Two new poker-related bills have been introduced in the Texas House, but they couldn’t be more different in their goals. One seeks to formally legalize the state’s social poker clubs, while the other aims to shut them down entirely.
Whether either bill will make it to a vote remains uncertain, as the Texas legislature only meets every two years. For now, poker clubs continue to operate in a legal gray area, and online poker remains limited to sweepstakes-style platforms and offshore sites.
The state’s approach to enforcement has been inconsistent. In February, a poker club in Tarrant County was raided and shut down by sheriff’s deputies. Yet, in other parts of Texas, poker rooms—like those owned by poker pros Doug Polk, Brad Owen, and Andrew Neeme—have continued to flourish.
A Push for Legalization
Rep. Ryan Guillen has introduced HB2996, which would explicitly allow poker to be played in private clubs—provided access is restricted to members, special invitees, or those granted prior permission.
Some legal experts remain skeptical about the bill’s chances.
“Yes, it would legalize the state’s social clubs,” said Bob Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University. “But I doubt very much that the bill becomes law. So far, nothing has happened since it’s been filed, and this is really just a new version of Guillen’s bill from 2023.”
That previous bill made it through the Texas House but ultimately failed in the Senate.
Meanwhile, gaming law expert I. Nelson Rose argues that Texas poker clubs don’t clearly fit within current state law. On his Gambling and the Law blog, he noted that Guillen’s bill moves in the right direction but leaves key points unclear.
“It might do the job, but it is far from clear,” Rose told Card Player. “This bill clarifies that poker can be legally played for money in private clubs. But the language about ‘economic benefit’ is unclear. It seems to prohibit clubs from raking pots or renting seats, but charging for memberships could still be an issue if the only benefit of membership is the right to play poker. Politically, there may be reasons for leaving some things vague, but a better approach would be to spell out exactly what they’re trying to achieve.”
The Fight to Shut Poker Clubs Down
On the other side of the debate, Rep. Matt Shaheen has introduced HB2154, a bill that would make poker clubs outright illegal by redefining what qualifies as a “private place” for legal gambling.
Under this bill, poker could only be played in truly private spaces—excluding locations like restaurants, bars, hotels, transportation facilities, and, crucially, for-profit poker clubs.
Shaheen’s office has expressed concerns about how these clubs operate and the potential for criminal activity, such as money laundering.
“My boss views this as an expansion of gambling in Texas, which was never the original intent of the law,” Shaheen’s chief of staff, Josh Garrett, told Card Player. “We see this as a clarification that professional poker clubs were never meant to be allowed under the current statute. However, home games and charity games would still be permitted.”
A Long Road Ahead
It remains to be seen whether either bill will gain traction, but they come at a time when Texas lawmakers are also debating sports betting and casino legislation—both of which face heavy opposition in the Senate.
For now, poker in Texas remains caught in legal limbo, with the future of its social clubs hanging in the balance.
Source: https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/29935-pair-of-bills-could-affect-legality-of-texas-poker-rooms
Whether either bill will make it to a vote remains uncertain, as the Texas legislature only meets every two years. For now, poker clubs continue to operate in a legal gray area, and online poker remains limited to sweepstakes-style platforms and offshore sites.
The state’s approach to enforcement has been inconsistent. In February, a poker club in Tarrant County was raided and shut down by sheriff’s deputies. Yet, in other parts of Texas, poker rooms—like those owned by poker pros Doug Polk, Brad Owen, and Andrew Neeme—have continued to flourish.
A Push for Legalization
Rep. Ryan Guillen has introduced HB2996, which would explicitly allow poker to be played in private clubs—provided access is restricted to members, special invitees, or those granted prior permission.
Some legal experts remain skeptical about the bill’s chances.
“Yes, it would legalize the state’s social clubs,” said Bob Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University. “But I doubt very much that the bill becomes law. So far, nothing has happened since it’s been filed, and this is really just a new version of Guillen’s bill from 2023.”
That previous bill made it through the Texas House but ultimately failed in the Senate.
Meanwhile, gaming law expert I. Nelson Rose argues that Texas poker clubs don’t clearly fit within current state law. On his Gambling and the Law blog, he noted that Guillen’s bill moves in the right direction but leaves key points unclear.
“It might do the job, but it is far from clear,” Rose told Card Player. “This bill clarifies that poker can be legally played for money in private clubs. But the language about ‘economic benefit’ is unclear. It seems to prohibit clubs from raking pots or renting seats, but charging for memberships could still be an issue if the only benefit of membership is the right to play poker. Politically, there may be reasons for leaving some things vague, but a better approach would be to spell out exactly what they’re trying to achieve.”
The Fight to Shut Poker Clubs Down
On the other side of the debate, Rep. Matt Shaheen has introduced HB2154, a bill that would make poker clubs outright illegal by redefining what qualifies as a “private place” for legal gambling.
Under this bill, poker could only be played in truly private spaces—excluding locations like restaurants, bars, hotels, transportation facilities, and, crucially, for-profit poker clubs.
Shaheen’s office has expressed concerns about how these clubs operate and the potential for criminal activity, such as money laundering.
“My boss views this as an expansion of gambling in Texas, which was never the original intent of the law,” Shaheen’s chief of staff, Josh Garrett, told Card Player. “We see this as a clarification that professional poker clubs were never meant to be allowed under the current statute. However, home games and charity games would still be permitted.”
A Long Road Ahead
It remains to be seen whether either bill will gain traction, but they come at a time when Texas lawmakers are also debating sports betting and casino legislation—both of which face heavy opposition in the Senate.
For now, poker in Texas remains caught in legal limbo, with the future of its social clubs hanging in the balance.
Source: https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/29935-pair-of-bills-could-affect-legality-of-texas-poker-rooms
