Many people wonder, "Is gambling legal in Texas?"
But the fact is The Longhorn State remains one of the few states in the U.S. where casinos and commercial gambling are not legal.
Despite widespread public support for expanding gambling options, including sports betting and destination resorts, legislative efforts to legalize such activities have continually stalled. Let's explore the current legal status of gambling in Texas and the political dynamics shaping its future.
In Texas, commercial casinos are prohibited. The only gambling activities allowed are tribal gaming and some charitable gambling.
While other states have made moves to expand legal gambling, Texas lawmakers took steps in the opposite direction during the 2025 regular legislative session. They banned the online sale of lottery tickets and restructured how the lottery is regulated. These actions were seen as signals that there is little appetite for broader gambling legalization in the state.
Perhaps the lottery has been restricted after the unbelievable win that rocked the Texas lottery in 2023.
Legislative Efforts to Make Gambling Legal in Texas
The 2025 legislative session saw efforts to bring the issue of legalized sports betting to voters.
Representative Sam Harless introduced House Joint Resolution 134, a measure that sought to amend the Texas Constitution to allow sports betting. However, it faced significant opposition, especially from Republican lawmakers, and did not advance to a vote. This lack of progress is similar to previous attempts, which failed to meet the two-thirds majority required to amend the state constitution.
There was also talk of putting a casino in Irving, but it never got off the ground.
In short, the political landscape in Texas poses significant challenges for gambling expansion.
Key players, including Governor Greg Abbott, have expressed reservations about legalizing casinos and sports betting, citing concerns over addiction and the potential negative impact on the integrity of sports. Moreover, a group of House Republicans has publicly committed to blocking any measures related to casino and sports-betting expansion.
In fact, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who controls what reaches the Senate floor, has repeatedly said gambling bills “don’t have the votes” and has used his position to block casino and sports-betting measures, effectively stopping them regardless of House support.
Recent Measures May Pave The Road Ahead
One significant legislative change that did pass in 2025 was Senate Bill 3070.
This bill abolished the Texas Lottery Commission, moving oversight of the lottery and charitable bingo to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. It also banned online lottery ticket sales, requiring all purchases to be made in person at licensed retailers.
Despite lobbying efforts from industry groups like the Texas Sports Betting Alliance and the Texas Destination Resort Alliance, who cite polling showing majority voter support, significant hurdles remain. The conservative and religious right, influential in Texas politics, maintains staunch opposition to gambling expansion, citing moral and economic concerns. Additionally, Texas is currently enjoying a budget surplus, lessening the urgency to seek new revenue streams from expanded gambling.
Are Online Casinos Legal in Texas?
Texas law prohibits real‑money online casino gaming (slots, table games, online poker) and also bans in-state online sports betting, with only tightly limited gambling such as the state lottery, charitable bingo, and pari-mutuel racing allowed.
Offshore casino sites that accept Texans operate without state authorization, and players using them have no Texas-level consumer protections or regulatory oversight.
Recent gambling bills have focused on sports betting and land-based destination casinos; none of the 2025 measures would have directly legalized full online casinos or iGaming.
Industry analysts note that Texas is likely to legalize sports betting—if anything—before considering online casinos, and that strong opposition in state leadership means serious movement on iGaming is unlikely before at least the next regular session cycle.
Legislative Activity and Outlook for Gambling in Texas
For any future legislative efforts to succeed, they would need to overcome constitutional barriers and gain the support of key political leaders, a challenging task given the current dynamics. Without a significant shift in political attitudes or unexpected momentum behind a constitutional amendment, it seems unlikely that Texas will see legalized sports betting or casino resorts before the next regular legislative session in 2027.
While public opinion in Texas appears to favor the legalization of sports betting and destination casinos, political and constitutional obstacles continue to block changes to the state's gambling laws.
For now, Texas will remain a state where full-fledged gambling opportunities are limited, leaving proponents to strategize for possible future efforts to expand the industry's footprint.
