# Tex. Penal Code § 47.02: GAMBLING

> Texas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cpe_C47_S47.02

## Section

- **Citation:** Tex. Penal Code § 47.02
- **Heading:** GAMBLING
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TX Code / Code pe / Chapter 47 / Section 47.02

## Text

(a) A person commits an offense if he:

(1) makes a bet on the partial or final result of a game or contest or on the performance of a participant in a game or contest;

(2) makes a bet on the result of any political nomination, appointment, or election or on the degree of success of any nominee, appointee, or candidate; or

(3) plays and bets for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, balls, or any other gambling device.

(b) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that:

(1) the actor engaged in gambling in a private place;

(2) no person received any economic benefit other than personal winnings; and

(3) except for the advantage of skill or luck, the risks of losing and the chances of winning were the same for all participants.

(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the actor reasonably believed that the conduct:

(1) was permitted under Chapter 2001, Occupations Code;

(2) was permitted under Chapter 2002, Occupations Code;

(3) was permitted under Chapter 2004, Occupations Code;

(4) consisted entirely of participation in the state lottery authorized by the State Lottery Act (Chapter 466, Government Code);

(5) was permitted under Subtitle A-1, Title 13, Occupations Code (Texas Racing Act); or

(6) consisted entirely of participation in a drawing for the opportunity to participate in a hunting, fishing, or other recreational event conducted by the Parks and Wildlife Department.

(d) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

(e) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that a person played for something of value other than money using an electronic, electromechanical, or mechanical contrivance excluded from the definition of "gambling device" under Section 47.01(4)(B).

## Nearby sections

- [Tex. Penal Code § 47.01 § 47.01. DEFINITIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cpe_C47_S47.01.md)
- [Tex. Penal Code § 47.02 § 47.02. GAMBLING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cpe_C47_S47.02.md)
- [Tex. Penal Code § 47.03 § 47.03. GAMBLING PROMOTION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cpe_C47_S47.03.md)
- [Tex. Penal Code § 47.04 § 47.04. KEEPING A GAMBLING PLACE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cpe_C47_S47.04.md)
- [Tex. Penal Code § 47.05 § 47.05. COMMUNICATING GAMBLING INFORMATION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cpe_C47_S47.05.md)
- [Tex. Penal Code § 47.06 § 47.06. POSSESSION OF GAMBLING DEVICE, EQUIPMENT, OR PARAPHERNALIA.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cpe_C47_S47.06.md)
- [Tex. Penal Code § 47.07 § 47.07. EVIDENCE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cpe_C47_S47.07.md)
- [Tex. Penal Code § 47.08 § 47.08. TESTIMONIAL IMMUNITY.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cpe_C47_S47.08.md)
- [Tex. Penal Code § 47.09 § 47.09. OTHER DEFENSES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cpe_C47_S47.09.md)
- [Tex. Penal Code § 47.10 § 47.10. AMERICAN DOCUMENTATION OF VESSEL REQUIRED.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cpe_C47_S47.10.md)
- [Tex. Penal Code § 47.11 § 47.11. DEPOSITS IN CERTAIN ACCOUNTS NOT CONSIDERATION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cpe_C47_S47.11.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cpe_C47_S47.02. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.