Texas Gaming Commission
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A Texas Gaming/Gambling License can only be obtained through an authorized government agency. Depending on the type of business, where you're doing business and other specific regulations that may apply, there may be multiple government agencies that you must contact in order to get a Texas Gaming/Gambling License. The Texas Racing Commission Official Website. NEW License and Permit Specialist I posting #476-21-03, opened on Dec. 7, 2020- HQ - Austin, TX. Disclosure: All Commission employees must be eligible for licensing by the Commission and must undergo a criminal history background check.
Introduction to Texas Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Texas slot machine casino gambling consists of two American Indian tribal casinos with Class II competition-style or bingo-style electronic gaming machines. Carnival cruise ships offer onboard casinos when traveling to international destinations.
Texas does not have theoretical payout limits at its tribal casinos. No return statistics are publicly available.
This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.
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Texas Gaming Commission Laws
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Texas*
The minimum legal gambling age in Texas depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 21
- Poker Rooms: 21
- Bingo: 21 in casinos, 18 in churches, and less than 18 with an adult
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
The Texas government and the state’s three federally-recognized tribes have, so far, been unable to negotiate tribal-state compacts. Without these gaming compacts, Texas prohibits tribal casinos from having Class III Vegas-style electronic gaming machines.
However, Texas tribal casinos can offer Class II bingo-style machines. Although these machines appear as traditional slot machines, they are not Class III machines. Players compete for prizes against other players throughout a casino’s gaming floor.
There have been substantial lawsuits by the Texas government to shut down tribal casinos offering Class II gaming, with some successes. Various court filings and rulings regarding the legality of tribal casinos in Texas have continued since the late 1980s.
Texas challenges the legality of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 based on the argument that the federal Restoration Act of 1987 takes legal precedence. This somewhat earlier Restoration Act gave federal recognition to the Tigua and Alabama-Coushatta tribes while also explicitly forbidding gambling.
None of the pari-mutual racetracks in Texas offer electronic gaming machines.
*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in Texas
It is legal to own a slot machine privately in the state of Texas without restriction on its date of manufacture.
Gaming Control Board in Texas
Texas does not have a state gaming commission as it prohibits non-tribal casinos. No tribal-state gaming compact exists. However, the Texas Lottery Commission exists and operates the Texas Lottery.
Casinos in Texas
There are two American Indian tribal casinos in Texas as well as up to five international cruise ships with onboard casinos.
The largest casino in Texas is Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel with 3,300 gaming machines.
The second-largest casino is Naskila Gaming with 365 gaming machines.
Commercial Casinos in Texas
The commercial casinos available in Texas are up to five cruise ships. Onboard casinos are only open while in international waters.
Carnival Cruise Lines operates these cruise ships sailing out of the Port of Galveston.
Tribal Casinos in Texas
The two tribal casinos in Texas are:
- Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel in Eagle Pass located 143 miles southwest from San Antonio.
- Naskila Gaming in Livingston located 74 miles north-northeast from Houston.
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying Texas slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Texas is:
- North: Oklahoma Slots
- East, Arkansas Slots, Louisiana Slots, and the Gulf of Mexico
- South: The country of Mexico
- North and West: New Mexico Slots
Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Texas.
Our Texas Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Texas? If so, join our Texas slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.
There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Texas. Join us!
Payout Returns in Texas
Texas has no theoretical payout limits established as the state prohibits slot machines. Further, no return statistics are available.
Summary of Texas Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Texas slot machine casino gambling consists of two American Indian tribal casinos offering bingo-style video gaming machines. The Port of Galveston offers Carnival cruise ships with onboard casinos open while sailing in international waters.
Neither theoretical payouts nor return statistics exist as Texas prohibits land-based casinos with Vegas-style slot machines.
Texas Bingo Commission Home Page
Annual Progress in Texas Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Texas Gaming Commission
In the last year, there has been little to no change in the slots gaming industry in Texas.
Related Articles from Professor Slots
Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots
- Previous: Tennessee Slot Machine Casino Gambling
- Next: U.S. Virgin Islands Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Are Raffles Legal In Texas
Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC
Texas Gaming Commission Phone Number In Austin
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