Currently the Texas Lottery commission presides over and regulates charity and social gambling. At the moment social, charitable and standard forms of gambling are legal, or legal via loopholes deployed, such as casino cruises. In the early 20th century pari-mutuel betting was legalized and paved the way for betting on horse and dog races, which was officially outlawed later. Gambling laws in Texas are rather complicated due to the history of legislation and consequent amendments, for example it is legal for Casinos to operate slot machines, but illegal to pay out cash prizes. In February 2019 a Bill regulating sports betting in Texas was introduced. Texas does offer Casino Cruises, taking passengers on international waters to avoid gambling laws completely.

Currently standard forms of sports betting such as betting on dog and horse races, are legal as well as Casinos on native land, owed by the tribes.

Interestingly there is no specific law about the legality of online gambling, but online casinos are effectively prohibited. Historically, its gaming and gambling were outlawed in the 70’s, meaning the state has a longstanding opposition to most gambling and, at the time of writing this, sports betting is illegal in the state of Texas.