Best Legal Casinos In Texas
Texas maintains a conservative stance on gambling, with limited options for local casinos and no provisions for online gaming. Nevertheless, Texans can legally access online casinos that provide a wide range of games to Texas residents and visitors. This includes popular table games and slots, as these best legal casinos in Texas are popular for their ease of use and secure transaction methods.
Are There Real Money Online Casinos In Texas In 2025?
Texans have many legal real money online casinos to enjoy. Slots.lv is a well-regarded platform providing a safe and exciting online situation. It’s the ideal gambling site for college kids, adults, and high rollers in Texas.
Are Casinos In Texas Legal?
In Texas, most forms of casino gambling are illegal, governed by strict state laws found in the Texas Penal Code § 47.01 et seq. The only exceptions are for certain tribal casinos operating under federal law, specific venues offering limited gambling options such as bingo and horse racing, or online gambling sites outside of Texas jurisdiction.
The Texas Racing Commission and the Texas Lottery Commission regulate gambling activities within the state. Despite several legislative proposals to expand casino gambling, none have passed, keeping the state's stringent anti-casino laws in place. The regulatory bodies ensure that any form of gambling within Texas adheres strictly to state law.
Texas Casinos
There are no in-person casinos in Texas, so gamblers have to venture to another area to place table games and slots or they can play both online. While this isn’t ideal, the nearby states with casinos make it a feasible option for Texas residents near the border.
Casinos Near Texas Universities
| University | Casino Name | Distance from University | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) | Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, NM | 8 miles | I-10 W |
| Lamar University | Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel, LA | 26 miles | I-10 E |
Casinos Near Major Cities In Texas
Whether at George Bush airport or DFW, there are a few places close enough to get you gambling. All around major Texas cities, you can get to a casino in about two hours.
Downtown Houston
- Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel, LA (125 miles, 2 hours via I-10 E)
- Golden Nugget Lake Charles, LA (140 miles, 2 hours 15 minutes via I-10 E)
Dallas/Fort Worth Area
- WinStar World Casino and Resort, OK (85 miles, 1.5 hours via I-35 N)
Casinos Near Military Bases In Texas
- Fort Bliss, El Paso: Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, NM (15 miles, 20 minutes via US-54 W and I-10 W)
- Joint Base San Antonio: Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino (170 miles, 2.5 hours via I-35 S and US-57 W)
Best Legal Texas Casino Bonuses
In Texas, online casino players enjoy slot rebates and free play promotions that enhance their gaming experience. Casinos in the Lone Star State often offer rebates on losses incurred while playing slots, providing players with a safety net and encouraging them to try new games. Additionally, free play promotions allow players to test out slots without risking their own funds. These are some of the best legal Texas casino bonuses that add excitement and variety.
Best Deposit Methods For Texas Online Casinos
The popularity of cryptocurrency and credit card deposits at Texas online casinos are bar none to any other money transfer type. Texans are increasingly turning to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for their robust security and privacy, essential in a state where independence is highly valued. Meanwhile, credit cards offer a no-nonsense approach to depositing funds, appreciated for its speed and reliability. This combination ensures that whether in Dallas, Houston, or Austin, players have access to the best deposit methods at online casinos.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Gamble At A Casino In Texas
As specified by state law in Texas, the legal gambling age for casinos is 21 years old for in-person establishments. There are 18+ casinos in Oklahoma that are nearby in-person and many real money 18+ online casinos like Bovada and Slots.lv are available in Texas for players.
Best Mobile Casinos In Texas
Bovada is widely recognized as the best mobile casino for players in Texas, particularly for its exceptional selection of casino games, including live dealer blackjack. This feature allows players to experience the thrill of a real casino from the comfort of their mobile devices. The live dealer blackjack games at Bovada are streamed in high-definition, able to interact with professional dealers in real-time.
This element enhances gameplay and chatting with other participants at the table adds a social aspect to the game that is often missing at mobile online casinos. In addition to live dealer blackjack, Bovada offers other casino games, including slots, roulette, and poker. The platform is user-friendly, with intuitive navigation and a seamless mobile interface, making it easy for players to switch between different games.
Best Casino Apps Available To Texas Players
Texas players can experience the benefits of using social casino apps like Crown Coins in lieu of actual casinos. These apps offer a safe and legal way to enjoy casino games, playing with virtual coins instead of real money. You can buy items in gameplay to win prizes at these free-to-play Texas casino apps, but they do not serve as real money options. If people are looking to play for real money on their phones they should look at the best legal casinos in Texas such as Bovada and BetOnline that don’t have apps that require downloads but are available through mobile web browsers.
Closest Cruise Casinos In Texas
As there are no riverboat casino cruises, Texas residents would have to jump on an international cruise for gambling. Still, this option is available and a way to pay off a vacation if you get lucky. These Texas casino cruise lines depart from ports, primarily Galveston and occasionally Houston, offering a range of cruise itineraries to destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. While in international waters, their ships feature onboard casinos where guests can play real money slots and table games like blackjack and poker, roulette, and more.
| Cruise Line | Port | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean International | Galveston, Texas | To destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico known for their slot machines. |
| Carnival Cruise Line | Galveston, Texas | Cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico, and other destinations with many gaming activities. |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Galveston and Houston, Texas | To the Caribbean with various games and helpful dealers. |
| Princess Cruises | Galveston, Texas | To the Caribbean and Central America with full casinos onboard their ships. |