18+ Poker, Sports Betting, And Casinos In Texas
Texas presents a unique gambling landscape with some of the strictest laws in the country. While brick-and-mortar options are limited to a small number of Class II Native American casinos, online gambling opportunities for Texans predominantly come from offshore platforms.
If you would like to know more about Texas options for real money casino games, poker rooms, and sports betting with a minimum age of 18 to play, check out the rest of this guide.
In-Person Texas Casinos
Texas has some of the strictest laws when compared to what is offered for gambling in all US states. Only a few casinos exist, and all are located on Native American lands. These tribal casinos primarily offer Class II gaming, such as bingo-style slot machines, and are open 24 hours a day. You must be 21 or older to enter and gamble.
20 And Under Online Casinos Texas
The only online casinos accessible to Texas players operate offshore, offering real-money games that local options do not. A key advantage is that many of these sites welcome players aged 18 and older, opening the door to the 20-and-under market.
Domestic casino sites in the United States are rare. If TX were to consider legalizing them, it would follow legalizing Class III retail casinos, which is not a pressing concern for lawmakers at the moment. For now, the web-based casinos that you see in this guide can handle all of your online gambling needs.
TX Casino Apps
Mobile casinos in Texas are only available from offshore operators due to the current state law. Any of our top online gambling sites can be accessed on mobile devices from anywhere inside Texas by connecting over the Internet.
While some may prefer downloadable apps from state-regulated casinos, these mobile gambling options appear and behave just like installed software. All of the casino games and promotions offered on the desktop casino site are also available on smartphones and tablets in TX.
The Best Online Casino Sites And Apps In TX
| Casino Site | Bonus | Rating | USA | VIsit/Review | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 100% up to $3,000 | 4.8 | Play Now Read Review | |
| 3 |  | 200% up to $3,000 | 4.6 | Play Now Read Review | |
| 4 |  | 500% up to $3,000 | 4.5 | Play NowRead Review |
My Texas Casino Gambling Experiences
Having experienced both local and offshore gambling options, the benefits of offshore casinos stand out. Offshore platforms offer a wider variety of games, generous bonuses, and convenient banking options not found locally.
The ease of access from home or mobile is unmatched. However, for a classic experience, the local Galveston casino boat is a good time. Playing aboard the casino cruise provided a unique blend of scenic views and live table games like blackjack and poker.
Despite the limited variety compared to offshore sites, the social atmosphere and ambiance aboard the boat make it a special outing for Texans seeking a tangible casino vibe. Overall, the local experience is merely a complement to international online options.
Texas Sports Betting 🏈 🏀
In-Person Sports Betting - Texas
Domestic sports betting has not been legalized in TX. Due to this legal status, there are no local sportsbooks in the state. There have been numerous attempts to pass Texas sports betting in the legislature, but the current governor is not in favor of local sportsbooks at this time.
Online Sports Betting Texas
Online sports betting in Texas thrives through offshore sportsbooks, offering Texas bettors access to markets like the NFL, NBA, MLB, college football, and more. Offshore sportsbooks typically set the minimum betting age at 18, which applies to all the online sportsbooks we link to here.
We believe Texas will eventually legalize retail sports betting, both online and in-person, but for now, international sportsbook sites dominate the marketplace in the Lone Star State.
Sports Betting Apps In Texas
The Lone Star State's prohibition on locally regulated sports betting extends to mobile gambling, as there are no domestic sportsbook apps at this time. Mobile sports betting is possible in TX if you join an online sportsbook that accepts players in the state.
Any sportsbook site you see listed here can be accessed on mobile phones using the onboard browser to log in. All the same features available online are offered on the accompanying sports betting apps, and any current Apple or Android smartphone or tablet can connect.
The Best Texas Sportsbook Sites And Apps
| Sports Site | Bonus | Rating | Min Age | USA | VIsit/Review | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 75% up to $750 | 4.8 | 18+ | Play Now Read Review | |
| 2 |  | 125% up to $3,125 | 4.7 | 18+ | Play Now Read Review | |
| 3 |  | 50% up to $1,000 | 4.7 | 21+ | Play Now Read Review | |
| 4 |  | 50% Max $250 | 4.5 | 18+ | Play Now Read Review | |
| 5 |  | 50% up to $200 | 4.5 | 21+ | Play Now Read Review |
My Take On Texas Sports Betting
The first thing you need to know is that local sports betting in Texas is not offered by state-regulated vendors. The only option at this time to place a legal sports bet is with sportsbook sites that are located in other countries.
My experiences with these offshore books have been largely positive, especially with the ones listed here. These platforms offer betting options for all the sports I’m looking for, from the NFL to less popular sports like cricket and darts.
If you have a device that can connect to the web and you are at least 18, you’ve got everything you need to bet on sports in Texas. There are loads of sites that will accept in-state players, but the ones listed here are the only sites that have met our standards over a long period of time.
Poker In TX ♠️ ♥️
Texas Poker Rooms And Card Rooms
There are numerous poker clubs and card rooms in Texas where anyone 18 and older can ante up and play. Some rooms may restrict entry and play to patrons 21 and older, usually due to alcohol service at the location.
Online Poker In The Longhorn State
While there are numerous in-person options allowed by Texas gambling laws, online poker sites are not currently permitted. This includes mobile poker apps as well. The only way to play online TX poker is to join an offshore gambling site like the ones we feature in this guide.
These sites allow players as young as 21 to play real-money hands of poker online, with numerous games and variants to choose from. There are also poker bonuses with minimal to no payback conditions that will stuff your account with cash based on the number of hands played.
TX Poker Apps
Mobile poker is in the same boat as online options in TX – local law doesn’t allow them to exist domestically. You can legally use any poker site that we list here using your mobile phone or tablet in TX as long as it is connected to the Internet.
No download is required to access these Texas poker sites on Apple and Android devices. All the same games are available, save for downloadable versions and their multi-tabling options.
The Best TX Poker Sites And Apps For 18 To 20
Playing The Tables In The Longhorn State
For a serious pro, the state's private poker clubs offer intense action with cash games, a steady mix of tournaments, and a player pool that's tougher than typical casino environments. It's crucial that the club doesn't take a cut of winnings and follows all member-only rules.
For pro-level online play, the reality is that offshore sites are the only way to maintain your volume, sharpen your skills, and chase consistent action. Offshore poker rooms offer high traffic, soft tournament fields, and a level of game variety you just can't find in-person in Texas.
These sites have two key advantages: a massive game selection and broad availability of features such as multi-tabling and advanced tracking tools.
Ultimately, playing the tables in the Longhorn State is about building a solid home base in poker clubs, grinding the toughest live games, and firing up offshore accounts for online volume.
Texas Horse Race Betting 🏇🏻
Texas horse race betting is legally allowed only through on-track wagering at the state's three sanctioned racetracks: Sam Houston Race Park, Lone Star Park, and Retama Park, as well as occasionally at the Gillespie County Fair.
Texas prohibits remote and online horse racing betting, but there are options for online and mobile horse race betting at offshore sportsbook sites. Odds for races around the planet are offered around the clock at the sites you see listed here.
18-Friendly TX Racetracks
Four racetracks in TX offer some combination of live horse racing and off-track wagering. None of these venues features a casino or card room. Horse race betting is allowed for anyone 18 or older.
- Lone Star Park – Grand Prairie, TX - Pure horse racing and simulcast betting.
- Sam Houston Race Park – Houston, TX - Thoroughbred & Quarter Horse meets only.
- Retama Park – Selma, TX - Live racing and simulcast wagering.
- Gillespie County Fairgrounds – Fredericksburg, TX - Four weekends of Quarter Horse & Thoroughbred races each summer.
Texas Bingo Halls 🔴 ⚫️
Texas bingo halls operate as licensed charitable establishments, allowing locals aged 18 and older to play bingo legally in venues across the state. Bingo is permitted only for nonprofit or charitable organizations under strict state guidelines.
There are no online bingo outlets in TX, but offshore casinos offer bingo-style electronic games that loosely resemble real-life play.
FAQs
Helpful Resources
- Help With Problem Gambling – The National Council On Problem Gambling