The Gambling Promotion crime in the state of Texas gives police the right to arrest you if they believe you operate a variety of different gambling operations. Learn more detailed information about the Gambling Promotion offense below.

Gambling Promotion is classified in the Texas Penal Code under Title 10 “Offenses Against Public Health, Safety, And Morals,” Chapter 47 “Gambling.”

What is the current Texas law about Gambling Promotion?

The current Texas law defines the offense of Gambling Promotion in Penal Code Section §47.03 as follows:^[1]

(a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly does any of the following acts:

(1) operates or participates in the earnings of a gambling place;

(2) engages in bookmaking;

(3) for gain, becomes a custodian of anything of value bet or offered to be bet;

(4) sells chances on the partial or final result of or on the margin of victory in any game or contest or on the performance of any participant in any game or contest or on the result of any political nomination, appointment, or election or on the degree of success of any nominee, appointee, or candidate; or

(5) for gain, sets up or promotes any lottery or sells or offers to sell or knowingly possesses for transfer, or transfers any card, stub, ticket, check, or other device designed to serve as evidence of participation in any lottery.

How can I be charged with Gambling Promotion?

You can be charged with Gambling Promotion if the state’s attorneys believe that each of the elements of 47.03(a) as described in the section above have been met.

What is the punishment for Gambling Promotion?

A conviction for Gambling Promotion 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. Learn about the differences between grades of felonies and misdemeanors

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Legal References:

^1. Texas Penal Code §47.03^2. Texas Penal Code §47.03(b)