SB765
Charitable gaming; definition of poker events, prohibited practices.
Status:
In House
Latest Action:
Feb. 9, 2026
House: Referred to Committee on General Laws
Chief Patron:
Michael Jones (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Passed House of Origin. Charitable gaming; poker tournaments and events.
Defines poker event for the purposes of charitable gaming to mean a Texas Hold'em poker game or Texas Hold'em poker tournament in which (i) a schedule of fixed and variable fees for entry into the poker event and the number of chips received for such fees is established and posted; ... (More) (ii) chips with cash value are permitted to be used; (iii) games and tournaments may be run concurrently; (iv) no limit applies to how many poker events occur during the time listed on the permit for such poker event; and (v) a seating fee may be charged at a rate of up to $8 up to once every 30 minutes. The bill removes from the definition of Texas Hold'em poker tournament the requirement that running out of poker chips eliminates an individual from the competition and raises the participation age of poker events from 18 to 21 years of age. The bill prohibits unlimited rebuys after the first two hours of tournament play or until the first break with one add-on permitted at the end of the rebuy period. The bill requires any qualified organization that conducts any poker event to use at least 20 percent of its poker adjusted gross receipts, defined in the bill, from the conduct of Texas Hold'em poker tournaments for (a) those lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational purposes for which the organization is specifically chartered or organized or (b) those expenses related to the acquisition, construction, maintenance, or repair of any interest in real property involved in the operation of the organization and used for lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational purposes. The bill also outlines certain specifics related to the conduct of poker events, including remuneration to operators and tips or gratuities paid to dealers and employees of such operators. Finally, the bill prohibits any qualified organization from permitting a Texas Hold’em poker game that is not a Texas Hold’em poker tournament to be conducted outside of its social quarters or from permitting participation in such game by any person who is not a bona fide member of the organization. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/21/2026 - Senate: Presented and ordered printed 26105308D
- 01/21/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
- 01/21/2026 - Senate: Unanimous consent to introduce
- 01/23/2026 - Senate: Assigned GL&T sub: Gaming
- 01/23/2026 - Senate: Senate subcommittee offered
- 01/26/2026 - Senate: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB765)
- 01/28/2026 - Senate: Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute (12-Y 3-N)
- 01/29/2026 - Senate: Committee substitute printed 26106570D-S1
- 01/30/2026 - Senate: Rules suspended
- 01/30/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 01/30/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- 02/02/2026 - Senate: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB765)
- 02/02/2026 - Senate: Read second time
- 02/02/2026 - Senate: General Laws and Technology Substitute agreed to
- 02/02/2026 - Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)
- 02/03/2026 - Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (31-Y 8-N 0-A)
- 02/09/2026 - House: Placed on Calendar
- 02/09/2026 - House: Read first time
- 02/09/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on General Laws
