Texas Gambling Law

Hysteria is going around so I thought I would review the Texas Law on Gambling. Here is the exact law for Gambling in Texas.  Basically, it says that poker is illegal in Texas if you play at a place that makes money on it.  (takes a rake..), but it is just a Class C misdemeanor, which is basically as serious as a speeding ticket for a player, the max penalty is $500.  If you run a game, then watch out.. That is a Class A misdemeanor which has a $4,000 max fine and up to 1 year in jail.

§ 47.02.  GAMBLING.  (a)  A person commits an offense if he:

(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; or

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

(b)  It is a defense to prosecution under this section that:

(1)  the actor engaged in gambling in a private place;

(2)  no person received any economic benefit other than personal winnings; and

(3)  except for the advantage of skill or luck, the risks of losing and the chances of winning were the same for all participants.

(c)  It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the actor reasonably believed that the conduct:

(1)  was permitted under Chapter 2001, Occupations Code;

(2)  was permitted under Chapter 2002, Occupations Code;

(3)  consisted entirely of participation in the state lottery authorized by the State Lottery Act (Chapter 466, Government Code);

(4)  was permitted under the Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes); or

(5)  consisted entirely of participation in a drawing for the opportunity to participate in a hunting, fishing, or other recreational event conducted by the Parks and Wildlife Department.

(d)  An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

(e)  It is a defense to prosecution under this section that a person played for something of value other than money using an electronic, electromechanical, or mechanical contrivance excluded from the definition of "gambling device" under Section 47.01(4)(B).