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Written by: Filip Gromovic Reviewed by: Nashon Khamala
Are you searching for the best online casino in Texas, or simply eager to know the legal status of gambling in the state? The first thing you must know is that real money casino gaming is still not legal in Texas. However, Texas players have several other legal options to flex their muscles, including social and sweepstakes casinos. We will tell you everything you must know about the limitations and opportunities for playing online casino games in Texas.
Casino promotions updated: February, 2026
Texas online gambling has rapidly spread across the state, and you have literally hundreds of options, with many sites featuring quality payment options, bumper rewards, entertainment and solid gaming sessions. So whether you are a fan of online slots, table games, or live dealer titles, you can be sure that our list of best Texas online casinos will match up to your expectations. This guide aims to expose the top 5 online gambling platforms of 2026 in Texas and put them into proper perspective.
Golden Lion is one of the best online casinos offering Texas players a vast variety of games (300), including online slots, blackjack, poker, and live dealer games. The site also supports credit cards, cryptocurrencies, and e-wallets for deposits and withdrawals. Its standout feature is its attractive casino offers, especially for new players looking to maximize their starting bankroll. The casino also features games from top software providers such as Vivo Gaming and Betsoft.
LuckyTiger is one Texas online casino site that takes its VIP program quite seriously and this is also one of its core features. Its jungle adventure theme is also very evident when you go to the website. It has over 230 casino games available in Texas, including slots, table games and specialty titles like Keno and Bingo.
Its payment section also doesn’t disappoint, as it accepts cryptocurrencies, credit cards and bank transfers. It has a three-tier welcome bonus of 260%, 280% and 300% on 100% cashback for the first two deposits and 50% for the last.
Bovada provides a large variety of online slots and table games, along with poker options and a comprehensive sports betting section. Here you will be able to deposit using credit cards, cryptocurrencies, and e-wallets. One of Bovada’s standout features is how it integrates legal sports betting with online casino games, allowing you to easily switch between both modes. It is also known for its swift payouts and 24/7 customer service.
Café Casino is certainly one of the best online casinos in Texas, especially because of its penchant for offering Texas players huge wins. Though it is a sister site to Bovada, it does not focus on sports. Instead, it places a bulk of its attention on playing online casino games. Its payment methods are user-friendly and consist of names that you’ll easily relate to. If you are looking for life-changing wins, then this is the place for you.
Online poker lovers in Texas will certainly find Ignition Casino very attractive, as it is regarded as one of the best in that area. Though there is a bias towards online poker, it is still seen by many as a well-balanced site with 700+ games to explore.
It also has 30+ live Blackjack tables that have earned a place all over the country for their immersive excitement. Its partnership with the likes of RTG and Genesis Gaming has ensured that players in Texas are bound to enjoy the best of games.
These best Texas online casino sites all offer their own special features, ranging from generous casino offers to exciting games.
Most forms of real money in Texas gambling are still illegal in the Lone Star State. The last attempt to legalize online gambling was in 2023 with the HJR 137 bill by Rep. Charlie Green. It didn’t garner enough legislative backing to materialize, notwithstanding the massive support across the state. However, all hope is not lost, as proponents of the bill to legalize online forms of online gambling can try again in 2026.
The bill proposed the legalization of sports betting and casinos, while placing a limit on the number of gaming house licenses at 10. Also, the bill proposed a 15% tax for operators in this sector. A previous bill, HJR 134, attempted to push for the legalization of sports betting. It also didn’t scale through the Texas legislature.
Previous attempts to legalize online gambling in TX have all faced strong resistance from the President of the Senate, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, including bills backed by prominent figures like Rick Perry and Jerry Jones.
It is not all gloom and doom for Texans. There are still a handful of casino games available in Texas that have been legally approved for residents of the state. For example, there are the state lotteries and bingo, which have been held since 1992. Players can purchase tickets from thousands of retailers scattered all over the state. Bingo is available in licensed halls and state establishments. There is also the option for social and sweepstakes casinos. Vegas-style titles like slots and table games can be legally played here, albeit for free. Nevertheless, there is still the prospect of winning real cash in sweeps.
As of 2026, there is still no Texas real money casino site legally available where players can wager real cash for a chance of multiplying their bets. Also, Texas has yet to establish a regulatory body for online casino gaming. Therefore, every platform offering punting opportunities to Texans is usually an offshore casino site, and there are a whole lot of them out there for you to choose from. If you must gamble via this route, ensure you scrutinize the site for credibility. Alternatively, you can stick with Texas sweepstakes casinos, which operate a model that allows them to bypass the regulatory roadblock.
The overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) by the Supreme Court in 2018 opened the way for states to write their own sports betting laws. The following year, two bills were introduced to legalize sports betting in Texas. Several other bills have been introduced since then, but have all been turned down. In July 2024, the North Texas Commission opened an application window for a new committee to explore the potential impact of expanding wagering in the state. The February 2026 HJR137 is the latest push to legalize sports betting. If approved, it would go on the November 2026 ballot for all Texans to decide if it’s what they want.
“Texas remains one of the most restrictive states for gambling expansion, primarily due to strong conservative opposition and concerns about social costs. However, the economic pressure from neighboring states’ gaming revenue could eventually shift the political landscape,” says Dr. Michael Collins, Professor of Gaming Law at UNLV’s International Gaming Institute.
Source: University of Nevada, Las Vegas – International Gaming Institute (https://www.unlv.edu/igi)
Historically, Texas has not been receptive to wagering. However, that is changing and now there are sites in Texas where you can legally enjoy Vegas-style titles. The options available are diverse and cut across popular game types. If you want to wager in Texas, here are the popular options that will be available to you.
There are two tribal casinos in the state. These structures are located on tribal lands and are legally allowed to operate. The first of the two is Naskila Gaming, which offers electronic bingo titles. The second and the biggest in the state is the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel, located close to the Mexican border. It has a large library of over 3,000 titles.
After the launch of the Texas Lottery in 1992, the number of titles offered has continued to expand. The first step in participating in the chance to win huge prizes starts with buying lottery tickets through licensed retailers. Lotteries are very popular among Texans and bring with them the thrill of anticipation, which is what many punters seek in traditional casinos. Notwithstanding its popularity, buying lottery tickets online is still not possible, similar to online gambling in Delaware where restrictions also apply.
You can legally place a bet on horse racing in Texas. However, for you to participate in the fun, you must be physically present at one of the four racetracks in the state. The form of betting allowed here is pari mutuel. There is currently no means of doing so through websites, unlike in some neighboring states. In pari mutuel, the winners divide the loser's bets after removing the operator's commission.
It may sound surprising, even shocking, to many that there are online poker room options in Texas that operate under strict regulations. For these rooms to operate legally, they must be in a private location, give all players an equal chance of winning, and only the players benefit financially.
Many of them look like real money sites, except that here, bettors play for free with virtual coins. However, social casino sites have a dual coin system where players in Texas can play with a second type of coin called the sweeps coin (SC), which can also be redeemed for gifts or real money.
"The sweepstakes model operates in a legal gray area by utilizing a two-currency system that technically complies with sweepstakes laws rather than gambling regulations. This model has withstood legal challenges in multiple states, though it remains subject to potential regulatory changes," explains Sarah Martinez, Gaming Compliance Attorney at Ifrah Law.
Source: Ifrah Law - Gaming & Interactive Entertainment Practice (https://www.ifrahlaw.com/our-work/gaming/)
Playing online in Texas is straightforward. The first step is to find the best site with the types of games that you love to play. Also, pay attention to the bank options and the security features they have put in place to safeguard the information about their members. Once you have picked a website you find appealing, follow the steps below to start playing.
Texas online gambling sites are the window to exploring virtually all forms of titles. Depending on the site you visit, you may find categories for different types of games, or you may see a streamlined catalog. Here are the most popular titles you will find at Texas online casinos.
This is a staple and one of the oldest forms of gambling. They usually make up the most types of games you will find in traditional wagering houses. It is easy to understand and play. Just place a bet and spin the reels. If you land a winning combination, your bet is multiplied by the number on the paytable. Whether you are visiting money online casinos or Texas sweepstakes sites, it is almost unlikely that there will be no slots there. Some platforms have thousands of them, while others add new titles every week.
This is one of the most famous table titles played with Joker cards. The goal is to have the number close to 21. Some Texas social casino sites have different forms of it on their menu, and best social casinos offer multiple variants.
Played on a spinning table partitioned into different numbers. Players bet on the number that the ball will stop on after the wheel stops spinning. Different variations have emerged over the years, including French, European and American roulette.
From poker to video poker, the rules remain the same: get a better hand after the cards are dished compared to your opponent to win. The emergence of variants has added fun to the experience, and you can also enjoy a casino birthday bonus at many platforms.
Land-based establishments provide the old-school experience. Beyond just the thrills of landing big wins, the buzzing interior also provides the opportunity for social interactions. Notwithstanding the recent incursion of Texas casino online options, which has made gaming more flexible, it still cannot be compared to the social interactions of land-based gaming houses.
Unfortunately, there are only two brick-and-mortar casinos in the state where you can wager with real money. Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel provides a broader betting experience with over 3,000 slot machines, a bingo room and a private poker room. It is located two hours from San Antonio, which many residents may find inconvenient to access.
Naskila Casino in Livingston, on the other hand, is located ninety minutes north of Houston and is run by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe. The only setback here is that they only have a Class II gaming license, which restricts them to bingo titles. Land-based poker rooms in this state function as private clubs.
The online gambling laws in Texas prohibit any activity related to virtual wagering with real money. Therefore, all mobile gaming houses are banned, although you will still find offshore sites that open their doors to Texans.
Also, operators are finding and exploiting loopholes in the law to operate legally. For example, while the lottery is legal in the state, operating it virtually is not. Punters must visit a physical store to purchase a ticket, which may be inconvenient for those not living in close proximity to where tickets are sold.
Some companies are now offering courier services where players can purchase lottery tickets on the Internet. After the punter places an order on their website, an agent goes to a store where the tickets are sold and purchases them on your behalf and has it delivered to you. While this practice is technically not restricted, it may face legal restrictions in the future.
The only legal form of Texas casino online play is through sweeps and social casinos. They are able to avoid the legal restrictions by operating a two-coin system. All games on the platform can be played for free using the Gold Coins, which are usually always freely available to members who complete simple daily tasks. These virtual currencies can also be purchased as packages, which often include a small number of Sweeps Coin (SC).
The SC cannot be purchased and is only freely given. However, playing with them is akin to real money in Texas wagering because the wins earned from using them can be redeemed for real cash.
As long as there is still no room for legal online casinos in Texas, offshore casino sites will continue to operate in the state. These websites are hosted and licensed in other countries, but they offer services to Texans. In a way, they allow residents of the state to enjoy the full thrill comparable to walking into a land-based wagering site. Their collection of games is usually diverse and covers everything from slots to table titles and specialty titles like Plinko, Keno, Scratch Cards, Instant Wins and so on.
The only bit of concern is that since they are not legally licensed to operate, regulated by the Texas Gaming Commission, or monitored by the Consumer Protection Commission, it is hard to get redress if anything should go wrong along the way. Therefore, the responsibility falls on the punter to ensure they scrutinize the credibility of the site properly before making the leap. Important features you should check include
The legal options available to Texans are limited to lotteries and bingo. Also, there are a limited number of land-based establishments compared to the neighboring states. Several other neighboring states have legalized virtual Texas sports betting options, but the legislation still suffers in the state.
Gambling is a form of entertainment. However, the flexibility offered by the best Texas online casino sites often makes it easy for punters to overstep their limits, which can create problems for them, including impacting their social interactions or mounting financial crises.
Always remember that betting is a form of entertainment, and always gamble with what you can afford to lose. It is also a terrible idea to chase your losses, as winning on most betting options is based on luck. Create a budget and only gamble with disposable income that emerges after you have accounted for your basic needs, including food, rent, transport and so on.
If your gambling activities have started to interfere with your daily life, there are lots of resources offered by Texas authorities to help you get back control of your life. National websites like Gamblers Anonymous, National Center for Responsible Gambling (TX chapter), Gamtalk and Gam-Anon all provide resources to help bettors put their activities in check. Feel free to reach out to them for assistance.
Pari mutuel betting first gained legal backing in Texas in 1933. However, in 1937, every form of betting was banned. Efforts to restore its legal status faced roadblocks from 1962 to 1978. It was not until 1987 that Texas voters cast their ballot in favor of legalizing pari mutuel again.
As of 2026, West Virginia, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Michigan are the only states in the nation that have legalized real money sites. Consequently, they are regulated in those states. No such plans are on the horizon for Texas.
Several bills have been proposed for the legalization of sports betting, but have not been successful. The latest bill to be proposed in this regard was in February 2026. Two bills were presented to the house for consideration. Both had clauses for the legalization of sports betting, but neither of them included mobile gaming houses.
One thing is certain: punters in Texas are resilient and will continue to try again and again until they get what they want. Notwithstanding the setbacks that bills to legalize sports betting have faced, it will certainly come up again and again and may one day become a reality.
Filip Gromovic is a senior slots reviewer here at FreeSlots99 with over five years of experience evaluating the latest drops in the world of iGaming.
Being a slot fan himself, Filip approaches slot ratings just the way we like it – professionally, but also from a player’s standpoint.
That enables him to give his unbiased take on the slot’s features, gameplay and design, while only recommending top-tier releases to our readers.
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Having served FreeSlots99 for more than 5 years as a senior content editor and reviewer, Nashon Khamala has extensive knowledge in game slots and iGaming.
His membership in the Editorial Freelancers Association helps him deliver content that reaches both editorial excellence standards and an engaging information level.
By using his expertise in slots games combined with player-focused analysis, Nashon delivers a professional evaluation of slot features and player experiences in his reviews.
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