Are Private Poker Rooms Legal In Texas

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.

Are private poker rooms legal in texas.

Harris county law enforcement officials insist this business model is the same as taking. 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. It s a bit of a gray area according to guerra thompson. Critics claim they are merely exploiting a loophole in the law.

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. Anyone can gamble for money in a private place as long as the house doesn t profit from the game. How the legal card rooms work. Both newcomers and industry veterans need help in the interpretation of the law as legal aspects of a business can be both confusing and frustrating.

Texas law is unclear on the question of whether poker rooms that charge seat and membership fees are legal. In 2012 2013 senator rodney ellis introduced casino bills that included the legalization of poker but ellis received no support from his fellow lamwakers. Poker players have fought for legalized poker for years whether in texas online poker rooms or in brick and mortar establishments. Texas card rooms will be allowed to continue for the time being after state attorney general ken paxton declined to put forth an official position on the legal status of the poker clubs.