Bill > HB2154

This bill modifies the legal definition of a "private place" in Texas' Penal Code for gambling criminal offense purposes by explicitly adding commercial gaming enterprises to the list of locations that are not considered private places. Specifically, the bill defines "commercial gaming enterprise" to include for-profit poker clubs, card clubs, and game rooms, which means these types of establishments would be treated as public spaces when determining gambling-related criminal offenses. By making this change, the bill expands the scope of places where certain gambling activities might be considered illegal. The bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will only apply to offenses committed on or after that date, meaning any offenses committed before that date will be governed by the previous version of the law. This modification provides clearer guidance on what constitutes a private versus a public place in the context of gambling-related legal proceedings.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2154