Online Poker Real Money Legal Texas

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Jul 14, 2018 A number of measures are pending which may, in the future, introduce online poker to Texas on a state and/or federal level. Studies show that Texas poker players are taking their gambling to offshore poker rooms which is legal to do so. Future Outlook of Online Poker in Texas – Estimated date of legalization: 2020-2021.

Relevant State Code: PEN 47.01 et seq.; Civ. St. 179e

The state that gave Doyle 'Texas Dolly' Brunson his nickname (or at least half of it) actually has little patience for Doyle and his gambling brethren. Texas takes a fairly strict approach to gambling considered illegal by the state. Texas' very broad definition of illegal gambling begins with a definition of what it means to 'bet':

Section 47.01(1)
'Bet' means an agreement to win or lose something of value solely or partially by chance.

That definition is then utilized in the charge of Gambling:

Section 47.02
Gambling
(a) A person commits an offense if he:
(1) 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;
(2) 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
(3) plays and bets for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, balls, or any other gambling device.

Short version: Risking anything valuable on a game, contest or game played with cards, dice, balls (or virtually anything) is illegal in Texas unless the state explicitly permits such activity.

The penalties awaiting those who violate the anti-gambling laws of Texas are right around average for a US state, at least by the letter of the law. Players face separate charges from those who run or profit from illegal gambling activity; if you are a mere participant, your criminal exposure tops out at a class C misdemeanor (refer to this breakdown of charges and sentences in Texas for details). Operators face a variety of more serious misdemeanor charges.

Texas reported 630 gambling - related arrests in 2010 - a high number even in the context of the state's population of ~25.6 million.

What Gambling is Legal in Texas?

There is a state lottery in Texas, pari-mutuel wagering at tracks such as Lone Star Park and a tribal casino operated by the Kickapoo Tribe. There are no commercial casinos in Texas.

Texas law does allow social gambling (Section 47.02(b)). If gambling takes place in a private place, no one profits aside from their winnings and the odds are the same for all players, then you can't be charged with Gambling. A similar affirmative defense is provided for those hosting the game or possessing the equipment.

As for charitable gambling in Texas, the state permits bingo and raffles to be conducted by qualified organizations. See this FAQ from the Texas Attorney General for more information on charitable gambling in Texas..

How Can I Legally Play Poker Under Texas Law?

Lucky Eagle Casino (operated by the Kickapoo) claims to operate Texas' 'only legal LIVE poker room' and we could find nothing to disprove that claim.

Private games of poker conducted in accordance with the conditions for social gambling outlined in the last section are legal in Texas. The stakes involved do not seem to have any bearing on the legality of the game.

Charitable poker is not permitted under Texas law. Poker of any sort does not qualify for the charitable exception to Texas law.

The issue of online poker is a murkier one for players. Playing poker online would likely qualify as prohibited gambling under a literal reading of Texas law (although it would easily meet two of the three conditions that exempt social gambling from the law), but the risk of criminal exposure for the average online poker player seems minimal. Each individual is, of course, responsible for gauging such risk on their own before engaging in any activity that could be considered illegal.

Does Texas Outlaw Online Poker Rooms or Online Casinos?

Not directly. Texas law does make it a crime to communicate gambling information, a charge that was not designed to apply specifically to the Internet but that could certainly be read by a reasonable person as applicable to gambling online:

Section 47.05
Communicating Gambling Information
(a) A person commits an offense if, with the intent to further gambling, he knowingly communicates information as to bets, betting odds, or changes in betting odds or he knowingly provides, installs, or maintains equipment for the transmission or receipt of such information.

As written, the law could likely only be applied to operators and not to players. Both players and operators should, however, be aware that Texas authorities likely consider online gambling as no different from land-based gambling when it comes to the law. As this opinion from the Texas Attorney General regarding online trivia contests suggests, gambling that takes place in the state either physically or virtually is equally subject to Texas law.

Texas Gambling Laws: Fun Facts
Some carnival contests can award prizes (limit $25 value) for activities that might otherwise be in violation of Texas law (Section 47.01(C)).

There used to be three tribal casinos in Texas; two were shuttered after legal battles between tribes and the state.

Texas & Online Poker Laws: Latest Developments

Rep. Joe Barton - the sponsor of a bill currently in the US House that would regulate online poker - represents the State of Texas.

There has been virtually zero talk of regulating online poker sites or online gambling at the state level in Texas.

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Will Texas Seek to Regulate Online Poker?

Probably not. Several groups - including the state GOP and the Dallas chapter of the NAACP - are actively working to roll back gambling in the state, with the Texas Lottery serving as their primary target. Recent primary elections in Texas dealt a significant blow to supporters of gambling expansion.

That's not the sort of environment one would describe as conducive to passing online poker regulation. With little to no public support, a lack of any advocate in government and the absence of a casino industry to press the issue, it's safe to conclude that the chance of Texas passing online poker regulation is close to nil, and certainly near the bottom among US states as a group.

What is a Freeroll Poker?

Freeroll poker is the best way for new players to play poker online and start building a bankroll. After all, freeroll poker allows those new to the game to play online poker tournaments at the best online poker sites for free. While these freeroll poker tournaments cost nothing to enter, they do, however, offer small prize pools for the winners.

Many players have built up poker bankrolls playing Texas hold ‘em and other poker games at free poker sites. To show that it can be done, some well-known poker pros have even taken up the freeroll poker challenge. They subsequently show poker novices that it’s possible to enhance their poker skills and review their play without first having to play real money poker games. In other words, poker freerolls bonuses are a low risk way of gaining experience at the online poker tables. They do this while opening the doors for many potentially lucrative ventures at the poker tables.

In addition to free poker tournaments, new poker players have other great ways to help them learn the game without spending real money. One of these freeroll poker options include using play money to gain experience at ring games. The skills they learn at these play money poker tables they can later apply at real money online ring games. This includes such games as Texas hold ‘em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud and Razz.

Professional Poker Players Who Got Their Start Playing Freerolls Only

Online poker phenom Annette Obrestad of Norway won millions of dollars in her poker career. However, when she began to play poker online in her teenage years, she started by playing freeroll poker at the best online poker sites. She was not old enough to deposit poker money on her own, so she played free poker tournaments to start building a bankroll. As she improved and earned real money, she moved up in stakes, ultimately collecting more than $500,000 on PokerStars and several hundred thousand dollars on other sites before she cashed out. She also took advantage of other poker bonuses and maxev options along the way, including rackeback.

Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, founder of Full Tilt Poker and longtime poker pro, took on a freeroll poker challenge to prove it could be done. He decided to build a $10,000 bankroll playing online poker at free poker sites without any money in his account. Ferguson accomplished this over the course of 2006 and 2007, and he had to start by playing freeroll poker only. He took free poker tournaments very seriously, too. It initially took him a few weeks to earn his first $2 in real money. When he got that amount to $22, Ferguson then played micro-stakes real money poker games, $1 tournaments, and ultimately met his goal.

Disciplined Bankroll Management Key

These are not a few isolated incidents, only the most publicized. The internet population of successful high stakes players is filled with players who won free poker tournaments and then used disciplined bankroll management and improving skills to progress in stakes. Moreover, the experience subsequently gained is more valuable than anything else in the learning process. That’s because it teaches the discipline and patience that are vital in becoming and remaining a successful poker pro.

Just remember, poker freerolls play very differently than real money poker games. Winning freerolls doesn’t mean you’ll be a successful real-money player, but it is a solid start if used to move slowly up in small buy-in tournaments going forward.

US Poker Sites with Great Freerolls

Freerolls are tougher to find in 2020 than in previous years. PokerStars always offers freeroll poker – every day at various times of the day. And some of the sites in New Jersey and Nevada put freeroll tournaments on their schedules. But offshore sites have removed many of their freeroll tournaments due to an abundance of players competing who would sometimes overload their servers.

BetOnline used to have lucrative daily freerolls but withdrew them at the beginning of 2018. Instead, players making their first poker deposit on BetOnline can take advantage of a New Player Freeroll bonus that offers up to $10,000. It runs on the second Sunday of each month, and new players are given a free ticket to enter. There is also a Happy Hour Freeroll every Monday evening. However, it pays out in chips that can only be used on the live casino part of the site.

Ignition Poker also removed many of its freeroll poker games, though it does offer a weekly $2,500 freeroll tournament every Thursday for players who participate in the free rewards program and have earned Chrome status.

Likewise, 888 poker offers daily freeroll Texas hold ‘em tournaments. In fact, up to $50,000 in prizes are up for grabs at 888 poker every week.

These represent just some of the incredible poker bonuses available for players wanting to visit the best online poker sites for free, and play free poker tournaments, while having the chance to win real money.

Online Poker Real Money Legal In Nevada

Legal Poker Rooms and States

If located in New Jersey, PokerStars is a great option for those players who would like to play poker freerolls. These are offered on a regular basis and can be found in the tournament lobby in brown lettering.

Legal Poker Sites Texas

Players in New Jersey and Nevada will find freerolls on the WSOP poker site. There is a daily $100 freeroll bonus, though player numbers are limited to 600 each on a first-come basis. There is also a monthly Hero Freeroll bonus offered to verified members of the US Armed Forces, police departments and fire departments in the US.

When the new poker sites launch online in Pennsylvania, there will likely be numerous freeroll poker bonuses to lure new players and introduce them to the poker sites. Regardless there are plenty of options for online poker.

US Poker Sites with the “Best Value” Freerolls

Since many offshore sites have removed most of their freerolls, it is best to take advantage of any that appear on BetOnline or Ignition Poker. And if located in New Jersey or outside of the US, PokerStars has the absolute best value freerolls.

It should be noted that players have a lot of influence with online poker sites. They want to keep their US poker customers. Therefore, it’s important to review these sites and let them know if you’d like to see more freeroll poker games. Contacting customer service or tagging the sites on social media, such as on Twitter, is a good way to review these poker rooms. It’s also a good way to let them know how you feel. And that you’re more likely to play on their sites and deposit poker money if there are freeroll bonuses and opportunities available.