The Texas Communicating Gambling Information law gives police the right to arrest you if they believe you communicated information on betting, betting odds, or changes in betting odds with the intention of furthering some kind of gambling activity.
FAQs about the
Communicating Gambling Information law in Texas
- What is the current Texas law about Communicating Gambling Information?
- What is the penalty for a Texas Communicating Gambling Information offense?
- What are the other gambling laws?
- How can I be charged with a Communicating Gambling Information offense in Texas?
- What is the statute of limitations for Communicating Gambling Information in Texas?
- Can you get probation for Communicating Gambling Information in Texas?
- What level of crime is Communicating Gambling Information in Texas?
The Texas legislature codified this criminal offense in Texas Penal Code Section 47.05. The legislature did not update this law in 2025. In fact, this statute has not been amended since 2017, when the legislature made a nonsubstantive reference update.
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Learn more about other gambling laws here.
The Penal Code classifies the Texas Communicating Gambling Information law under Title 10 “Offenses Against Public Health, Safety, And Morals,” Chapter 47 “Gambling.” Learn more about the Texas offense of Communicating Gambling Information below.
What is the current Texas law about Communicating Gambling Information?
AV Preeminent Texas lawyer Paul Saputo provides the current law defining Communicating Gambling Information in Penal Code Section §47.05, as follows:[1]
(a) A person commits an offense if, with the intent to further gambling, he knowingly communicates information as to bets, betting odds, or changes in betting odds or he knowingly provides, installs, or maintains equipment for the transmission or receipt of such information.
What is the penalty for a Texas Communicating Gambling Information offense?
A conviction for Communicating Gambling Information in Texas is punished as a Class A misdemeanor,[2] with a maximum possible fine under Texas state law of up to $4,000 and jail time of up to one year.
What are the other gambling laws?
The Communicating Gambling Information law is only one of the crimes related to gambling in Texas.
Other criminal offenses in Texas related to gambling include:
- PC 47.02 – Gambling
- PC 47.03 – Gambling Promotion
- PC 47.04 – Keeping a Gambling Place
- PC 47.06 – Possession of Gambling Device, Equipment, or Paraphernalia
How can I be charged with a Communicating Gambling Information offense in Texas?
You can be charged with Communicating Gambling Information in Texas if the state’s attorneys believe that each of the elements of §47.05(a) as described in the section above have been met.
What is the statute of limitations for Communicating Gambling Information in Texas?
As a misdemeanor, Communicating Gambling Information charges have a two-year limitations period.[3]
Can you get probation for Communicating Gambling Information in Texas?
The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure allows both judges and juries to grant probation for Communicating Gambling Information, and judges are also allowed to accept deferred adjudication plea deals.[4]
What level of crime is Communicating Gambling Information in Texas?
The Penal Code classifies Communicating Gambling Information as a Class A misdemeanor.
Learn more about the penalty range for this offense in the section above.
Legal References:
^1. Texas Penal Code §47.05. This law is current as of 2025.^2. Texas Penal Code §47.05(c)^3. See Code of Criminal Procedure 12.02(a)^4. See Chapter 42A, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Art. 42A.054, Art. 42A.056, Art. 42A.102
