Texas casinos have been one of the major things to do for Texans for quite some time. Though there are only two genuine casinos in Texas offering gaming, there are numerous wagering choices within the state. Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass, southwest of San Antonio, and the Texas Treasure Casino Boat near Redfish are the two most popular places for gambling in Texas. Beyond the two favored options lie a bounty of other choices for betting, including both live and simulcast horse racing and greyhound racing. Parimutuel wagers (meaning races are broadcast by television or radio and bets are divvied up according to the amount of winners' total wagers) are a common form of betting at most of the wagering facilities.
Kickapoo Lucky Eagle is a popular Texas casino and one of the hottest entertainment complexes on the Texas-Mexico border. Gaming, dining, and a host of exciting entertainment lies within. Bingo is one of the biggest draws. The Bingo Dome at Kickapoo features Sunday to Friday sessions beginning at 7 p.m. and two Saturday sessions with huge prize pay outs and ongoing promotions. The live poker room is a flurry of activity. Twelve poker tables dealing 7 Card Stud and Texas Hold ‘Em are featured every day. Tournaments and promotions are always on in the poker room at this Texas casino, which is open from Monday to Friday until 5 a.m. From penny slots to $25 games, 1,800 slot machines ring, flash, and light up the floor. A huge buffet, two sports bars, and a café nail down all dining needs and live music and other performances dot the events calendar.
Texas Treasure Casino Boat is the second premier option for gambling in Texas. It is the go-to for casinos in Texas offering gaming cruises and onboard dining with three distinct restaurants. The large cruise ship is packed with options for gambling in Texas. More than 23 table games are onboard, including Caribbean Stud, Three Card Poker, Let It Ride, blackjack, live poker, and roulette. More than 500 slot machines keep the floor action-packed while the bingo hall, with seating for 100, is another choice for welcoming Lady Luck at this Texas casino. Head to 229 Highway 361 South Port Aransas, one of the top vacation spots in Texas, for cruise departures leaving Tuesday through Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. Entry prices vary depending on the day of the week. Also notable is the cruise ship offers no accommodations. Nearby Port Aransas hotels are the only lodging available.
Texas Map
Several other options are available for gambling in Texas. Only 25 minutes away from Austin in Manor, Texas, Manor Downs provides simulcast, parimutuel horse racing. During the spring there are live thoroughbred and quarter horse races. The private restaurant and bar complete the picture and offer a great alternative to traditional gambling in Texas.
If poker's your game, Shuffle's the name! Want to play in a safe, legal Texas poker room? Look no further than Shuffle 512, Austin's best poker room experience. Whether you're a beginner, low limit grinder, experienced veteran or high roller, get in the action anytime with tournaments and cash game play. The highly-anticipated Austin Marriott Downtown will feature over 600 iconic guest rooms including 25 stunning suites, a rooftop pool with breathtaking views, three bars, locally-inspired restaurants, and over 60,000 square feet of meeting space. The casino empire helmed by GOP megadonor Sheldon Adelson is zeroing in on Texas. Las Vegas Sands, among the world's largest gaming companies, has set its sights on legalizing casinos in the state. 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. If you're visiting Austin, Texas for New Years Eve 2020, check out our guide to New Years Eve events in Austin. From NYE parties and live music to family-friendly events, ATX has a range of things to do so you and your loved ones can ring in the new year the right way. Find things to do in downtown Austin for New Years and discover where to eat dinner on New Years Eve in Austin.
Corpus Christi Dog Track is just as exciting as any Texas casino. Greyhound racing is top dog at the race track, but there are also simulcasts of other horse and greyhound races within the country. The grandstand surrounding the simulcast area is an air-conditioned seating area that is serviced by concession stands and hostesses. The clubhouse is another ideal spot to watch races and enjoy pub-style meals. Wagering is done by either electronic machines or by licensed tellers situated all over the track.
In lieu of the limited choice of casinos in Texas there is also the Valley Race Park in Harlingen where live thoroughbred, greyhound, and simulcast races are all presented. Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, less than twenty miles from Fort Worth, is on par with Valley Race Park with simulcast racing seven days per week and live races from mid-September through mid-November. Combining all the options introduces a length list of options for gambling in Texas and the diversity of choice is can be a great activity in a state with so many things to do.
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.
Keep Reading … or Watch Instead!
Or … Listen Instead!
Subscribe to my Professor Slots podcast at Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Amazon Audible | Gaana | Stitcher | Pandora | iHeart Radio | Tune-In | SoundCloud | RadioPublic | Deezer | RSS and everywhere else you find your podcasts!
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
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.
New Casino In Austin Texas Right Now
Annual Progress in Texas Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Casino In Austin Texas
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
New Casino In Austin Texas Riverwalk
Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC
