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Sep 21, 2013 Illinois Online Poker Laws. The state of Illinois may be as average as it gets in terms of size (25 th largest state in the Union), but they sure know how to pack them in! It’s the 5 th most populated state, thus it should come as little surprise that there are hundreds of thousands of people from Illinois anticipating the passage of online poker regulation.
Last Updated January 2, 2020
Poker wouldn’t be poker without Texas. After all, without Texas, we’d all just be playing plain old hold’em. Without Texas, we wouldn’t have some of the game’s most enduring legends, such as Doyle Brunson, Amarillo Slim, and WSOP founder Benny Binion.
No-limit Texas Hold’em made Texas an indelible part of poker. Card players in the Lone Star Star love poker, both in land-based casinos and online poker. This page discusses the Internet poker rooms available to Texas poker players in this Guide to Playing Online Poker in Texas.
If you came here looking for how to play online poker in Texas or the tips on the best Texas poker sites, we suggest you read our real-money poker guide.
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Current Updates for TX – Laws, Legislation & House Bills
Poker players have fought for legalized poker for years, whether in Texas online poker rooms or in brick-and-mortar establishments. In 2012-2013, Senator Rodney Ellis introduced casino bills that included the legalization of poker, but Ellis received no support from his fellow lamwakers.
Since then, Texan entrepreneurs took the initiative. Private poker clubs have popped up around Texas, mostly in large cities like Houston and Dallas. Players don’t pay a rake or tournament fees. Instead, they pay membership or entrance fee, similar to a country club. The clubs make money from membership fees, seat rental fees, and food and beverage sales.
Poker clubs operate in a grey area. Local law enforcement shut down some poker clubs, but some in other towns remain open and assert their rights legally. A court ruling might decide the law, as the legislature won’t legalize Texas poker anytime soon.
AG Ken Paxton Dithers on Live Poker Rooms
The most recent news out of Texas is that Attorney General Ken Paxton will not be issuing any type of decision regarding the live poker rooms. State Representative Geanie Morrison formally asked Paxton if poker rooms that charge membership fees but don’t charge rake permitted are legal. Paxton officially refused to answer. A spokesperson for his office said that it is a legal matter being litigated in the courts, so courts should resolve the issue.
In 2018, Attorney General Ken Paxton said he would not issue any type of decision regarding the live poker rooms. State Representative Geanie Morrison formally asked Paxton if poker rooms that charge membership fees — but don’t charge rake — are permitted under the current law. Many state lawmakers have been asking the same question, but Paxton officially refused to answer. A spokesperson for his office said that the courts should resolve the issue.
Texas Poker Clubs – A Legal Gray Area
Poker clubs around Texas continued to operate as usual until May 1, 2019.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office and Houston Police Department coordinated to raid the two largest poker clubs in Houston on May 1. Nine owners and managers from the Post Oak Poker Club and Prime Social Poker Club were arrested and charged with money laundering as a part of engaging in organized crime activities. The two clubs’ bank accounts were also frozen and all funds seized. District Attorney Kim Ogg said, “Poker rooms are illegal in the state of Texas.”
Interestingly, however, all charges were dropped in July. All money was returned. The DA’s office commented that the dismissal of charges was the result of “multiple potential conflicts of interest” within her office. It seems that a contract employee of her office also worked for a law firm that tried to extort money from the two poker clubs while conducting an investigation of them. Said law firm – Jones Walker – then became the target of a lawsuit by Prime Social in early September.
Latest Texas Sports Betting Bills
Texas Rep. Eduardo Lucio introduced Texas House Bill 1275 and Texas House Joint Resolution 61 to the House in February 2019. HR 1275 would regulate land-based sports betting and impose a 6.25% tax. HRJ 61 would let Texans vote on a constitutional amendment to legalize sportsbooks through a statewide vote.
| Type/Code | Summary |
| State Code Section(s) | PEN.10.47; CIV.6 |
| Definition of Gambling | A person commits an offense if he 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; 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; or plays and bets for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, balls, or any other gambling device. |
| Definition of Gambling Device | Any electronic, electromechanical, or mechanical contrivance 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. The term includes, but is not limited to, gambling device versions of bingo, keno, blackjack, lottery, roulette, video poker, or similar electronic, electromechanical, or mechanical games, or facsimiles thereof. |
| Definition of Bet | An agreement to win or lose something of value solely or partially by chance. |
| Online Poker/Gambling | There have been no proposals in the state legislature that would legalize online poker or internet gaming of any kind. |
| Live Poker | The live poker offered at cardrooms in major cities in Texas advertise as membership club. No rake is taken from the poker games, though there are fees to enter or belong to the clubs. So far, there have been no court decisions that have closed these poker rooms. |
| Casinos | There are no casinos in Texas, though cardrooms exist as entertainment venues. |
| Sports Betting | HR1275 and HJR 61 would regulate Texas sports betting. |
| DFS | A proposal to legalize daily fantasy sports was proposed in 2017, but died in committee. |
| Other Forms of Gambling | Horse and greyhound racing, on-track pari-mutuel betting, lottery, social gambling, bingo and charitable gambling, contests of skill. |
Texas Gambling & Poker Laws Summarized | |
Texas Daily Fantasy Sports Laws – Is It Legal?
In January 2016, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that daily fantasy sports gaming was illegal in Texas. FanDuel announced it would no longer offer games to Texans after May 1, 2016. DraftKings filed suit in a Texas court, asking the court to rule DFS legal. That court case has not been resolved yet.
8-Liners in Texas Towns
One other oddity exists on the Texas landscape. Under Texas State law, the gaming machines called 8-Liners or “maquinitas“ are legal if local municipalities approve them. and the owner does not pay winnings in cash. Winners are paid in store credit, gas, or groceries. Despite that limitation, 8-liners generate $5.4 billion in revenues each year.
8-Liners create a problem for local law enforcement. Business owners often pay cash for winnings, which is illegal. Just in the past 3 years alone, Texas law enforcement has raided 8-liner operations for illegal cash payments in the following cities: San Antonio, Poth, Athens, Cap City, Eustace, Seven Points, Tool, Gun Barrel City, San Benito, Rio Grande City, La Joya, Cameron County in the Rio Grande Valley, and McAllen.
Texas Poker Sites – Where to Play Online Legally?
Most Texas poker players drive to Oklahoma or Louisiana to gamble. Several of the largest casinos (by gaming space) in the world are located an hour north of Dallas: Winstar Casino in Thackerville and Choctaw Casino in Durant, Oklahoma. The casinos in Bossier City and Shreveport, Louisiana also get most of their business from Dallas-Fort Worth.
Texans who want to know the closest card room should read our list of real money poker rooms.
Is Online Poker Legal in Texas?
As a rule of thumb, a poker site that accepts American players will also accept poker players from Texas. It’s NOT illegal to play online poker in Texas. In fact, unlike Washington, Texas poker players can legally play on offshore poker sites, like Bovada. The only illegal activity is owning or operating a poker room.
The rooms we’ve listed above are Texas-friendly, but they’re far from the only online poker rooms where Texans can play real-money games. Read through our list of online poker — Texas exists in a gray area, but Texans can play at most US-friendly sites.
What Forms of Gambling Are Legal in Texas?
Poker players are naturally curious about whether or not playing poker for real money online is legal under Texas law. Offering legal advice is not a function of this website (nor of anyone beyond legal professionals), but we can help you sort through the fundamentals of poker laws in Texas.
What counts as gambling in Texas?
The definition of “bet” (Section 47.01(1)) is short and sweet – it’s when you enter into an understanding “to win or lose something of value” in an activity that involves chance. Specifically, the winning or losing must occur “solely or partially by chance.” The definition includes the phrase “partially by chance,” so a bet is anything with any element of chance. The definition of “gambling device” (Section 47.01(4) clarifies the law further.
Making illegal bets is a misdemeanor in Texas (Section 47.02). Those who break the law could face a half-dozen separate charges. Gambling promotion (Section 47.03) is a misdemeanor, and covers operating, promoting, processing bets and selling lottery chances. Possession of Gambling Device, Equipment, or Paraphernalia (Section 47.06) is also a misdemeanor.
Will Texas Regulate Internet Poker?
It’s unlikely Texas will regulate online poker. Texas proponents of land-based casino gambling faced a long fight in the past. Texas online poker is even further away from approval.
Texas Gambling Facts
Texas regulates lottery betting and pari-mutuel bets on racing, and charitable gambling (raffles and games of bingo).
Tribal gambling is complicated. Naskila Gaming at Livingston owned by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino at Eagle Pass, and Speaking Rock Entertainment by the Tigua Tribe of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo each operate casino gaming. All three tribes are embroiled in multi-year legal battles with the state of Texas.
Purely social gambling in a private place or regulated gambling activity is legal, if the house makes no profit.
All Poker and Gambling Laws by State
- July 11th, 2018
Poker rooms operating in Texas have no plans to shut down. They believe in their right to operate enough to take it to the courts if they must. The loopholes in the law, in addition to the antiquated laws surrounding poker in Texas, may be challenged in just that way,
Read Full - May 8th, 2018
Poker players in Texas know how to find games. Whether they travel to neighboring states that allow casinos and card rooms or locate underground games closer to home, there are ways to play poker. Some have found a different avenue. With some legal advice and personal determination, a number of
Read Full - October 20th, 2017
Texas is one of the few states in America that does not permit poker rooms, clubs, or games with any type of money involved. Despite the global popularity of Texas Hold’em, the state itself has yet to consider any true poker legalization measures. Only one casino operates in Texas, and
Read Full - August 18th, 2017
One of the greatest mysteries in the world of poker is the notion that Texas Hold’em – and any other kind of poker game – is illegal in the state of Texas. No matter the mainstream popularity of poker or the many reports showing the level of skill overrides luck
Read Full
Texas’ Forms of Regulated Internet Gambling
This is a much shorter list, as the state of Texas does not regulate any form of online gambling activity. As noted in our earlier section discussing the likelihood that Texas will regulate online poker, there’s almost certainly quite a bit of daylight between now and a time when Texas is issuing licenses to online gambling operators.
Additional Research on Texas Gambling
Texas Tribune: Gaming/Gambling. Dedicated section from the Texas Tribune covering all in-state gaming and gambling issues. Includes news and interviews with major industry players.
Senator Rodney Ellis . Internet home of Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston), the driving force behind a proposal that would allow voters to decide whether or not to bring casinos to Texas.
Texas Lottery . Official website for the state lottery of Texas contains winning numbers along with a wealth of historical and statistical data about the lottery.
Texas’ and the History of Poker
It’s hard for a state to be any more integral to the game of poker than Texas. After all, the state name is right smack at the start of what is by far the most popular format of modern poker: Texas Hold’em. The “Godfather” of poker, Doyle Brunson, is still better known to some poker fans as Texas Dolly. The subject of one of the most epic poker matches (and stories) in history – Andy Beal – is (you guessed it) a card-carrying Texan. We could go on.
Poker is now by and large an underground activity in Texas, so the state doesn’t get the same spotlight as your Las Vegas or your Atlantic City. But we can guarantee that if the same laws existed in Texas as Nevada, you might quickly see the center of the American poker universe gravitate a bit closer to the Lone Star State.
Sources & Citations For This Article on Texas Online Poker
With a population approaching 12.9 million, the “Windy City” of Chicago houses more residents than 15 US states and many of them love the idea of legal real money Internet poker in 2020. Factor in the rest of the Illinois’ populace, and at nearly 13 million people, the Prairie State is easily one of the most densely packed states in the Union, and perfectly capable of hosting a viable standalone online poker website industry.
The good news is that Illinois is on a short list of states seriously considering the merits of iGaming and real cash Internet poker gambling. Already host to ten land-based commercial casinos with poker betting card rooms and welcome to most forms of regulated legit gambling, Illinois has exhibited a strong willingness to expand its casino operation and its legal real money poker offering as well. And with the support of several key political figures, it wouldn’t be unheard of to see an IL iGaming and Internet poker bill sneak its way into consideration by the end of 2020
Home to the Windy City, Illinois gamblers may find it challenging to find a 2020 real money US poker site. Luckily, we’ve sourced top poker rooms that will gladly let you sign up for an account.
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An Illinois iGaming Bill May Be On The Cards
Quick Jump
- 2 Latest Illinois Poker News
- 3 The Facts
For one, any real cash gambling expansion bill would be required to designate a portion of the revenue generated from real money poker gambling in IL that would go towards funding education. Secondly, the iGaming and Internet poker industry would not be permitted to contribute to political campaigns. The good news for Illinois betting fans is that the language of existing legal poker website proposals has since been amended in 2015 to meet Quinn’s demands.
In order to further coerce Quinn, IL Senate President John Cullerton plans on pursuing an iGaming and real money Internet poker as a standalone bill. This will allow lawmakers to examine the viability of online gaming and poker websites independently of Illinois’ other land-based gambling activities.
New Jersey’s early success in the real cash Internet gambling iGaming market may prove to be the catalyst that tips the Prairie State’s Governor Quinn over the fence and into the lawful poker websites territory poker betting fans have been hoping for. In its first four weeks, nearly 110,000 new real money gambling iGaming accounts were registered in New Jersey; a state with a population of approximately 4 million less than that of Illinois’.
Given this, it is well very possible that a new piece of online gaming and Internet poker legislation will emerge at some point as part of a package addressing the laws regarding real cash online horse betting.
Latest Illinois Poker News
The postponed RAWA hearing was finally heard in the House of Representatives by a Judiciary subcommittee on Wednesday, but the majority of the witnesses invited to testify…
In dire need of an infusion of cash in order to overcome a revenue shortfall, Illinois has bandied about the idea of online gambling legislation.…
A potentially damaging, multi-million dollar class action against PokerStars has been dismissed by a judge at the United States District Court in Illinois.…
A recent survey discovered that nearly 75% of Americans believe that individual states should be allowed to regulate online gambling if they so choose.…
Attention has been focused of late on the federal level and the chances of success of New York Representative Peter King's online gambling proposal.…
Are Poker Sites Accepting Illinois Players?
Despite its leniency regarding gambling casino and real money poker betting in general, Illinois has taken a relatively strict stance against unregulated online gambling like Texas Hold’em betting at poker websites. Case in point: In 2009, the State of IL banned operators from running any sort of Internet wagering service or poker website.
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Now, that doesn’t mean that those hailing from Illinois can’t play legit real cash poker on a US-facing site; they just might face a few restrictions. We have created a list of 2020‘s best US real money poker websites that are more than welcoming to the poker gambling citizens of Illinois. Why search for a poker website online when all the information you’ll ever need about legal real money Internet poker in Illinois is just a click or two away?
- U. S. Poker Site
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- Very player friendly
- Generous cashback
- Great mobile play
Is Online Poker Legal In Illinois?
That’s a question that has confounded even the most diligent students of Illinois’ law and real cash poker players across the state. And while the Prairie State is one of only a handful that specifically addresses Internet gambling, It still makes no specific mention of online poker websites. Thus, the legality of playing online Internet poker for real money resides in a murky gray area for IL residents.
With that said, to date Illinois’ legislators have not officially passed a law that would allow iGaming and poker website providers to operate within the state’s confines.
As always, we suggest that you seek legal advice about how legal real cash poker is in Illinois if you have any questions regarding Illinois’ gambling statues. But for now, let us help you prepare for your adventures into the Internet poker world by going over the most noteworthy aspects of the law:
- As defined by Illinois’ gambling and betting law, a person commits gambling when he plays a game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value. Emphasis on the word skill, as that would most certainly apply to poker both offline and at poker websites. Section 28-1(a)
- Anyone who operates, keeps, owns, uses, purchases, exhibits, rents, sells, bargain for the sale or lease of, manufactures or distributes any gambling device is also considered to be committing an act of gambling.
- Illinois is one of the few states that specifically lists circumstances in which casino and poker gambling is permitted. Namely, regulated horse betting, pari-mutuel wagering, bingo, and the lottery are all deemed legal. Gambling with real cash on one of IL’s many riverboat casinos, in so long as it’s authorized by the Riverboat Gambling Act, is also legal. Section 28-1(b)
- Violating any gambling or betting law is a Class A misdemeanor. Section 28-1(c)
- Unlike most gambling statues, Illinois’ laws have been updated to reflect the Internet gambling wagering era. Not only is the term Internet defined, but the law specifically states that it is illegal to knowingly establish, maintain or operate an Internet poker or casino website that permits a person to play a game of chance or skill for real money or other thing of value by means of the Internet or to make a wager upon the result of a game, contest, political nomination, appointment, or election by means of the Internet. Section 28-1(12)
- While operating an Internet site is clearly illegal, the legality of acting as a participant by betting real money in poker gambling on an existing Internet poker website is not addressed.
For those interested in reading more about Illinois’ gambling and legal poker laws please see the “References” section [2].
The Facts
The History Of Gambling In Illinois
19271927
The first step for Illinois saw horse racing approved by the Illinois General Assembly. This gave people an opportunity to start betting on the sport and led to 6 racetracks been built up to this present day.
19711971
Bingo games were legalized throughout the state and have thrived ever since.
19741974
The Illinois lottery was introduced and the first draw took place on July 1st. The aim of the lottery was to provide an extra revenue stream for the state education fund. Unfortunately, this was a promise that could not be kept by the state and the funds were actually used for more general purposes.
19861986
Charity games were approved for non-profit organisations.
19911991
The gambling scene took an interesting turn as riverboat casinos were introduced throughout Illinois. This allowed gambling to take place during a journey on a riverboat, but not whilst the riverboats were at a standstill.
19991999
A Riverboat Gambling Act was signed which stated that riverboats did not have to be travelling through the water whilst gambling took place. This resulted in nearly all riverboats to stay dockside and essentially become land-based casinos.
20022002
Due to the rapid rise of the internet and the impact that had on society, the sale of lottery tickets was introduced online. This made Illinois the first state to begin using this platform for the state lottery.
2009-20112009-2011
This timeframe saw the Video Gaming Act passed and then halted from 2009 to 2011. Initially, the act passed and would result in video gambling terminals being placed in a wide variety of licensed venues. However, there were some legal challenges to attend with in regards to this area of gambling and these challenges lasted until 2011. Finally, the court challenge was defeated and the legalisation of video gambling was confirmed.
As far back as the early 1800s, Illinois, like other newly settled states, sponsored lotteries and real cash gambling as an additional revenue stream. American settlers were also inclined to enjoy betting on real money games of chance at local saloons and other establishments.
By the 1830s, Illinois had established a blossoming riverboat gaming industry where people would enjoy real money gambling on games like Texas Hold’em poker. The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 would eventually put a damper on riverboat casinos, as would the increased presence of con men and other shady characters, and by the turn of the century, riverboat gambling was all but extinct.
During the Prohibition Era, gambling and betting on almost every game including real money poker had moved to the underground. Run by organized crime syndicates, gambling related activities like poker betting were often associated with violence, and in some cases, death. In response, law authorities cracked down on gambling at non lawful poker games, and by the 1960s all but a few illegal gambling halls were shut down.
In the 1930s, Illinois’ horseracing gambling industry was in full bloom. So much so, that Chicago alone inhabited six major horseracing tracks where citizens from all over IL would come to enjoy betting real money, including the world-renowned Arlington Park [3]. Today, Chicago is only home to three horseracing establishments.
Eventually, Illinois would loosen its anti-gambling stance, and in 1974 the Illinois Lottery was established. Real cash betting proceeds from the lottery were used to fund public education. In that respect, legit gambling proved highly successful for IL State, raising $2.1 billion annually as of 2010.
Thanks to an historic legislative piece, riverboat gambling was reintroduced into Illinois’ culture in 1990. The move was inspired by neighboring Iowa’s decision to allow riverboat casinos and real money legal poker games along the Mississippi. Under the new law, up to 10 gambling licenses could be handed out. However, none of them could exist in Cook County (Chicago). This measure was taken as a means of protecting the county’s real cash horseracing betting industry.
In 1999, an amendment to the Riverboat Gambling Act was made, stating that riverboat casinos and real cash poker rooms no longer had to cruise.
Regulated Gambling Options In Illinois
There is no dearth of gambling and real money betting options in the Land of Lincoln, including plenty of legal Texas Hold’em and other poker betting choices. In fact, the only form of gambling not regulated under state law is tribal casinos. Land-based brick and mortar casino and poker gambling facilities, pari-mutuel wagering, charitable gambling (including casino nights), horseracing and the state lottery are all permitted in IL.
Legalized online poker may certainly become a reality in Illinois, which is showing a keen interest in the financial benefits of offering licenses and collecting taxes.
The Future Of Regulated Online Gambling In Illinois
Whereas states like Pennsylvania may very well pass an iGaming Internet poker bill in the near future, the citizens of Illinois looking to get in on the real money poker action on top poker websites will likely have to wait a bit longer. IL Governor Quinn has proven a strong advocate of the wait-and-see approach to legal Internet poker, and until lawmakers prove the benefits of online gambling and poker websites, it’s unlikely that he’ll sign off on an Internet gambling bill.
However, given that both the lottery and horseracing are already online and offering residents real cash gambling options, it stands to reason that Illinois state officials, at the very least, are open to the idea of state regulated online gambling and lawful Internet poker websites in IL in 2020.
Fun Fact
President Barrack Obama, who spent the majority of his professional career in Illinois, played real money poker with his peers while employed at the University of Chicago Law School. He is the first poker playing President since Richard Nixon. Or maybe he’s just the first to admit to real cash poker gambling experience in Texas Hold’em poker.
The Bottom Line
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Regardless of the final outcome, Internet gambling and legal poker websites will be a hot topic among Illinois state officials in the coming months. And although there’s no guarantee that IL inhabitants will be able to hit the virtual poker felt and start playing at legit real money poker sites in Illinois anytime soon, there are several strong indicators that an IL iGaming and real cash Internet poker bill could pass sooner as opposed to later – especially now that states like New Jersey have proven that online gaming can generate substantial revenue in the form of real money gambling profits.
References
[1] ↑Illinois Online Gambling to Emerge as Standalone Bill
[2] ↑Illinois Gambling Laws: Illinois Compiled Statues
[3] ↑Arlington Park
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