Texas hasn’t legalized online casinos… or any other form of online gambling, for that matter. So how are Texans supposed to play all their favorite slots and table games for a chance to win real money? The answer’s simple: social and sweepstakes casinos.
In this guide, I’ll break down how these popular Texas online casinos work, show you the best sites that are actually worth your time, and cover everything else you need to know about online gambling in the Lone Star State.
Our Top Recommended Texas Online Casinos
I don’t want to waste your time, so here’s the main point of this whole article: When it comes to online casino play in Texas, social casinos (also called “sweepstakes casinos”) are your best option right now.
We’ll dig into how these platforms work in more detail a bit later on, but here’s the quick version:
- They’re legal in Texas (and in nearly every other U.S. state) because they don’t technically offer real-money gambling.
- You can still play all your favorite games: Online slots. Blackjack. Roulette. Video poker. And more.
- And yes, you can even win real cash prizes thanks to the sweepstakes model these sites use.
If that sounds like something you want to try out, here are some of the best Texas online casinos available today:
Table Games, Jackpots
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A Pot Of 1.9 Million Coins
With Progressive Jackpot
Network
Scratch Cards & Live Dealer
With Jackpots
$9.99 Get 2,000 free
Fortune Coins
Are Online Casinos Legal in Texas?
No, they’re not. Texas hasn’t legalized iGaming, and the state doesn’t license or regulate any online casino platforms.
The laws don’t specifically mention “online gambling.” They were written long before the internet existed, but the language that’s already on the books is broad enough to cover it. Under Texas Penal Code, Chapter 47 (“Gambling”), two sections stand out:
- §47.02 makes it an offense to “play and bet for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, balls, or any other gambling device.” That language can easily extend to online casino games. The offense is a Class C misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $500.
- §47.03 targets gambling operators. It prohibits anyone from “operating or participating in the earnings of a gambling place.” This same section could be applied to anyone running or profiting from an online casino that accepts Texas players. It’s considered a Class A misdemeanor, the more serious of the two, and can result in up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $4,000.
So, to put it simply, online casinos aren’t legal in Texas. It’s against the law to play casino games for real money, and it’s also illegal for operators to accept players from within the state. That’s why you won’t see DraftKings Casino, BetMGM, Caesars, or FanDuel Casino operating in Texas right now.
Best Online Casino Alternatives in Texas
With no state-licensed online casinos currently available in Texas, players are really left with two options: offshore casinos and sweepstakes casinos. We’ll take a brief look at both of these.
Offshore Gambling Sites
Offshore casinos are real-money gambling websites that are based outside of the Lone Star State (and outside the U.S. as a whole).
The majority of them accept Texas players without any issue. They also seem attractive on the surface: big sign-up bonuses, massive game libraries, and the ability to play immediately (anytime, anywhere) from your smartphone or computer.
However, there are a few things to consider before you register at an offshore casino.
- A lack of legal protection. These sites aren’t regulated in the U.S., so you have no legal protection if something goes wrong (e.g., they refuse to payout or randomly lock your account).
- Unverified game fairness. There’s no state regulator to verify the randomness of these sites’ RNGs and payout percentages. So you just have to take their word for it.
- Security and payment issues. Some offshore online gambling sites use unregulated payment processors, which could result in declined transactions and/or potential exposure of your personal information.
I will say, though, that Texas gambling laws are mostly enforced at the operator level, not the player level. That means you are very unlikely to face any legal repercussions for just playing at an offshore casino.
But considering all the risks associated with offshore casinos, I personally believe it’s best to avoid them altogether. Better safe than sorry.
Social Casinos & Sweepstakes Casinos
The other option is social casinos, which you’ll often see called “sweepstakes casinos” too. These sites are actually legal in Texas (and in most other states) because they don’t involve real-money gambling.
Here’s how they work. Instead of betting cash, you play with two kinds of virtual currency:
- Gold Coins, which are just for fun and have no real value, and…
- Sweeps Coins, which act as free sweepstakes entries that you can later redeem for cash prizes at a 1 SC = $1 rate.
This system might seem a little confusing at first. Or maybe you already know how it works and are wondering why I’m bringing it up. The reason’s simple: this unique sweepstakes model is what makes these Texas online casinos legal and keeps them from violating state gambling laws.
In the next section, I’ll show a few of the best options available right now. But for now, just know that social and sweepstakes gaming sites are the best (and safest) way to play online casino games legally in Texas.
Comparing the Top 5 Texas Online Casinos
Okay, so now that we’ve gone through all the legal stuff, let’s move on to something a little more fun.
These are the online casinos where you can actually play (and maybe even win a little something while you’re at it). I’ve picked five of the best ones for Texas players and put together a quick breakdown of how they stack up against one another.
| 🎰 Best Texas Online Casinos | 🎉 No Deposit Bonus | 🏦 First Purchase Deal | 🎮 Number of Casino Games | 💸 Min. Redemption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. WOW Vegas | 250,000 WC + 5.00 SC | 1.5 Million WC for $9.99 + 30 FREE SC | 2,000+ | 25 SC |
| 2. McLuck | 7,500 GC + 2.50 SC | 100K GC for $9.99 + 30 FREE SC | 1,500+ | 10 SC |
| 3. Stake.us | 250,000 GC + 25.00 SC | N/A | 2,000+ | ~50 SC (Depends on Crypto Price) |
| 4. The Money Factory | 15,000 GC + 3.00 SC | 32K GC for $7.99 + 32 FREE SC | 1,000+ | 100 SC |
| 5. Fortune Wheelz | 250,000 GC | 600K Gold Coins for $29.99 + 6K FREE FC | 900+ | 25 SC |
WOW Vegas: Best Overall Online TX Casino
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 1.75 Million WOW Coins + 35 FREE SC
- 🎉 Exclusive Bonus Code: Click To Claim
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.1/5.0
First up on my list of the best online casinos in Texas? That would be WOW Vegas. I consider it the best overall option on the market today. Here’s why:
There’s a lot to play here, with more than 2,000 casino games in total for you to check out. You’ll find new slots added regularly along with live dealer tables, scratch cards, bingo, and a few arcade-style titles that you don’t see at every site.
The site runs smoothly on mobile and, from everything I’ve seen, treats its players fairly (with solid customer support and reliable payouts). And there’s also a great VIP program in place for everyday users. You can read our full WOW Vegas review for more details.
McLuck Casino: Best for Progressive Jackpots
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 57.5K Gold Coins + 30 FREE SC
- 🎉 Exclusive Bonus Code: ATSBONUS
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.1/5.0
If you like the idea of chasing big wins, McLuck Casino is the best place to do it.
A lot of the slot games here have progressive jackpots, and they come in four levels: Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand. That last one starts at 100,000 SC and keeps climbing until somebody hits it.
Jackpots aside, there’s plenty to do here. The site’s got around 1,500 casino games, so you’re never short on options if you just want to play for fun. And if you stick around for a while, the Loyalty Club actually gives a few solid rewards as you move up.
Read our full McLuck review to get a better feel for how it all works and what to expect.
Stake.us Casino: Best for Fast Payout Times
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 250K Gold Coins + 25 Stake Cash on Sign Up
- 🎉 Exclusive Bonus Code: ATSBONUS
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.5/5.0
Stake.us is a great pick if you care about getting paid fast. Withdrawals here don’t drag on like they do at some other Texas casino sites.
Once your cashout’s approved, you’ll usually have your winnings within a few hours. Payments go straight to your crypto wallet, and you can use Bitcoin or a few other popular cryptocurrencies.
It’s not just about quick payouts though. There are more than 2,000 casino games to dig into, including online slots, video poker, and live dealer tables. Stake also has its own “Originals” section with games like Crash, Plinko, and Chicken.
You can read our full Stake.us review for more details.
The Money Factory Casino: Best for Live Dealer Games
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 15K Gold Coins, 3 FREE SC, & 300% First Purchase Bonus
- 🎉 Exclusive Bonus Code: Click To Claim
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.2/5.0
The Money Factory easily ranks among the best online casinos in Texas for anyone who enjoys live dealer games.
Other reputable sites have them too, but few offer the same mix or quality you’ll find here. There are several versions of live dealer blackjack, like Gravity, Speed, and Grand Bonus Blackjack, plus a handful of live roulette tables including Royal Roulette, French Roulette, and Roulette Lite.
It doesn’t end there. You’ll also come across unique live dealer titles such as Dream Catcher, Marble Race, Crash Live, Stock Market, and Mega Ball. And if you ever want a break from live casino games, the site still has a pretty strong lineup of slots, scratch cards, and fishing games to keep things interesting.
For a full breakdown of this popular TX online casino, check out our honest Money Factory review.
Fortune Wheelz: Best for Daily Free Spins & Ongoing Promos
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 250K Gold Coins for Registration + 100% SALE on 1ST PURCHASE
- 🎉 Exclusive Bonus Code: ATSBONUS
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 3.8/5.0
Fortune Wheelz is one of the top online casinos in Texas for players who like steady rewards and ongoing promos.
There’s almost always something going on here: free spins when you log in, limited-time deals on coin packages, weekly coin-back offers, and even slot tournaments for anyone who likes a little bit of competition.
You can also claim extra bonus cash by inviting friends to the site or just moving through the VIP levels. Plus, the game list is impressive, with about 900 online slots and new titles added often enough to keep things interesting.
You can read our full Fortune Wheelz review for more details and honest feedback from our team at ATS.io.
Popular Casino Games You Can Play Online in Texas
So yeah, what can you even play online in Texas? Well, pretty much everything. Sweepstakes casinos in the Lone Star State have most of the same games you’d find at regular online gambling sites. Sometimes even more. Here’s what casino-style games you can expect to find.
Slots
Online slot games are everywhere. Some have the simple three-reel setups, others are modern with fast spins, bonus rounds, and bright animations that fill the screen. They load quick, play quick, and it’s easy to bounce between a few before finding one you like.
Table Games
If you’re into blackjack, roulette, or baccarat, you’ll find all of them here. The best sweepstakes casinos usually offer several versions, and a few even have live dealer tables, where someone deals cards on camera in real time.
Video Poker
Video poker’s one of the easiest games to pick up. You’ll see classics like Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Bonus Poker on most sites. It’s quick, steady, and gives you a little more to think about than just pressing spin.
Specialty Games
There’s also bingo, keno, scratch cards, crash games, and even those online fish shooting games that’ve become pretty popular these days. They don’t take much effort, which is kind of the point… you just play a few rounds and move on.
Texas Online Casino No Deposit Bonuses
My favorite thing about Texas online casinos? No-deposit bonuses. Every single casino website and app in Texas gives new players a great sign-up bonus that’s 100% free.
The reason for that is pretty simple: these sites all operate on a sweepstakes model, and all sweepstakes in Texas have to offer a free way to enter or play.
Texas sweepstakes casinos can satisfy that legal requirement by giving you free coins when you register, which is exactly what most of them do. Daily log-in bonuses, mail-in requests, social media promotions… Those all work the same way, too.
Below, we list ten of the best Texas online casino bonuses available right now that don’t require you to deposit a penny.
| 🎰 Texas Online Casino | 🎁 No Deposit Welcome Bonus |
|---|---|
| RealPrize | 100K Gold Coins + 2.00 Sweeps Coins |
| Mega Bonanza | 7,500 Gold Coins + 2.50 Sweepstakes Coins |
| Stake.us | 250K Gold Coins + 25 Stake Cash |
| High 5 Casino | 3 FREE SC, 400 GC, & 300 Diamonds |
| McLuck | 7,500 Gold Coins + 2.50 Sweeps Coins |
| Spree Casino | 1 Million Gold Coins + 2.5 Spree Coins |
| Moonspin | 60K Gold Coins + 3 Sweeps Coins |
| PlayFame | 7,500 Gold Coins + 2.50 Sweeps Coins |
| WOW Vegas | 250K WOW Coins + 5.00 Sweepstakes Coins |
| The Money Factory | 15K Gold Coins + 3 Sweepstakes Coins |
Want to see more offers? Check out our guide to Texas online casino no-deposit bonuses. We cover everything there, all in one place.
Payment Options at Texas Online Gambling Sites
Regular deposits and withdrawals are impossible at Texas online casino sites, as the games run on a sweepstakes system, not real-money gambling.
Instead of depositing funds, you buy Gold Coin packages and earn a matching number of free Sweeps Coins (usually one free coin for every dollar spent, but every now and then, there will be a special promotion or discount going on).
When you cash out, you redeem Sweeps Coins for cash prizes at the same one-to-one payout rate (1.00 SC = $1.00).
So yeah, the process is a little bit different. But the payment methods should still look familiar (they’re basically the same ones you’d see at a real-money online casino). Here are the most popular methods Texas players use.
Credit & Debit Cards
Most Texas casino sites accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. It’s fast and easy, and your Gold Coins are immediately credited to your account after purchase.
Bank Transfers
Some online casinos in Texas offer the option to pay via ACH or eCheck directly from your bank account. This process is not immediate, but it is convenient for those who wish to use their checking accounts.
E-Wallets
PayPal, Venmo, and Skrill are supported by a few casinos as well. These are convenient, fast, and especially useful if you do not want to manually enter your credit card information each time.
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Litecoin are accepted at some Texas online casinos. Transactions are usually processed faster than the other payment options, which is why crypto has become such a popular choice for redemptions.
How to Play Texas Online Casino Games for Real Money
Want to play online casino games in Texas for real money? To learn how, follow these five easy steps.
1. Choose a Legal Sweepstakes Casino
The first thing you need to do is pick a place to play. Since there aren’t any legal TX gambling sites, you must instead play at a social casino or a sweepstakes casino. Three recommended options to consider are WOW Vegas, Stake.us, and McLuck.
2. Create an Account at the Casino Site
Visit the chosen site and register for an online casino account. Type in an email address and select a password. That’s it. You’re all set! Some casino sites also allow you to create an account using your Google or Facebook account.
3. Claim Your Free Coin Bonus
As soon as you complete your registration, you will receive a welcome gift of free Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. All sweepstakes casinos offer a no-deposit bonus to new players so you can try the games for free.
4. Deposit Funds (Optional)
There’s no need to make a deposit when playing at Texas online casinos. Most offer a 100 percent or more match of free Sweeps Coins on your first deposit though, so you may want to anyway.
5. Play Casino Games & Redeem Prizes
At this point, you’re ready to play. Select the games you like to play most, whether slots, blackjack, roulette, or something else, and get started. Once you have won enough Sweeps Coins, you can cash them out for real money prizes.
Legal Ways to Gamble Online in Texas
So, online casino gambling isn’t allowed here. But are there any other ways you can bet real money on your phone? Let’s find out. Here’s a quick look at what you can do — and what’s still off-limits in Texas.
| Type of Online Gambling | Is It Allowed in Texas? ✅ | Legal Gambling Age 🔞 |
|---|---|---|
| 🎲 Casinos | No | N/A |
| ♠️ Poker | No | N/A |
| 🏀 Sports Betting | No | N/A |
| 🏇 Horse Race Betting | No | N/A |
| 🏈 Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes | 18+ |
| 🎟️ Lottery Games | No | N/A |
Sports Betting
Texas online sports betting still isn’t legal. Not online, and not in person either.
Lawmakers have made several attempts to change that, trying to bring in big names like DraftKings, FanDuel, and ESPN BET, but none of the bills have gone through yet.
Until that happens, the closest thing you’ll find are sweepstakes sportsbooks such as Fliff and Sportzino.
Horse Racing
Horse racing is one of the few types of betting that’s legal in Texas, though only in person. You can bet at places like Lone Star Park or Sam Houston Race Park, both licensed racetracks where pari-mutuel wagering is allowed.
Online gambling on horse racing, however, isn’t an option. Sites and apps like TwinSpires, DK Horse, and FanDuel Racing can’t legally accept bets from Texas players. Everything has to be done at the track itself.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports sit in a legal gray area here. Texas has never passed a law to officially legalize DFS, but it hasn’t banned it either.
It’s usually considered a game of skill, not a game of chance (like slots, for example). And that’s why it’s allowed, or at least tolerated, in the Lone Star State for now.
Today, you can play on all the major apps (think DraftKings, FanDuel, Underdog, PrizePicks) and enter paid contests with real money prizes.
Lottery Games
Online lottery play used to be possible through courier apps like Jackpocket, but that ended when Senate Bill 3070 passed in June 2025. The law banned third-party online ticket sales in Texas.
There is an official Texas Lottery app available. But it only lets you do things like check winning numbers for draw games, scan tickets to see if you won, and find licensed retailers. If you want to buy a ticket, you’ll have to do it the old-fashioned way: in person.
Texas Online Gambling Laws Compared to Neighboring States
Texas is strict when it comes to online gambling. No surprise there. But how does that really compare to the states around it? Take a look at the table below and see how Texas stacks up against its neighbors.
| State | Online Casinos | Online Poker | Online Sports Betting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal |
| Louisiana | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ✅ Legal (55 of 64 parishes) |
| Arkansas | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ✅ Legal |
| Oklahoma | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal |
| New Mexico | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal |
| Mississippi | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ✅ Legal (Only when physically located at a licensed casino) |
| Alabama | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal |
| Missouri | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ✅ Legal |
| Tennessee | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ✅ Legal |
| Georgia | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal | ❌ Not Legal |
As you can see, Texas isn’t the only state holding back on online casinos and online poker rooms. Very few states in the U.S. have actually legalized them. And most of those are up in the Northeast, not down here.
Online sports betting, though, is a whole different ballgame. It’s spreading fast across the country, and a couple of Texas’s neighbors (Arkansas and Louisiana) have already made this form of online gambling legal within their borders.
So what does that mean for the Lone Star State? Odds are, online sports betting will get the green light here before anything else. Online casino games? That’ll probably take a while.
Texas Land-Based Casinos
Texas doesn’t have any state-licensed casinos. Or commercial ones, for that matter. The state hasn’t approved them (at least not yet).
There are a few tribal casinos, though. They’re owned and operated by federally recognized Native American tribes and allowed under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which Congress passed back in 1988. That’s what makes them legal.
The thing is, that law splits tribal gaming into different classes. Right now, Texas casinos can’t offer Class III gaming (you know, the big stuff like blackjack, craps, or even real slot machines).
But what they can offer is Class II gaming. Mostly bingo and electronic bingo machines that look and sound like slots, even though the system underneath works a little differently.
So, no full-on Vegas floors here. But if you’re in Texas and want to gamble legally, you do some options. Here’s a quick look at the three tribal casinos open right now:
Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel
- 📍 Address: 794 Lucky Eagle Dr, Eagle Pass, TX 78852
- 📞 Phone Number: (830) 773-2255
Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel sits in Eagle Pass, about a hundred miles south of San Antonio. It’s the biggest casino in Texas, with more than 3,300 gaming machines covering everything from IGT’s Mystery Lamp to Aristocrat’s NFL Winning Drive.
There’s a high-limit area for bigger players, plus separate rooms for bingo and poker. Right now, it’s the closest thing Texans have to a full-scale casino experience.
Naskila Casino
- 📍 Address: 540 State Park Rd 56, Livingston, TX 77351
- 📞 Phone Number: (936) 563-2946
Naskila Casino is near Livingston, about an hour north of Houston. It’s run by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and opened back in 2001.
There are over a thousand bingo-based slot machines inside, from penny games up to $25 spins. This Texas casino also has a Players’ Club with free play credits, food and drink deals, and other solid rewards.
Speaking Rock Entertainment Center
- 📍 Address: 122 S Old Pueblo Rd, El Paso, TX 79907
- 📞 Phone Number: (915) 860-7777
Speaking Rock Entertainment Center is in El Paso. It’s open 24 hours and has a little over 100 gaming machines, along with bingo games held five days a week. It’s a bit smaller than the other tribal casinos in Texas but still a great place for players in the area.
Responsible Gambling in Texas
Remember to always gamble responsibly. Whether you’re playing the slots at a sweepstakes casino, playing bingo at a tribal casino, betting on horse racing, or even just purchasing a lottery ticket.
If you ever feel like things may be getting a little out of control, here are some free resources for Texas players:
- National Gambling Helpline: Call 1-800-522-4700
- Texas Coalition on Problem Gambling: www.txcpg.org
- Gamtalk: www.gamtalk.org
- Gamblers Anonymous: www.gamblersanonymous.org
The Future of Texas Online Casino Gambling: What’s Next?
When will Texas legalize online casinos? Honestly, probably not anytime soon.
Right now, there’s nothing moving through the Legislature that would make it happen. Most of the talk in Austin is still around sports betting and maybe a few resort-style casinos in the bigger cities. TX online casinos just aren’t part of that discussion yet.
Even if lawmakers wanted to move forward, it wouldn’t be quick. They’d have to push a constitutional amendment, and voters would still need to sign off in a general election.
The Legislature only meets every other year — the odd-numbered ones — so the next window to even talk about it is 2027. And honestly, even then, getting enough support to pass something like that would be a stretch.
So yeah, Texas is still a ways out. Sports betting will almost certainly come first (maybe late 2020s, maybe early 2030s). Until then, sweepstakes casinos are still the only legal way to play online here.
Texas Online Casino FAQs
Nope. There aren’t any legal Texas online gambling sites that’ll let you bet real money on casino games. Social casinos, however, are allowed. I’m talking about sites like Chumba, WOW Vegas, and McLuck. They offer all the most popular online casino games (slots, blackjack, roulette, you name it) and let you win cash prizes through a promotional sweepstakes model.
No. DraftKings is a real-money online casino. And real-money online casinos aren’t allowed in Texas (for now, at least). DraftKings Sportsbook is off-limits too, since there is no legal online gambling on sports in the state either.
Nope. PokerStars and other real-money poker sites fall under the same rules as online casinos here. Texas doesn’t license or regulate them, so playing for real money isn’t allowed right now.
Bovada and other similar sites aren’t “legal online casinos” in Texas. They are offshore gambling sites that operate outside the U.S. and are, therefore, not licensed or regulated by any state or federal gaming authority. That means players use them at their own risk, since there’s no official oversight or protection if something goes wrong with your account or payouts.
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