalization of online gambling, as he put forth a bill back in 2011, HR2366. It was known as the Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection, and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2011. It did not pass its way through Congress, falling short. However, Barton remains one of the best allies for those in the United States wanting online gambling legalized across the board in the U.S.
Is it Legal to Play Land-Based Poker in Texas
If one wishes to play a hand of Texas Hold ’Em in the state of Texas, one may find it ironic that it is indeed very difficult to do so due to various state laws. Everything is bigger in Texas, including irony, but that doesn’t mean that a game of poker is entirely out of the question as many of the best players come out of this great state. So long as one plays the game from a ‘private place’, does not take large economic loss or gains, engages in a game where all players have an equal opportunity and probability in winning or losing and all players are of adult age, then one may lawfully play a game of Texas Hold ’Em where bets and wagers come into play. State law is indeed strict on gambling and for the most part, poker is illegal in the Lone Star State.
Casinos and card rooms alike are in turn forbidden in Texas. State laws dictate that it is a criminal offense to operate or in any other manner, participate in the earnings of a place used for gambling. This law is absolute which leaves many Texas residents who enjoy a game of Poker searching for alternatives other than a long drive out of State.
Where To Play Land-Based Poker in Texas
Although the law expressly forbids all gambling, live casinos and card rooms, one can follow a few simple exceptions in engaging friends in a hand of Poker within the Lone Star State. Provided a player follows the rules on playing at a ‘private place’ and everyone is of legal age, residents in Texas are lawfully allowed to place bets in a game of cards as undoubtedly, many locals likely do. There is little to no enforcement or investigation on such home games of cards and many feel comfortable in hosting a game at the house among friends.
While many in Texas feel defeated in wanting to experience the thrill of live high stakes Texas Hold ’Em within their home state, there is one lone twinkle of hope within the Lone Star State. Due to Federal laws protecting Native Americans and their right to operate legal casinos, ‘Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino’ stands as the only legal card playing option in the entire region. The casino is outside of the rule of Texas law but within the gorgeous scenery of Eagle Pass, Texas and is truly a poker gem where residents can hone their craft and play for serious money. Players can engage in high stakes tournaments, daily and weekly guaranteed high stakes pots through games of Texas Hold’Em, Omaha or Stud. With the gorgeous scenery of the Rio Grande River and the Mexico border, players will have no legal issues chasing the river here.
Note: This is not legal USA poker advice for Texas residents. Those with questions about online poker and state laws should consult a lawyer a lawyer in their area. The poker laws in Texas are changing all the time and we are not able to guarantee the information we provide here. With regulation of online poker in TX being such as hot topic, the state is bound to go through changes as early as 2013. When those changes occur, we'll do our best to keep the content on LegalPokerTexas.com relevant and up-to-date.
