States Where Internet Gambling Is Illegal

States that offer legal online gambling. New Jersey Online Gambling. What forms of legal online gambling. Pennsylvania Online Gambling. West Virginia Online Gambling. Indiana Online Gambling. Online gambling is not legal in all states in the United States. In many states, there is some form of ban on online gambling. In two states, Iowa and Hawaii, online gambling is strictly prohibited. Another state with a significant casino industry, but with no real movement toward online poker or gambling legalization. It will join the game sooner rather than later. The states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Louisiana have all passed legislation that specifically prohibits unauthorized forms of internet gambling.

• Is Online Gambling Illegal In The Us
• Why Is Online Gambling Illegal
• States Where Online Gambling Is Illegal
• States Where Internet Gambling Is Legal

Nearly all US state residents, except those from Washington or Connecticut, can legally access licensed offshore online gambling platforms to play online casino games, enter online poker tournaments,.

This is a guide for online poker players in the America who want to know where they can play online poker and when they might be able to play in their home states. For states where online poker is legal, this is a guide for US online poker room reviews, poker sites available in your area, deposit bonuses, and online poker announcements.

US online poker laws seem to be changing monthly since government attorneys announced that the Wire Act cannot be used to prohibit states from allowing online poker. Online poker rooms and online gambling sites are clamoring for state licenses, and the US online gambling landscape is going through a major change.

For a select few Americans, online poker is here already. Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware are leading the United States into the billion-dollar-a-year industry, and many more states are looking to get into the game in the very near future.

By the end of 2015, as many as a dozen states could allow their residents to play on legal online poker sites. That number may be higher if a federal bill, the Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2013, is approved in 2014. But since the odds of that happening are less than hitting a one-outer on the river, all the online poker news concerning legislation is coming from individual states.

American online poker laws are about to go through drastic revision, and US online poker sites will pop up as the laws change. Laws are changing fast, and this guide promises to remain up to date on all possible movements concerning online poker legislation.

A brief overview of each state’s stance on online poker is below, but click through for a full update on the state’s online poker laws, and gambling laws in the state in general.

Alabama

Alabama doesn’t even have a state lottery. It’s home to some of the most morally strict policymakers in the country, so poker is not coming anytime soon. Read more ...

Alaska

Online poker legislation remains frigid in the great white north, but the game has a few fans who are elected officials, and although lawmakers resisted expanding almost any type of gambling in here, online poker has a chance. Read more ...

Arizona

Despite a thriving Indian casino industry — or more like because of it — lawmakers are being cautious with online poker. Also, the governor is a tough opponent of any type of gambling expansion, poker included. Read more ...

Arkansas

Online poker legislation may be far off, but unlike some of its neighboring states, online poker may come to Arkansas with a federal push. Read more ...

California

Online poker will come to California maybe as soon as 2014. A crowded industry split into three factions may delay action on online poker bills already submitted. Read more ...

Colorado

With a steady and strong push from its significant casino industry, online poker legislation is most likely forthcoming in Colorado sometime in 2015. The state is already studying the effects online poker would have. Read more ...

Connecticut

As its neighboring states start to allow their residents access to online poker sites, look for Connecticut to follow suit. As such a small state, it’s a prime candidate to contract with other states for shared player pools. Read more ...

Delaware

As of October 2013, online poker is completely legal, regulated, and live in Delaware. Read more ...

Florida

Two powerful casino forces — the racinos and Indian tribes — face off against a conservative state government intent on preventing gambling expansion. The governor has won the first round. Read more ...

Georgia

The official view toward poker here is as rigid as a Georgia pine. Poker is gambling, and gambling is bad in Georgia. Read more ...

Hawaii

Although one of the few states without any form of legalized gambling, Hawaii is rumored to be looking to get into the online-poker game. Read more ...

Idaho

Completely in the middle ground, there is no pending online poker legislation in Idaho. A grassroots effort would help here. Read more ...

Illinois

Online poker is being talked about by state officials. look for an online poker bill sometime in 2015. Read more ...

Indiana

With a conservative governor and minor casino industry, it’s going to take a political campaign by its online poker players to move online poker forward. Read more ...

Is Online Gambling Illegal In The Us

Iowa

Since 2011, certain lawmakers have pushed for online poker legalization. Now with states going live, watch for Iowa to join the game in 2014 or 2015. Read more ...

Kansas

A significant political shift is necessary for online poker to even be considered in the Sunflower State. Read more ...

Kentucky

Now that the powerful horseracing industry has wedged itself into the multi-state casino industry, watch for online poker legislation to move fast once more states go live. Read more ...

Louisiana

An online poker debate should come to Louisiana in 2014, with significant movement in 2015. Online poker does face some opposition here. Read more ...

Maine

Brand new to the casino game, and with such a pretty face, Maine would make a lovely interstate online poker partner. However, it remains a wallflower. Read more ...

Maryland

With a healthy paranoia that it is missing out on the online poker industry, lawmakers began to push for it in 2013. Look for another push in 2014 and beyond. Read more ...

Massachusetts

Cautiously optimistic is how online poker players in Beantown should feel. Online poker won’t come there as quickly as it should, but it’s likely coming at some point. Read more ...

Michigan

A large casino industry will fuel the push toward online poker. State lawmakers seem to be wary, though. Read more ...

Minnesota

With a strong casino industry, it would seem Minnesota would be further along with online poker legalization than it is. It may catch up soon. Read more ...

Mississippi

An online-gambling bill failed to make it out of committee in 2013, but a multi-billion dollar casino industry will have a say. Read more ...

Missouri

Another state with a significant casino industry, but with no real movement toward online poker or gambling legalization. It will join the game sooner rather than later. Read more ...

Montana

Poker is considered gambling here, and online gambling was outlawed in the state in 2005. With no pending legislation, it may be awhile. Read more ...

Nebraska

Poker-playing multi-billionaire hedge-fund manager Warren Buffett lives here and he hates the thought of online gambling. Poker is sadly included in his categorization. Read more ...

Nevada

Online poker is legal in Nevada, and several rooms are live for real-money play. Read more ...

New Hampshire

For such a small state, New Hampshire has more online poker players per capita than anyone else. Still, there’s no pending legislation. Read more ...

New Jersey

Online poker and gambling is legal in New Jersey. Online poker will be available in November 2013. Read more ...

New Mexico

New Mexico's 20 Indian casinos will have a say in the legislation of online poker here. Tribes have threatened to stop payments to the state if it legalizes online gambling. Read more ...

New York

New York may very well be the fourth state to legalize online poker in 2014. It has the support of the governor, as well as many lawmakers. Read more ...

North Carolina

No real online poker push is coming from North Carolina. Check back once other states start to go live. Read more ...

Why Is Online Gambling Illegal

North Dakota

This was once the first state to try to legalize online poker in 2005; the feds put an end to that. Online poker legalization is on the backburner. Read more ...

Ohio

A state late to the casino game, online poker legalization has a real chance in 2015 or 2016, particularly if Pennsylvania beats Ohio to the market. Read more ...

Oklahoma

This state allows tribes to operate online poker rooms, with one major caveat: They can only do business with people living in other countries. What a rub. Oklahomans will have online poker sooner rather than later. Read more ...

Oregon

Once California begins to offer online poker, watch for Oregon’s Indian casinos to begin applying pressure to lawmakers. They have shown to be a savvy lobbying group. Read more ...

Pennsylvania

With one scrapped bill that would have legalized online poker and gambling, be sure another will come in 2014. Although facing resistance in committee, online poker should be here by 2016. Read more ...

Rhode Island

A prime candidate to partner with Delaware. Industry insiders say a contract is in the works. Read more ...

South Carolina

The online-poker industry faces major resistance here. Any talks of gambling expansion are immediately quashed. Read more ...

South Dakota

Online poker isn’t on the lips of any lawmakers here. But with a strong Indian casino industry, look for that to change in 2014. Read more ...

Tennessee

A strong religious base makes it difficult to move online poker legislation anywhere. Like, harder than shoving a mule through keyhole. Read more ...

Texas

Home of the congressman behind the Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2013, several bills that affect poker, online and otherwise, currently reside in committees. Texas looks like it wants to finally acknowledge the game. Read more ...

Utah

Online poker players in Utah at least have Nevada just over the border. Other than that, Utah is a desert for online poker players. Read more ...

Vermont

The tiny state may be game to contract with Delaware, New Jersey, and/or Nevada and allow its residents access to online poker sites. Once more states allow online poker, watch for Vermont to follow. Read more ...

Virginia

Online poker players must hope for political change statewide in order to eventually access online poker sites. It has a law on the books that outlaws Internet gambling. Read more ...

Washington, D.C.

Online poker was set to come to its citizens in 2013, but politics played its part and it was delayed. Online poker will definitely come to D.C. eventually. Read more ...

Washington

The only state that criminalizes the online poker player, a grassroots movement stemming from that law is growing. Plus, Indian casinos are now in favor of legalization. Read more ...

West Virginia

State officials are most likely looking to contract with other states, probably Delaware. It may happen as soon as 2014. Read more ...

Wisconsin

The Indian casinos have yet to show their hand as to where they stand on online poker. There is no legislative chatter concerning online poker rooms. Read more ...

Wyoming

Lawmakers here are resistant to any form or gambling expansion, including online poker. If recent history is correct, online poker has a tough fight here. Read more ...

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Are we missing something?

With 27.5 million residents, Texas is America’s second most-populous state.
This means that the Lone Star State could make a fortune through gambling taxes.

But Texas doesn’t take advantage of this opportunity because they have
limited casino gaming and live poker.

States Where Online Gambling Is Illegal

Not surprisingly, Texas doesn’t have legal internet gambling either.

But offshore gaming sites still target their large market.

Online Gambling and Texas Law

Texas doesn’t address internet gambling in their criminal code. Furthermore,
they don’t mention the words “computer,” “internet,” or “online.”

But this doesn’t mean that internet gambling is legal here. In fact, the
state’s broad laws make it illegal for offshore gaming sites to operate within
their borders.

We’ll cover this and other important aspects of the state’s online gaming
stance below.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Texas?

Let’s begin with code 47.03 of the criminal code, which states that a person
“commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly does any of the following
acts:”

• Earns profits from a “gambling place.”
• Bookmaking.
• Earns profits from being “a custodian of anything of value bet or offered to be bet.”
• “Sells chances” on any game, contest, or political nomination.
• Sets up and runs a lottery.

The first-time charge for any of these offenses is a Class A misdemeanor,
which is a light punishment for illegal gambling operators.

Nevertheless, it’s clear that Texas doesn’t allow any form of gaming beyond
what they’ve specifically approved. Internet gambling doesn’t fall under this
umbrella, therefore it’s technically illegal in the state.

Why do Gambling Sites Operate in Texas?

As just discussed, offshore gaming sites are not considered legal
in the Lone Star State, but they continue to
operate here for three main reasons:

1. Texas doesn’t have a regulated iGaming market.
2. Texas hasn’t taken legal action against offshore sites.
3. The Texas Constitution doesn’t specifically make internet gambling illegal.

These three conditions are present in most states, which is why most of them
are served by offshore operators.

Even Louisiana, South Dakota, and Washington – which explicitly outlaw online
gambling – have problems with offshore sites.

This means that the threat of legal action is the biggest condition to
whether internet gambling sites serve a state.

Texas has never pursued legal action against offshore sites, and the status
quo is likely to continue for a while.

Will I be Arrested for Gambling Online in Texas?

It’s possible, but there’s almost no chance that you’ll be arrested.

Code 47.02 states a gambling offense occurs if somebody:

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.”
3. “… plays and bets for
   money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, balls, or any
   other gambling device.”

Anybody who commits one of these offenses is subject to a Class C
misdemeanor. Exceptions are made for those who engage in social gambling and /
or are involved in a skill-based contest where everybody has the same chance.

Perhaps an argument can be made that online poker falls into this category
because it’s skill-based. But by and large, internet gambling is illegal in the
Lone Star State.

Nevertheless, they haven’t arrested anybody for playing online casino games
or placing sports bets. This gives us confidence that you won’t be arrested for
the activity.

Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a 2011 opinion that the
Wire Act – a
federal ban on certain types of gambling – only applies to sports betting.

Are Offshore Gaming Sites Safe?

This depends upon the specific site you’re dealing with. But for the most
part, offshore gambling sites are safe.

The risk comes when considering that offshore sites are based outside of the
U.S. This means that they’re neither licensed in America nor directly subject to
U.S. laws.

The matter can be scarier given that a small percentage of nefarious
operators have closed without repaying player deposits..

But here’s the thing: most offshore operators realize the value in repeat
business.

If they don’t have good customer service or process cashouts in a timely
manner, they’ll receive less repeat players. Long story short, you can have
confidence that most internet gambling sites will serve you well.

How Do I Pick the Best Gaming Sites?

To choose safe gaming sites, you should read reviews of any prospective site.
The more reviews you read, the better you’ll be able to make an informed
deposit.

Another thing you should do is visit the site directly and look for certain
aspects. Reviews are great, but it’s even more effective if you do research
yourself.

Here are some key points that you want to look for:

• Longevity and Reputation –

  The longer a site is in business, the more likely it is that they properly serve
  players. And when you combine this with a good reputation (via reviews), you
  have a winning site.

• Game Variety –

  Everybody
  loves a nice variety of games. This is why you want to visit a site and see if
  they have the games / sports lines you want.

• Banking Options –

  If real
  money iGaming is your goal, then you need to make sure that there’s a deposit
  option you can use.

• Customer Support –

  This is
  a key point covered in reviews. You can also visit directly and live-chat with
  customer service to see how friendly and knowledgeable they are.

• Bonuses & Promotions –

  It’s
  always exciting to earn cash on the side of your play. Check out the welcome
  bonus and promotions at any site you’re interested in.

• Bonus Terms & Conditions –

  Click the terms and conditions underneath the welcome bonus to see what wagering
  requirements must be met. The industry standard for online casino bonuses is 40x
  rollover (or 20x bonus + deposit).

Also On This Page

More Gambling Laws in Texas

• Casino Games (Class II Legal)
• Sports Betting (Illegal)
• Poker (Legal)
• Racing Betting (Legal)
• Lottery (Legal)
• Bingo (Legal)
• Charitable Gambling (Legal)
• Social Gambling (Legal)

Casinos: Legal

Texas only has two casinos spread throughout its vast 269,596 square miles.
This includes the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino and Aransas Queen cruise ship.

The Kickapoo Lucky Eagle is located along the Mexican border and offers Class
II gaming. Class II machines are similar to regular slot machines, except that
results are determined by historic horse races or electronic bingo cards
(instead of random number generators).

The Aransas Queen is a huge yacht that began sailing out of Corpus Christi in
2015. They’re only allowed to offer gaming when in international waters.

It remains to be seen how successful the Aransas Queen will be. Texas has had
multiple gambling cruises that have failed over the years.

This includes the Le Mistral, the original gambling cruise ship that set sail
from Galveston in 1988; it went bankrupt in 1994.

Several other Texas gambling cruises have either gone bankrupt or moved to
different states seeking more profitability.

Charitable Gambling: Legal

Under the Charitable Raffle Enabling Act, Texas allows licensed charities to
offer bingo and raffles. Unfortunately, this means that casino nights and Texas
hold’em tournaments are out of the question.

Lottery: Legal

Legalized in 1992, the Texas Lottery sells a wide range of instant and
drawing games. Available games include: All or Nothing, Cash Five, Daily 4, Pick
3, Mega Millions, Powerball, Texas Triple Chance, and Texas Two Step.

Poker: Legal

The Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino has a small poker room. Other than this, the
only ways to play poker in Texas include offshore gaming sites and social games.

Racing: Legal

Texas is one of the few states that offers active horse and dog racing
tracks. They currently have four tracks operating in the state.

Social Gambling: Legal

Code 47.02 of the Texas criminal code includes exemptions for social gaming.
These include the following:

1 – “The actor engaged in gambling in a private place.”

2 – “No person received any economic benefit other than personal winnings.”

3 – “Except for the advantage of skill or luck, the risks of losing and the
chances of winning were the same for all participants.”

As long as the host isn’t profiting from your social gambling function
through a house edge, food, or drinks, the game should be fine. Also, make sure
that no illegal firearms or drugs are on the premises.

States Where Internet Gambling Is Legal

Gambling Venues in Texas

As discussed before, Texas only has two casinos – the Aransas Queen cruise and
Kickapoo Lucky Eagle.

Lucky Eagle is by far the largest of these casinos, sporting over 3,300 Class
II gaming machines. But it’s also in the remote Lucky Pass area on the Mexican
border, making it difficult for many Texans to visit.

Aransas Queen has over 200 gaming machines and some table games. This mega
yacht must reach international waters before gambling commences.

In addition to two casinos, Texas also offers Class II pull tab machines at
parlors in the Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio areas.

These are electronic pull tab machines that look and play like slot machines.
One stipulation to these games is that individual payouts can’t be any larger
than $5.

Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel

794 Lucky Eagle Drive

Eagle Pass, TX 78852

History of Gambling in Texas

Dating back to when U.S. settlers arrived in Mexican Texas, the territory was
filled with brothels, saloons, and gambling halls. This continued long after
Texas became a state in 1845.

Professional gamblers like “Doc” Holliday and “Lottie Deno” Thompkins roamed
the plains of Texas in the mid and late 1800s.

The Lone Star State finally began cracking down on vices in the early 1900s.
Most gambling halls were banned and closed by 1917.

Texas didn’t officially legalize any gambling activities until 1933, when
they approved pari-mutuel betting. Just four years later, the state voted to
shut down pari-mutuel wagering.

The see sawing continued in 1987, when Texas legalized pari-mutuel gambling
for good.

The state also has a strange history with tribal casinos. With help from the
federal government, they shut down the Tigua Tribe’s Speaking Rock casino in
2002.

But the Kickapoo Casino has been in operation ever since 1996 because they
offer Class II gaming. Governor George W. Bush questioned the validity of this
casino, but the Kickapoo won a pre-emptive lawsuit against the state.

Texas also legalized casino cruise ships in 1988, but ships were originally
forced to visit a foreign port of call (Mexican villages) before docking in
Texas. This only lasted a year before Galveston officials got the port of call
portion repealed.

Despite their limited gambling, Texas has had activity on the iGaming
legislative front.

U.S. Rep. Joe Barton has introduced federal online poker legislation twice.
Texas also had two other iGaming bills introduced in 2013, but none of these
efforts came to fruition.

Texas Gambling FAQs

With no specific laws addressing internet gambling and a host of available
offshore sites, Texas iGaming is confusing to many gamblers.

Here are some FAQs we’ve received on the Lone Star State that can help clear
up the matter.

Are Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in Texas?

According to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, daily fantasy sports (DFS)
aren’t legal. Here’s an excerpt from his
January
2016 letter:

“Because the outcomes of games in daily fantasy sports leagues depends
partially on chance, an individual’s payment of a fee to participate in such
activities is a bet. Accordingly, a court would likely determine that
participation in daily fantasy sports is illegal gambling.”

DraftKings, the industry’s largest site, has refused to take this ruling
lying down. They launched a lawsuit against Paxton and continue to operate in
the Lone Star State; FanDuel, however, exited Texas.

State Rep. Richard Raymond introduced legislation that would’ve classified
DFS as a skill based activity, but House Bill 1457 failed to gain any serious
attention.

When Will Texas Legalize Online Gambling?

It could be a decade or more.

Texas isn’t receptive of new forms of gambling. The casinos and gaming
parlors they have skirt state laws by offering Class II machines that operate
through loopholes.

With no commercial casino industry to lobby for internet gambling, it seems
unlikely that the activity will be available any time soon.

Strangely enough, though, Texas has had federal legislative efforts come out
of their state.

U.S. Representative Joe Barton (R-Tex.) proposed the Online Poker Act of
2011, which would’ve legalized online poker on a federal level. But HR-2366
didn’t get any significant attention in Congress.

In 2013, Barton introduced another legislative effort called the Poker
Freedom Act. This also sought to regulate internet poker on a federal level,
while leaving online casino games up to individual states.

The same year saw former State Senator Leticia van de Putte introduce State
Bill No. 1103. This legislation would’ve allowed states to opt in to federally
legalized internet poker.

None of Texas’ iGaming bills have gotten very far. But they do show that
state politicians at least consider the matter.

Looking at Texas today, though, we don’t see them regulating online gaming
for another 10 years.

Why Doesn’t Texas Bust Internet Gambling Sites?

Texas will bust an online gambling operation – they just haven’t shown the
willingness to cross seas to do it.

In 2013, state police raided a
$5 billion online sports betting operation in the North Texas area.

The eighteen-member ring accepted both online and in-person bets, making $200
million in profits from 2007 to 2011.

The main reason why this group was busted is because they operated on US
soil.

It’s an entirely different ballgame to pursue offshore gaming sites operating
in countries like Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica, and Panama. The only state
that has successfully done this is New York, which was backed by the U.S.
Department of Justice.

Because of their size, Texas has the resources to pursue offshore gambling
sites. But like most other American states, they view other things as more
important than chasing gambling sites.

Can I Gamble on my Smartphone or Tablet in Texas?

Gambling on your smartphone isn’t technically legal. But we don’t see you
ever being arrested for it.

Code 47.01 (4) states the following about illegal gambling devices:

“…means any electronic, electromechanical, or mechanical contrivance not
excluded under Paragraph (B) that for a consideration affords the player an
opportunity to obtain anything of value, the award of which is determined solely
or partially by chance, even though accompanied by some skill, whether or not
the prize is automatically paid by the contrivance.”

This could include a smartphone or tablet if Texas felt like pursing mobile
gamblers. But they’ve never arrested anybody for internet gambling, and we don’t
see this changing anytime soon.

Additional Resources

Here’s information on Texas gaming agencies and where you can find the
state’s gambling laws.

This website features many laws related to Texas’ gambling industry.

This page covers multiple gambling-related FAQs with Texas State Attorney
General Ken Paxton.

This page offers a comprehensive look at laws for Texas bingo, general
gambling, lotteries, and racing.

The Texas Racing Commission website features information on the state’s dog
and horse racing industries.

The Future

Texas features most forms of gambling, although they’re very limited in the
casino, pari-mutuel, and poker categories.

The Lone Star State has been conservative on the gambling front ever since
the lawless 1800s. This means that they’re slow to adapt to new forms of gaming.

The same holds true for internet gambling because Texas hasn’t legalized
casino games, poker, or daily fantasy sports.

Surprisingly, Texas has had politicians try to legalize online poker on a
federal level. But these efforts have never earned a serious look.

Odds are that iGaming will never be legalized on a federal level until the
state has commercial casinos. This has been an absolute condition thus far in
regulated states like Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey.

Given that Texas has no immediate plans for casinos, this alone could take 5
to 10 years to happen. Then, we’re looking at a few more years until the Lone
Star State regulates internet gambling.

Until that happens, you’re free to enjoy offshore gaming sites, because Texas
ignores both operators and players.