How Many Casinos Are in Texas?

The State of Texas does not allow casino gambling unless it’s done at a tribal casino located on reservation land. There are three of these. The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas operates the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass. The Tigua Tribe has the Speaking Rock Entertainment Center in El Paso, and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe runs Naskilla Gaming in Livingston.

There are also several horse and dog tracks in Texas, but they are highly regulated and need to be in specific counties. Sports betting is illegal, but there have been several bills in the Texas legislature over the years to change that. The most recent effort was in 2021 when a bill backed by the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers failed to get the necessary support.

The Casino Experience in Texas

The Kickapoo Lucky Eagle is the only one of the three Indian casinos to receive the full support of Texas legislators. There have been several efforts to shut down Speaking Rock and Naskilla Gaming, but they’ve managed to maintain their Class III gaming licenses. That means you’ll find slots, video poker games, and live tables at each of those locations. 

Another option for enjoying casino gambling while you’re in Texas is to jump on a casino cruise ship. The Pride of Mississippi and the Europa Jet have been operating out of the Port of Galveston since 1989. The Island Dawn sails out of Port Isabel, and the Entertainer departs from South Padre Island. Each of these boats offers legalized casino gambling. 

There are three Class I horse tracks in Texas that are allowed an unlimited number of race days. They are Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Retama Park in Selma, and Sam Houston Race Park in Houston. You can also find greyhound dog tracks in Cameron, Galveston, and Nueces. Many of them are just simulcast, but Gulf Greyhound Park is still running live races. 

What to Do When You’re Not Gambling

Texas is a BIG state, so there is a lot to do when you’re not gambling. The number one tourist attraction is the Alamo in San Antonio. It’s roughly 150 miles from Kickapoo, which is “just down the road apiece” by Texas standards. You could also play a little blackjack at the San Antonio Poker Palace. It’s not a casino, but you can play some cards there. 

If you’re planning a gambling cruise on the Entertainer, be sure to check out the Padre Island National Seashore. It’s an undeveloped 70-mile strip on the island's north side where you can see cormorants, egrets, herons, pelicans, and even a sea turtle or two if you’re lucky. It is literally untouched by man, so be respectful when you go. 

Gamblers at the Sam Houston Race Track in Houston should take some time to visit the Space Center. You can see the Mercury 9 capsule, which was the last craft launched in that program, along with Gemini and Apollo crafts and memorabilia from America’s golden age of space flight. There’s even a rebuilt Saturn V rocket there. That’s what we used before the space shuttle.

Rules and Regulations for Gambling in Texas

Texas is not a state that’s known for a warm acceptance of casinos or online gambling. The latter is still illegal. The former is allowed only on three Indian reservations. Repeated efforts to change the laws around this have continuously failed. The state even limits the number of horse tracks and dog tracks that can run unlimited races. It’s a tough place to be a gambler. 

Casino boats that sail past state lines have found a way to circumvent the gambling laws in Texas, and “poker rooms,” which are not casinos, are fairly easy to find. There are also several “game rooms” in Texas where you can find machines called “eight liners.” They’re not supposed to pay out more than $5 in winnings, but many of them do.