It’s not currently possible to play at online casinos in Texas for real money, but players in Texas can play at sweepstakes casinos. Sweepstakes casinos allow players to play all their favorite online casino games and can redeem Sweepstakes Coins for cash and other prizes.
In this guide, our experts will cover everything you need to know about the gambling legal landscape in Texas, how to find and play the best sweepstakes casinos in the state, and how to claim a welcome bonus and play for free.
Pretty much all forms of gambling are heavily restricted in Texas. It is not just online casino games. The state also has strict rules for traditional casino games.
While Texas has some of the strictest gambling laws in the US, it’s not impossible to win real money playing casino games in Texas. Texas sweepstakes casinos have thousands of games where you can earn prizes that can be redeemed for real money.
We pride ourselves on being casino experts, but even we can’t give you guaranteed ways to win playing casino games in Texas. However, we can give you some good tips to maximize your chances of winning. Our number one strategy is to play games with high RTP percentages.
Texas gambling law is one of the strictest in the US. All you need to do is look at Section 47.02 of the Texas Penal Code.
This law says it is illegal to bet on the outcome of contests (sports, elections, etc.) or “for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, balls, or any other gambling device.”
Lottery games, bingo, and parimutuel betting are the only forms of legal gambling in Texas. Unfortunately, that doesn't look like it will change any time soon. Multiple sports betting bills have failed in recent years, and there is some support for legal online casinos. In February 2025, Rep. Charlie Green (R) introduced Bill HJR 137, potentially paving the way for online casinos in Texas.
For players in Texas who want to enjoy online casino games, sweepstakes casinos are a perfectly legal and fun way to do so. They offer all the excitement of an online casino, and they're free!
All you need to do to start playing casino games in Texas is choose where you want to play and create an account. The entire process should not take you more than a few minutes. To help you make sure it goes smoothly, we have created a simple step-by-step guide for you to follow below:
Since sweepstakes casinos are the only current option for playing casino games online in Texas, you do not technically need to spend money to play casino games. Texas sweepstakes casinos are free to play with virtual currency.
However, if you run out of coins or want more to play with, you must buy them. Purchasing coins is easy, and most social casinos in Texas have affordable coin packages available for as little as $5 or $10.
To buy coins, you need to:
After you submit your purchase, you should receive your coins instantly. When you are ready to redeem coins, select redeem/withdrawal and repeat the process. Most banking options available for purchases are also available for redemptions.
Texas sweepstakes casinos are available to anyone 18 or older.
The only legal requirements to play casino games at sweepstakes casinos in Texas are that players must be 18+, and play at a legal casino. Texas sweepstakes casinos will ask you to provide a photo of your driver’s license or other government ID to verify that you are old enough.
There is no regulatory body for gambling in Texas as the lottery and horse racing have their own state regulators.
Each of the Texas sweepstakes casinos from our top list above has a robust HTML5 mobile casino site that is responsive and customizable to mobile browsing. You can play from anywhere in the state with internet or a mobile connection.
Several Texas social casinos also offer a mobile casino app that can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for a more immersive mobile experience.
The history of gambling in Texas is long and characterized by government regulation. In the 19th Century, gambling was not regulated in Texas and was closely associated with vice industries. State legislators ultimately stepped in and outlawed most forms of gambling in Texas.
Currently, Texas has not legalized online casino gambling for real money. However, sweepstakes casinos are not classified as gambling sites under Texas law, allowing residents to enjoy these platforms without restrictions.
The federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act enables Tribal casinos across the United States. In subsequent years, three tribes opened casinos in Texas but met considerable resistance from the state government.
A constitutional amendment to authorize a state lottery passes by a near 2 to 1 margin.
The federal Bradley Act, which effectively outlawed sports betting, was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. While sports betting expands across the US, Texas does not follow suit.
The US Supreme Court rules in favor of the Yselta del Sur Pueblo tribe against the State of Texas. The decision enables tribal casinos to offer games, such as bingo, which are not explicitly prohibited by state law.
In February, Representative Charlie Green (R) introduced Bill HJR 137 to legalize casino gambling and sports betting in Texas. This is the latest attempt to legalize gambling in the state after multiple failed attempts in previous years.
Players in Texas might consider offshore casinos because there are no legal, licensed real money online casinos in Texas. We would always recommend against choosing offshore casinos as they are based overseas and do not have to adhere to US laws. If you feel you have been mistreated, you could have no legal recourse when dealing with an overseas online casino.
Instead, we recommend players in Texas choose an online sweepstakes casino. Sweepstakes casinos offer players a fun, safe, and legal way to enjoy their favorite online casino games in Texas.
Due to Texas's restrictive stance on gambling, there are only three land-based casinos in the state. All three are on tribal lands and legally able to offer any casinos that are not expressly prohibited in Texas. As such, the three land-based casinos mostly offer bingo-based games, as traditional slots and table games are prohibited in Texas.
Located 150 miles Southwest of San Antonio, the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino is a fantastic option. With 3,300 games, restaurants, and a top hotel, Lucky Eagle is comparable to top casinos in other more casino-friendly states. Plus, unlike other land-based casinos in Texas, it does offer a poker room!
Based in Livingston, Naskila Casino is just a short one-hour drive from Houston. The casino is known as “the Luckiest spot in Texas.” It has a 30,000 sq ft gaming floor and nearly 1,000 games. Naskila Casino is open 24/7 year-round and is owned by the Alabama–Coushatta Tribe.
Founded in 1993 by the Tigua tribe of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, Speaking Rock is the oldest of the three Texas land-based casinos. Today, it is more known for its concert venue than games, but it still has a good selection of bingo slots.
No, online casinos are not legal in Texas. Players in Texas can instead choose to play at online sweepstakes casinos. Sweepstakes casinos are legal and offer a wide variety of the best online casino games.
Yes, sweepstakes casinos are available in Texas and safe to play! Despite the strict anti-gambling laws, there is no ban on sweepstakes casinos in Texas. All the top sweepstakes and social casino sites are available in Texas.
The best casino will depend on your preference. Are you looking for the best game selection, the most generous bonuses, or perhaps a mobile app? Our experts test every sweepstakes casino based on strict criteria, and we list our recommended casinos in this guide. We highly recommend WowVegas and Stake.us Casino.
Online sweepstakes casinos in Texas are safe, especially as they require no financial commitment from players. Our experts have rigorously tested and scrutinized each of our recommended sweepstakes casinos to ensure they are safe for players in Texas.
Yes! All the best Texas sweepstakes casinos will give you a bonus just for signing up. You can then claim more bonuses thanks to existing customer promos and other offers available to Texas players.