Are Private Poker Rooms Legal In Texas

Texas law states poker is legal so long as it s played in a private place the house doesn t take a cut out of the games and all players stand the same chances at winning and losing.

Are private poker rooms legal in texas. Poker clubs aren t illegal in texas. Understanding texas poker room gambling laws it is important for one to understand how gambling laws work if they plan on operating a poker club. Poker players have fought for legalized poker for years whether in texas online poker rooms or in brick and mortar establishments. Texas law is unclear on the question of whether poker rooms that charge seat and membership fees are legal.

The card rooms that are popping up in texas are private clubs that provide rake free poker games as well as bridge backgammon chess and beyond instead of a rake which would make the game illegal per the texas penal code cited above the clubs charge membership fees and in some cases seat rentals. In 2012 2013 senator rodney ellis introduced casino bills that included the legalization of poker but ellis received no support from his fellow lamwakers. It s a bit of a gray area according to guerra thompson. Owners of these clubs claim they are operating in accordance with texas gambling laws by only charging membership fees and dues rather than taking a percentage of the pot.

Private poker clubs have been popping up recently all over texas and their legality is currently under debate. Harris county law enforcement officials insist this business model is the same as taking. Anyone can gamble for money in a private place as long as the house doesn t profit from the game. Critics claim they are merely exploiting a loophole in the law.