From Dusk till Dawn: Gaming in Texas
Technically, there are no casinos or bookmakers in Texas, in a physical venue or online, because gambling is strictly prohibited in the state. If you want to gamble, you’ll have to leave Texas. But you don’t have to leave the state physically, although that is certainly one option. In fact, there are two more, namely offshore and overseas casinos.
Now, if you decide to play online, you will find all the wagering opportunities you might be looking for. You can open an account in a 5 euro deposit casino, get a welcome bonus and enjoy your favourite games in the comfort of your home. All three options have their pros and cons, though, and your choice will depend on your personal preferences too.
Nearby States
There are lots of great casinos near Texas, especially in Louisiana, and many people go there for this purpose. The drawback is, you might have to travel a long distance, depending on your location in Texas. For example, if you live in Houston, the nearest decent casino to you is by Lake Charles, almost 150 miles away.
Kickapoo Lucky Eagle in Eagle Pass is another excellent venue, but it will probably be of little use if you live in Dallas. Basically, it becomes an occasional event, and a relatively expensive one too. Plus, there is no need for that in our age of the internet and mobile apps.
Still, it helps to know that there are some places which abide by the tribal laws and can, therefore, provide gambling services in Texas. If you want to give them a try, Kickapoo, Naskila and Speaking Rock are certainly worth visiting. Otherwise, let’s take a quick look at the other two alternatives.
Two Words of Caution
- Gambling with or without real money before the age 21 is strictly prohibited in Texas, in a physical venue or on your smartphone. If you get caught, you might have to pay a huge fine or even spend some time in a place where you will definitely have no access to any online casino at all.
- Most people play casino games for recreational purposes. Yet, there are many gambling addicts too, and if you begin to suspect that you are becoming one of them, don’t hesitate to contact Gamblers Anonymous or its equivalent in your area.
Offshore Gaming
The idea is simple: since gambling is illegal in Texas, you register your casino in another location, and the authorities have no jurisdiction over you. In fact, virtually all the online gaming platforms in this state are offshore companies.
The principal advantage is, you have a casino near you to enjoy all the games and betting options without travelling far or violating the law. Its most considerable drawback is, these casinos often have no licenses. If you have a problem with them, there will be nobody for you to appeal to.
Still, things aren’t that bad, and a casino being offshore doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a scam. But you should check its legal status and registrations before depositing big money in it, or you might easily land in trouble and never see your winnings.
Overseas Casinos
An offshore casino is a local company registered elsewhere, whereas the third way to escape Texas involves opening an account on an online foreign platform. Their most immediate advantages are the better chances that they are perfectly legitimate, and, generally, better selections of games and wagering options.
Many gamblers in Texas prefer these casinos for their convenience and legitimate status. The potential cons are, their licensing authorities may be far away (Malta, for example), and their customer support might not always speak good English. Still, far though the MGA may be, don’t think that you are totally unprotected. You can file a complaint, and it will certainly be processed.
Final Word
Betting online is definitely more convenient for many reasons. And whether an online casino is offshore or foreign is not as important as its licensing and reputation on the market. Plus, if it has a reputation and provides good services too, you can enjoy gambling freely, even in Texas. And an occasional trip to El Paso or Livingston can also add to the romantic thrill of gaming experience.