Gambling Casino In Austin Texas

  • 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.
  • Top Austin Casinos: See reviews and photos of casinos & gambling attractions in Austin, Texas on Tripadvisor.
  • Casinos near Austin, TX Browse URComped’s up-to-date list of the 35 closest casinos to Austin, TX There are no casinos within a 30 minute drive of Austin, TX but you can see a full list of casinos and their driving distance from Austin, TX below.

Introduction to Texas Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Austin Area From Business: Gold City Casino is the simplest and most popular destination for sports betting on the Internet. Our many years of experience guarantee you a quality betting 6. Best Casinos in Austin, TX - One Time Card House, Shuffle 512, Double Down Casino Events, The Lodge Card Club, Texas Poker Supply, Casino South Side Lounge, Texas Card House, Hill Country Card Club, Miller's Fun Run, Coolest Online Casinos.

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

Gambling casino in austin texas hill country

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

Gambling

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.

Annual Progress in Texas Slot Machine Casino Gambling

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

Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC

Where to find gambling spots in the Lone Star State

Whether you’re exploring lush blackland prairies, vast desert valleys or the bustling streets of downtown Houston, there’s perhaps no more fitting a place for a hand of Texas Hold’em poker than the Lone Star State. But armed with strict gambling policies, Texas is home to only a handful of casinos, most of which operate under stringent restrictions. Satisfy your gambling itch by visiting other acceptable sites for wagering, from racetracks where thoroughbreds gallop for glory, to floating casinos bobbing in international waters.

Q: Are casinos allowed in Texas?

A: As of 2017, Texas law prohibits the type of gambling found in most casinos, including slot machines, card games and table games. However, Texas’ three federally recognized Indian tribes – the Kickapoo, Alabama-Coushatta and Tigua tribes – own and operate casinos throughout the state. Federally recognized tribes are, to a certain extent, able to govern themselves as sovereign nations. While receiving federal recognition in 1983, the Kickapoo tribe never agreed to ban gaming on their sovereign land and, in 1996, they legally built a casino on their reservation. In order to gain federal recognition, in 1987, the Alabama-Coushatta and Tigua tribes agreed to prohibit gambling on their lands but have since built casinos, albeit with limited forms of gambling, citing their rights as sovereign nations. For their actions, as of 2017, the Alabama-Coushatta and Tigua tribes continue to face litigation and casino closure threats by the state of Texas.

Q: Where can you find Indian casinos in Texas?

A: The Kickapoo tribe’s Lucky Eagle Casino is in Eagle Pass, about 2.5 hours southwest of San Antonio. The only Texas casino with an attached hotel, Lucky Eagle is also home to a bingo hall, poker room and more than 3,300 video games and slot machines. Sign up for the Players Club either online or in person to earn points towards casino credits or merchandise.

The disputed Indian casinos are Naskila Gaming, located about 90 minutes northeast of Houston, and Speaking Rock Entertainment Center in El Paso, owned and operated by the Alabama-Coushatta and Tigua tribes, respectively. Inside both casinos you’ll find devices that look and sound like traditional slot machines but, in actuality, are electronic bingo games in which you play a card on each spin and compete against other players. Naskila Gaming is an alcohol-free zone with a nearby lakeside campground should you wish to spend the night. Speaking Rock draws big crowds for its mostly free, year-round concerts, so make sure you arrive early if you want a good viewing spot. All of Texas’ Indian casinos are open 24/7 and restricted to patrons age 21 and older.

Q: Are there horse racing tracks in Texas?

Year-round wagering and meets featuring thoroughbred and quarter horse racing are available at Texas’ three major racetracks: Sam Houston Race Park in Houston; Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie 15 minutes west of Dallas; and Retama Park in Selma, a 30-minute drive southwest of San Antonio. While you can’t place a bet online, Sam Houston and Lone Star Parks allow you to buy admission tickets and reserve seats on their website. All three tracks offer simulcast racing, which means even on days when there’s no live racing, you can still go to the track to bet on races from around the country. Admission is free or significantly reduced on simulcast-only days, but you may be restricted to certain areas of the park, such as a sports book-like bar or a specific concourse. You must be 21 years of age to place a wager at any time.

Q: Are there any casino cruises in Texas?

Gambling casino in austin texas near

Gambling Casino In Austin Texas Restaurants

A: As of 2017, Jacks or Better Casino, which sails out of Galveston, is Texas’ only operating casino cruise. Public cruises, which last about six hours, depart Friday through Sunday year-round, with the rest of the week reserved for private parties. Sailing aboard a 155-foot yacht, the ship travels at least 9.1 miles offshore into the international waters of the Gulf of Mexico, where guests are then allowed to gamble on sporting events, gaming tables and slot machines. The ship offers an on-site ATM and motion sickness pills, and patches are available for purchase but they should be consumed at least an hour before sailing. You must be 18 years of age to board the ship but 21 or older to consume an alcoholic beverage.