Nationwide, the Lone Star State pulls in some of the most respectable gambling revenues. According to the data analysis company Statista, the state made almost $750 million across Texan gambling-related industries in 2024 alone. One of the most notable of these industries is poker, given that the state is often considered this card game’s spiritual home. In fact, with over 50 active card rooms, Texas is a prime destination for many players of all skill levels.
That said, anyone planning to dip into the local poker scene has to do so with careful consideration. Despite the beloved card game's widespread popularity, the state's poker landscape is rather nuanced due to limited legalities. So, before you go all in on Texas' poker circuit, here's what you need to know about its online and live sectors.
Going all in on online poker
Currently, there are no licensed online operators in the state. Consequently, those who want to play online poker in Texas opt for globally licensed and recognized sites instead. A long-time favorite for many Texans is Americas Cardroom. Established in 2001, it is the US’ leading online poker site under the reputable Winning Poker Network and operates via an international license from Gaming Curacao. Aside from these, the operator has also cultivated a reliable and trustworthy reputation by offering secure banking and anti-cheating solutions, 24/7 access to huge tourneys across formats like No-Limit Hold’em with prizes of up to $10 million, and comprehensive crypto adoption.
To that last point, Americas Cardroom is even recognized as an early crypto poker pioneer, having started accepting tokens as early as 2014. Today, players can choose from 60 digital tokens to make fast, fee-free deposits and withdrawals. As a testament to their commitment to empowering the poker landscape, they even offer guides that help crypto poker players better utilize their tokens. This is helpful because, as mentioned in our article “Conquer Your Fear of Crypto Trading”, getting the correct information about the cryptocurrency market is a key step to overcoming hesitations and minimizing risks. Within the online poker landscape in Texas, this ensures players can maximize their assets. Crypto poker in Texas is an especially exciting experience, given that up to 21% of the adult population already owns digital tokens.
Betting on live poker
Much like online poker platforms, physical poker in commercial casinos has not yet been licensed. However, poker rooms can exist legally, so long as they don’t earn profits by taking a portion of a player’s earnings. Although not the norm in other states, this approach has actually helped foster a thriving grassroots live poker sector. Presently, homegrown establishments continue to grow without the competition of international gambling giants. For instance, the Austin-based The Lodge Club is the largest poker room in the state and has been able to cement itself as a hub for live Texas Hold’em games.
With this in mind, those familiar with the Texan live poker industry know to be mindful of different club membership fees. This cost is the legal loophole allowing these clubs to profit without infringing on the abovementioned restrictions. These fees can differ significantly from one poker room to the next, but the scale and amenities of the establishment largely determine them. For instance, many who engage in live poker in Texas head to the Champions Club in Houston. Co-founded by poker pro Phil Hellmuth, it is a luxury club that offers a posh experience. This includes boasting 19 tables with VIP seating, 24/7 on-site security, and livestreaming capabilities. Such factors reflect the local poker community’s discerning mindset that has helped keep the physical poker sector as safe and engaging as it is.