Penal Code §47.03

In force on Nov 12, 2015 · this text took effect Sep 01, 1994 · same as today's text

GAMBLING PROMOTION

(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. (b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

History: Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 313, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

Source: the Legislature's file server, seen Nov 08, 2026.

Every version on file

Effective Sep 01, 1994 · seen Nov 2026–Nov 2026

Attorney General opinions that cite it

KP-0057 (Nov 12, 2015): The legality of fantasy sports leagues under Texas law
GA-0804 (Jan 14, 2010): Whether a particular activity constitutes an offense under chapter 47 of the Penal Code, which proscribes certain forms of gambling
GA-0385 (Jun 29, 2005): Whether a nonprofit organization that sponsors a “poker run” violates gambling statutes

A research copy. The official text is the Legislature's (statutes), the Secretary of State's (Texas Administrative Code) or eCFR's (federal rules). Not legal advice.