Texas To Legalize Texas Hold'em Poker?Bill Introduced That Would Allow Activity At Existing Gambling Businesses |
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The state of Texas might soon allow poker at its existing gambling establishments.
A bill introduced this week calls for licensing live poker for businesses within the state. The bill implies that cash game stakes could be whatever the house wants, but the text says that tournaments have a buy-in limit of $100.
The law — dubbed the “Poker Gaming Act of 2013” — would not allow for online poker or other brick-and-mortar casino games. Additionally, video poker and other electronic versions of the game would still not be OK.
Texas currently has bingo halls, pari-mutuel facilities, tribal casinos and state-owned lotteries. A separate plan floating around the state would allow for commercial casinos. That proposal could also come up in 2013.
The maximum rake in Texas would be 10 percent of the pot up to $4, with a possible additional $1 drop for player bonuses.
Under the bill, a chunk of poker tax revenue would go to help the homeless.