Universities Starting to Take Aim at Illegal Texas Sports Betting

West Texas A&M University is taking a stand against illegal Texas sports betting sites. 

In a move clearly aimed at preventing access to offshore betting sites, the school recently announced that they will be blocking access to all gambling-related web pages for anyone connected to campus internet or using school-issued devices. 

Though the operative word here is “all,” this is obviously related to international sportsbooks. Because online sports betting in Texas isn’t yet legal, operators such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, etc. already deny access to anyone attempting to bet on sports while in The Lone Star State. 

Of course, the fallout is more complex than this simplification. Let’s break it down.

This is Not the First University to Take Aim at Illegal Texas Sports Betting

While this news is a big deal, it’s not totally unique. Other universities have taken similar stands against illegal Texas sports betting using identical approaches. Here is T.J. McBride from PlayTexas with more:

“Many schools, at all levels, have some sort of website blocker built into their online infrastructure. Usually, these blockers take the form of software on school-owned devices and a website blocker within the wireless router that students and faculty use to connect to the Internet on campus. That technology can be fine-tuned to block any sites West Texas A&M decides to block. According to a post in the West Texas A&M University student paper, the school appears to be following a similar process.

“‘Under the new policy, effective immediately, WT students, faculty and staff members will not be allowed to access any online gambling site utilizing state resources, including any WT-owned cell phones, laptops, tablets, desktops, and other Internet-connected devices. Such websites also will be blocked for anyone using WT-provided WiFi, which includes visitors to Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the WT Enterprise Center and Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center.’”

Basically, it sounds like West Texas A&M will be using geotracking software similar to what is deployed by online sportsbooks in the United States. Granted, many of those companies use proprietary software—and likely have more financial resources to put behind it. But the general idea remains the same.

Will These Anti-Gambling Measures Be Successful?

This is a loaded question. No measures that restrict sports betting in Texas will be 100 percent effective. There will always be workarounds.

At the highest level, anyone with geotracking-blocker software on their device will be able to visit sports betting sites in the USA while on campus property. West Texas A&M’s initiative seems like it will be most effective on its own issued devices. They can theoretically block the installation of software that circumvents their blockers.

Still, at its core, this is an initiative aimed at protecting students while on campus. It will not carry the same level of efficacy off campus. Too many variables come into play. 

The Lone Star State at large has come to understand as much. Back in 2022, officials wanted to restrict access to offshore sports betting sites in Texas. Nothing really came of the initiative. And that makes sense. The resources it would require to make a dent in the Texas sports betting market are likely too substantial.

Remember, while Texas sports betting is not yet legalized, residents are still finding ways to place wagers. A November 2022 study at D Magazine estimated that over $5 billion is spent on Texas sports betting each year. While this projection includes money wagered in other states with legal sports betting, it ultimately suggests that Texas offshore sports betting is a multibillion dollar venture. 

As crass as it sounds, there is no way of totally wiping out that venture. And even making a dent in its popularity may require more than sophisticated software blockers.

Could the Legalization of Texas Sports Betting Actually be the Answer?

In a broad context, the legalization of Texas sports betting would go a long way toward shrinking the offshore market. After all, Texans will not be as likely to seek out international operators if they have licensed domestic sportsbooks at their disposal. 

To this end, states that legalize online sports betting usually see a downtick in offshore wagering. So if Texas is serious about cutting into the international sportsbooks hold over the market, this will be a talking point during 2025 legislative meetings.

Then again, lawmakers have no doubt already considered this aspect of the order. Numerous attempts to legalize online sports betting in Texas are already in the books. There is no way this subject wasn’t broached. Many policymakers definitely see the validity in it. But once again, it is a solution to one problem that begets another.

Multiple studies also show that the legalization of sports betting in the United States leads to marked increases in problem gambling reports. This particular downside has heavily factored into opposing views of Texas sports betting and casino legalization. It is not going anywhere, either. Especially as other states begin grappling with certain challenging realities of sports betting.

Underage exposure is among these dilemmas. The NCAA has taken a public stance against collegiate sports betting. And universities like West Texas A&M will have a much harder time restricting access to any online sportsbooks.

As you can tell it’s a complicated issue. But the risk of underage Texas sports betting is bound to be a primary focus as the state considers legalization in the months and years to come. 

Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can find one that works for all of your sports betting needs: