Is Poker legal in Texas? Online & Live Poker Laws in TX
You’d think that poker would be legal in the state of Texas given the Cadillac of poker – Texas hold’em – was invented in the state in a town called Robstown. And you’d be sort of right and sort of wrong as we are going to explain in this detailed guide about poker in the Lone Star State.
On the positive side, live poker is booming in Texas. Over the past few years, dozens of card rooms have opened in parts of the state. But, as you're about to learn, the poker rooms in Texas operate differently than other states, and some argue they aren't even legal.
Is Poker legal in Texas?
Despite being the birthplace of Texas Hold’em and the home state of the late poker legend Doyle Brunson, real money poker in Texas exists in a legal gray area.
Traditional casino-style gambling is prohibited, but dozens of private poker clubs operate under a unique model: they don’t take a rake, instead charging hourly seat fees or membership dues. This has fueled a booming live poker scene in cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin.
Online poker, however, remains fully illegal in the Lone Star State. There are no licensed real-money poker sites, so online play is restricted to social free-to-play apps. Legislative efforts to formally legalize poker, both online and live, have repeatedly stalled, often blocked by conservative lawmakers and competing gaming interests.
Can You Play Online Poker in Texas?
Unfortunately, Texas has some of the strictest gambling laws in the country. Not only are Texans banned from playing poker online within state boundaries, they can’t use the internet for any form of gambling. If that wasn’t disturbing enough, we have some equally bad news.
There are no current plans to legalize online poker. There isn’t even a bill up for vote and state lawmakers aren’t pushing for legislation on this issue.
Residents of Texas can still play poker online on free-to-play social products such as the WSOP Poker App, Replay Poker and GTO Wizard Play Mode.
Is Online Poker likely to become legal in Texas?
You can never say never when it comes to legalized gambling, even in a conservative state such as Texas. After the Supreme Court struck down a federal law that prevented most states from offering legal sports wagers in 2018, anything is possible.
But the reality of the situation is that you shouldn’t expect it to happen any time soon. As mentioned, there aren’t any pro-online poker bills awaiting a vote, or even a discussion. It’s all going to move slowly, but hopefully one day lawmakers in the state will one day see the potential of Texas online poker.
Live Poker Rooms in Texas
There aren’t any legal online poker sites in operation, but the state of Texas has a number of action-packed card rooms. In fact, you could argue that the Lone Star State has become the best place in the world to play poker.
But the rooms don't operate the same way in which they do elsewhere. Since gambling is technically illegal except on some Indian reservations, there are no traditional brick-and-mortar poker rooms inside casinos like you see in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and just about anywhere else.
Instead, the poker rooms operate as membership-based clubs and offer poker exclusively. No slot machines, table games, or sportsbooks. The rooms don't take rake out of any pots as that would be indisputably illegal according to Texas law. Players pay a monthly membership and/or hourly seat fee to play in the games.
Best Live Poker Rooms in Texas
The booming private poker club scene in Texas offers some of the best live action in the country. From high-stakes cash games to packed nightly tournaments, these clubs deliver a real poker experience across cities like Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.
Top Austin Poker Rooms
Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. And it appears many of the city's newest residents are also avid poker players because the poker scene is on the rise.
- 52 Social Club (2400 S Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Round Rock, Texas)
- Palms Social (9070 Research Blvd, Suite 105)
- Texas Card House Austin (13376 N Hwy 183, Suite 605)
- The Lodge Card Club (1401 S IH 35 Frontage Road, Suite 130, Round Rock, Texas)
Top Dallas Poker Rooms
The card rooms in the city of Dallas have faced some strong opposition from lawmakers who believe poker clubs are illegal in Texas. Still, the game is thriving in the area, at least until it all gets shut down, if it does.
- Governors Lounge (6700 Denton Hwy, Watauga, Texas)
- Poker House of Dallas (1676 Regal Row)
- Shuffle 214 (11411 E. Northwest Hwy, Suite 111)
- Texas Card House Dallas (11834 Harry Hines Blvd, #135)
- Watauga Social Lounge (6531 Watauga Rd, Suite 110C, Watauga, Texas)
Top Houston Poker Rooms
Without question, Houston is one of the best places in the world to play poker. The city has a number of action-packed card rooms, and the tournaments are growing in popularity.
- 52 Social South (18313 Egret Bay Blvd. Suite A)
- 101 Poker Club Katy (20900 Katy Fwy, Suite N-1, Katy, Texas)
- 101 Poker Club Richmond (9371 Richmond Avenue)
- Legends Poker Club (9275 Richmond Avenue, Suite 101)
- Prime Social Poker Club (7801 Westheimer Road)
- SoHo Poker Club (11460 Fuqua Street, Suite #300)
- Spades Poker Club (20798 Gulf Fwy, Suite 900, Webster, Texas)
- Texas Card House Houston (1411 Spring Cypress Rd, Spring, Texas)
Top San Antonio Poker Rooms
There's far more to San Antonio than the Riverwalk district and NBA basketball. The city has become one of the hottest places in the Lone Star State to play some cards.
- Abby J Card House (23535 IH-10, Suite 3002)
- Alamo Card House 2 (9323 Perrin Beitel Rd. #103)
- Rounders Card Club (3723 Colony Drive, Suite 101)
- San Antonio Poker Palace (15058 San Pedro Ave)
- Wicked River Poker Room (6713 Northwest Loop 410)
Other Notable Poker Rooms in Texas
You won't just find poker in the major cities across the Lone Star State. There are some quality card rooms in places that are a bit off the beaten path, but worth the trip if you're a serious player.
- Alpha Social Card Club (105 E Scott Ave., Wichita Falls, TX)
- Heart of Texas Social Club (6500 Woodway Drive, Woodway, TX)
- KoJack's Poker Club (3205 West Cuthbert Ave, Suite B-9, Midland, TX)
- Stacks Social Club (5004 Frankford Avenue, Suite 500, Lubbock, TX)
- West Texas Card House (10007 Slide Rd., Suite 103, Lubbock, TX)
Major Poker Tournament Series in Texas
Texas hosts several high-quality poker series, ranging from weekend tournaments to regional festivals. These events attract local grinders and serious players, delivering substantial guarantees and competitive structures throughout the year.
5 Poker Tournament Series to Play
| Series Name | Buy-in Range | Game Variations | Dates | Venue |
| Houston Poker Open | $150–$1,100 | NLHE, PLO | Typically May–June | Houston Poker Club |
| Dallas Poker Challenge | $175–$1,500 | NLHE, PLO, Mixed | April–May | Dallas Eagles Club |
| Austin Poker Classic | $125–$1,000 | NLHE, PLO | September–October | Austin Poker Club |
| San Antonio River City Poker Series | $150–$850 | NLHE, PLO | July–August | San Antonio Card Club |
| Texas Hold’em Festival | $200–$1,200 | NLHE, PLO | November | Texas Card House (various) |
How Live Poker Rooms work in Texas
Poker laws are quite different than standard gambling laws in Texas, but there’s still a bit of confusion that no one seems to be able to settle. There are only two land-based casinos with slot machines, but there are dozens of poker rooms, but they don’t operate the same way poker players outside the state are accustomed to due to those pesky gambling laws.
Under Texas Penal Code 47.04 gambling is generally illegal unless it occurs in a "private place," no person receives a profit other than personal winnings, and all players have equal chances of winning.
To stay within this legal gray area, Texas poker rooms operate as membership-based clubs. They typically charge players hourly seat fees or monthly memberships instead of taking a rake from the pot.
While the state hasn't officially approved this model, many venues believe it complies with the letter of the law, and so far, most have been allowed to operate openly despite occasional legal challenges.
You can read up on some of our articles in regards to Texas poker:
Texas Card House Dallas Owner Discusses Loss of Business Permit
Andrew Neeme, Brad Owen, Doug Polk Purchase Houston Poker Room
Texas
- Live Poker is allowed
- Online Poker is forbidden
- Online Casino is forbidden
- Sports Betting is forbidden
Situation of Online Poker in Texas
Texas may be the birthplace of No-Limit Hold’em, but when it comes to playing poker online for real money, the Lone Star State remains firmly locked out. Despite the game’s rich history and passionate player base, online poker is not regulated or legal under Texas law.
No operators are licensed to offer real-money poker online, and there’s been little political momentum to change that.
Attempts to bring online poker legislation to the table have consistently stalled, and the current political climate makes future regulation unlikely in the short term. For now, Texas players must head to live cardrooms, play on free-to-play social poker apps, or wait for meaningful change.
Online Poker Sites in Texas
Real money online poker sites like PokerStars, BetMGM, and WSOP.com, are not available in Texas due to current gambling laws.
While these popular brands operate in several regulated US states, Texas players can’t legally access them for cash games or tournaments.
However, Texans still have options: social poker platforms such as Replay Poker, WSOP Social, and GTO Wizard Play Mode offer legal, free-to-play alternatives until regulation changes. These platforms don’t offer real-money rewards but do provide a safe, accessible way to enjoy online poker in the Lone Star State.
Texas Poker Legality FAQs
Is poker legal in Texas?
Real money online poker is not legal or regulated in Texas. Live poker is available to play under specific conditions. Poker clubs operate in a legal gray area by charging membership or seat fees rather than taking a rake, in compliance with Texas Penal Code 47.04.
Can I play online poker legally in Texas?
No, real money online poker is not legal or regulated in Texas. There are no licensed sites like PokerStars or WSOP.com available to Texas residents.
Are there legal alternatives to real money poker online in Texas?
Yes, you can legally play on free-to-play platforms such as WSOP Social, Replay Poker, or GTO Wizard’s Play Mode, which offer games with no real-money betting.
Is PokerStars available in Texas?
No, PokerStars is not licensed or legal to operate in Texas at this time.
Can I play on GGPoker or WSOP.com in Texas?
No, WSOP.com is only available in select regulated states and not accessible in Texas, while GGpoker is not yet available to play directly in the US.
Can I play on Global Poker in Texas?
Global Poker operates under a sweepstakes model, but the legality of this approach is under scrutiny. We recommend playing on free-to-play platforms such as WSOP Social, Replay Poker, or GTO Wizard’s Play Mode, which offer games with no real-money betting.
Can I play on America’s Cardroom in Texas?
ACR is an offshore site with no US regulatory oversight, meaning player protections and fair play standards may not meet regulated expectations. We recommend playing on free-to-play platforms such as WSOP Social, Replay Poker, or GTO Wizard’s Play Mode, which offer games with no real-money betting.
Do I need to be 21 to play poker in Texas?
Yes, most poker clubs require players to be at least 21 years old to enter and play.
What kinds of poker games are legal in Texas?
All player-banked formats such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud are allowed in live settings, provided no rake is taken and operations follow local laws.
How do Texas poker rooms differ from elsewhere?
In most land-based card rooms, the business takes a rake out of each cash game pot. In Texas, however, doing so would be illegal and could potentially land the operators in jail. Instead, the rooms in Texas operate as membership clubs and charge seat fees and monthly membership fees to replace rake.
Can I get in trouble for playing online poker in Texas?
There’s no record of individuals being prosecuted for playing on offshore poker sites, but these platforms operate illegally and without consumer protections. Safer, legal alternatives include social and play-money poker sites.
Was Texas hold'em really invented in Texas?
Yes. During the 1900s, the game of Texas hold'em was invented in a small town called Robstown, Texas. But it didn't become noticed around the country until the late 1960s when poker players in Las Vegas began playing the game.
Who is the greatest Texan poker player in history?
There are many legendary players such as Johnny Moss and TJ Cloutier. But it's hard to argue against Doyle Brunson, the 10-time WSOP bracelet winner, being the best of all-time from the state.
Is it true that Doyle Brunson was a basketball star before becoming a poker pro?
Yes. "Texas Dolly" played college basketball at Hardin Simmons College in Abilene, Texas for two seasons from 1951 to 1953. He averaged 9.2 points per game in 61 games played. The future poker star was in line to be drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers before suffering an injury. That's when he decided it was time to play cards for a living.