By Texas should be a top contender for sports betting, but state law currently prohibits any regulated mobile or retail wagering. While there are tribal casinos in Texas, none offer legal sportsbooks, leaving most residents without in-state options to place bets.
That doesn’t mean Texans have to miss out. Offshore sportsbooks like BetOnline, Bovada, and MyBookie provide secure, reliable platforms with competitive odds, easy deposit and withdrawal options, and mobile-friendly sites. Keep reading to understand your legal standing, how to safely bet offshore, and which sportsbooks are trusted by Texans looking to play.
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Quick Texas Facts
| State | Texas |
|---|---|
| ⚖️ Sports Betting Laws | Illegal. No regulated sportsbooks available. Offshore betting is common. |
| 👫 Population | About 30 million residents. |
| 👶 Minimum Gambling Age | 21 years old. |
| 🏙️ Retail Sports Betting | Not legal in Texas. |
| 🌐 Online Sports Betting | Not legal in Texas. |
| 📱 Mobile Sports Betting | Not allowed under current law. |
| 🐎 Online Horse Betting | Not legal in Texas. |
| 🏆 DFS | Legal and popular in Texas. |
Is Sports Betting Legal In Texas?
No, sports betting is not legal in Texas and there’s no sign this will change soon. In 2023, a bill to legalize betting passed the Texas House for the first time, marking some progress. However, it was quickly blocked in the Senate by Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, a strong opponent of legalized wagering. Because of this, no new betting legislation can be proposed until 2025.
Patrick’s firm stance is a major barrier to sports betting in Texas. As the Senate leader and one of the state’s top officials, his opposition has effectively stalled any movement on legalization. Until he leaves office, it’s unlikely Texas will open the door to legal sports betting.
For now, Texans who want to bet legally should turn to offshore sportsbooks. These sites operate outside U.S. jurisdiction, so Texas laws don’t apply to them. Offshore platforms offer safe, accessible betting options and, in many cases, provide features and bonuses that surpass those of well-known U.S. operators like FanDuel.
Latest Texas Legal Betting Updates
Jul 02, 2025 10:05 AM
Police identified an intoxicated international sports bettor as the source of death threats made against the family of Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., though no charges have been filed.
Texas Sports Betting Timeline
Despite sports betting not being pushed through the door in Texas, there's been no shortage of attempts to change things. With this much money on the line, all the big influences are in full force to get the state to change it's mind. Here's a small timeline of what's transpired as of late as it pertains to legalized sports betting:
Best Sportsbook In Each Category In Texas
| Best overall |  |
|---|---|
| Best bonuses | |
| Most unique bonuses | BetNow |
| Top VIP program | MyBookie |
| Best reputation | Bovada |
| Best sportsbook | BetOnline |
| Best casino | Everygame |
| Best mobile app | XBet |
| Best for live betting | Everygame |
| Best for new players | Bovada |
| Best up-and-coming sportsbook | XBet |
Top 7 Texas Sports Betting Sites
Look, we get it — there’s way too many offshore betting sites out there. That’s why we’ve whittled it down to the seven best bookmakers for Texas bettors. If you’re going to bet, start here:
- BetUS - Best promotional bonuses in the business.
- Bovada - User-friendly interface and reliable mobile betting experience.
- BetOnline - Competitive odds and early line releases.
- XBet - Excellent mobile app for on-the-go betting.
- BetNow - Generous promotional bonuses, plus a wide variety of options.
- MyBookie - Innovative rewards programs offering.
- Everygame - Long-standing reputation and multi-language support for international bettors.
#1 BetUS
#2 Bovada
#3 BetOnline
#4 XBet
#5 BetNow
#6 MyBookie
#7 Everygame
Where Are Sportsbooks Like Fanduel, DraftKings, Ceasars?
These popular bookmakers, along with the likes of ESPN Bet or Fanatics, are NOT allowed in Texas — and will not unless the state passes legalized wagering. As we said earlier, we have strong doubts about that changing anytime soon, which casts serious doubt that these commercial operators ever enter the state. Trying out any of these platforms won’t go far as they’ll have you geo-blocked if inside the state (not even VPNs can mask your real location).
The only alternatives are finding an in-person bookie to handle your bets or going offshore. We personally believe the latter is more trustworthy— so long as you’re using one of the seven bookies we recommended above.
Latest Texas Betting News
Betting On Politics, Esports, Entertainment In Texas
Over the past few years, betting has gone beyond just fields or courts. Now, money can be thrown on outcomes in political elections or award shows or heck, scripted programming too. This has been made possible by offshore betting sites, which exclusively offer these types of wagers. Commercial operators are banned by state regulators (even in states where betting is legal) since they’re not true sports.
No restrictions exist at offshore sites though. This is another massive reason to opt into the world of offshore betting. Not only is it freely available no matter the state or country, but the betting markets are also more free.
Betting Apps In Texas
We could write a few thousands words on Texas betting apps for your phone. In fact, that’s exactly what we’ve done in our guide to Texas betting apps. This is the most comprehensive look at the best apps to take on the go with. It somewhat mirrors our top-7 list above, but with some key differences. Reading that guide is a must given mobile betting is only going to get more and more common.
Start Betting In Texas Today — Our Guides
We don’t want you to just bet in Texas. No, we want you to actually win some bucks at this damn thing. It’s possible, but you got to study separately. Here are links to five betting guides we wrote geared toward understanding and succeeding at wagering:
- Top Betting Tips — want to make money wagering? Read this!
- Best Sports Betting Strategies — the above article is a college 101 class to this one, which take your betting to the next level!
- How Do Odds Work — self-explanatory here, learn everything there is to know about understanding betting odds.
- Types of Sports Bets — a complete primer to the various types of sports betting forms.
- Betting Odds Calculator — calculate how much money a bet or parlay pays out.
Payment Methods Available For Texas Sportsbooks
One of the biggest sticking points bettors have with sportsbooks is depositing money. Mainly, bettors think it’s more complicated than it really is. Spoiler alert: it’s not.
Offshore sportsbooks accept a wide variety of payment methods. That includes cryptocurrency support, which is another thing commercial operators are restricted from doing. We have guides to using Bitcoin on these sites, plus other popular payment forms:
- VISA — the co-most popular card accepted on betting sites.
- Mastercard — the other co-most popular card across the betting landscape.
- Bitcoin — the payment method that'll earn you the most free play.
- Bank wire — the tried-and-true payment method.
Texas Casinos And Resorts
There are three tribal casinos in the state of Texas that offer casino games and are regulated by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The hope is that any future Texas sports betting bills will result in legalizing sports betting in the state and in turn more casinos opening up in the future.
Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino is located in Eagle Pass and owned by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas. The casino boasts slot machines, bingo, and poker tables with Limit Holdem, No-Limit Holdem and 7 Card Stud.
The Speaking Rock Entertainment Center is located in El Paso, owned by the Tigua Tribe of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. While it’s not technically a casino, the Speaking Rock Entertainment center boasts high-stakes bingo and poker.
Naskila Gaming is located in Livingston and is owned by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe. Naskila recently reopened in 2016, after being shut down by the state. They have over 365 bingo slot machines.
There is also a casino boat in Texas called the Jacks or Better Casino, based in Galveston. The ship cruises from the Galveston Yacht Basin twice a day, out to international waters where gambling is technically legal. The casino offers a sportsbook, 180 slots, and a variety of table games.
| Name | City | Type | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino | Eagle Pass | Tribal | 830-773-2255 |
| Naskila Gaming | Livingston | Tribal | 936-563-2946 |
| Speaking Rock Entertainment Center | El Paso | Tribal | Closed |
History Of Texas Legalization Efforts
Texas has tried and failed to legalize sports betting on multiple occasions in the last decade or so. Here's a quick summary of those efforts:
2018-2020: No Go For Now
The first thing to know about these three years is that the Texas State Legislature only met during one of them. They do not meet during odd years, so 2018 and 2020 saw no prospect for finding sports betting legal soon.
But in 2019, Rep. Eddie Lucio introduced a house sports betting bill that would have legalized sports betting in the Lone Star State. Because Texas does not have any non-tribal casinos at all, it would have only allowed for online legal Texas sports betting.
The bill was introduced by a Democrat, and the Texas Legislature is dominated by Republicans. So yes, it ended up going nowhere, which is the trend we remain one all these years later.
2021 - Now Sports Betting Alliance Makes a Push
The Texas Sports Betting Alliance was founded in February of 2021. This alliance is made up of five professional sports teams, and they are throwing their weight behind a change to the Texas Constitution.
These amendments would put sports betting up for a vote. This was Texas voters would be able to decide whether or not to allow for the opening up of sports betting legal markets in their own state. Its prospects are not bright, but the arrival of such a powerful alliance puts some air under their wings at the very least.
During these three years, more bills have been created to legalize sports betting. All but one failed to even make it to the Senate. The outlier bill went nowhere once in the Senate too.
Betting on Texas Sports Teams
The good thing is Texas is a mecca for pro sports, which makes its betting prospects all the more thrilling. Here's how to get action on the major sports teams in the state:
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans entered the NFL in the early 2000s. Since then, they've carved out a niche fanbase in a state usually dominated by the Cowboys. Speking of which, lets talk about them damn Cowboys next...
Dallas Cowboys
One of the most legendary teams in all of the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys go by "America's Team", for better or worse. This means the attention is always on them, especially when betting. Dallas routinely get the most betting action in the league.
Dallas Mavericks
Now we switch our attention to basketball. The Dallas Mavericks play in the NBA's Western Conference, and they their home games at the American Airlines Center. One of their most successful periods was in the 1980s, and another started in 1998 with the acquisition of Dirk Nowitzki.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets play in the Western Conference Southwest Division and at the Toyota Center in Downtown Houston. The team was founded in 1967 and played initially in San Diego, until they moved to Houston in 1971, just four years later. Some of the most legendary names in all of basketball have passed through this roster: Charles Barkley, Yao Ming, James Harden, and Hakeem Olajuwon.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs franchise was founded in 1967 as part of the American Basketball Association. They were one of four teams to remain intact after the merger into the National Basketball Association in 1976. They have been an extremely successful basketball over the years and have won several NBA Championship.
Texas Rangers
Based in the Dalls-Fort Worth area, the Rangers have aspirations to represent all of Texas. They are a member of the American League, West Division and play at the Globe Life Field in Arlington. They started out in Washington DC in 1961 and moved to Arlington in 1971, where they have been ever since!
Houston Astros
The Astros play in the same league and division as their fellow Texans: the AL West. They were first established as the Houston Colt .45s in 1962. They are now in the Astrodome and their name reflects the Johnson Space Center, where the famous "Houston We have a Problem" sounded. Since their founding, they have been a moderately successful team including a World Series win in 2017, two years before they were featured in the sign-stealing scandal.
Dallas Stars
The Stars are the only NHL team in Texas. They only arrived in Dallas in the 1993-1994 season and have since been a successful team, including inducting brothers Derian and Kevin Hatcher into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.
Other Types Of Betting In Texas
Remember earlier when we said DraftKings and FanDuel don’t work inside of Texas? Well, we were wrong, sort of. Their sportsbook platforms are strictly off limits, but let’s not forget both started as daily fantasy sports operators. They still offer those services and Texas takes in those bets as it’s not considered gambling in their eyes. There are a host of other DFS apps that work in Texas, but DraftKings and FanDuel remain the big dogs in the space.
Wagering on horse racing is also allowed in Texas — but in-person only, not online. All betting must be done at local horse-racing venues, which there are many in those horse-obsessed state.
Texas also has its own lottery system too. This is not only legal, but it’s quite accessible with tickets being sold at convenience stores in every corner. Most of the money goes to Texas Powerball (which pays the most), but the state offers several different lotteries.
What is NOT allowed in Texas is casino gambling EXCEPT if it takes place in one of the three Native American-owned establishments. References our previous list of casino locations as that’s the only in-person option (offshore sites usually have online casino sections).
Texas Betting Resources
International Sportsbooks
Bonuses for International Sportsbooks
Payment Methods for Non-regulated States
Texas Betting Apps
U.S. Betting Legislation
Online Betting Guides
Sports Betting Rules In Each State
Responsible Gaming In Texas
Gambling should be fun, but let’s be real, it can turn ugly if one is not careful. That’s why we wanted to finish with an important note about responsible betting, or more specifically, when things begin to go irresponsible.
Irresponsible betting often begins when gambling shifts from entertainment to a “cashing” losses or trying to solve financial problems. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that just “one more bet” will turn everything around, but this mindset can quickly lead to larger losses and worse, complete ruin (on the extreme end). Signs of irresponsible betting include wagering more money than you can afford to lose, neglecting personal responsibilities to gamble, and feeling anxiety or stress related to your betting activities.
The negative thing about sports betting not being legal in Texas yet is, well, there are not ab abundance of local resources for problem gambling (since it shouldn't exist in the first place). Most states that legalize put infrastructure in place to help problem players. Not that Texas doesn’t have some local help, but not a lot. Thankfully, there are many nationalized programs in case betting ever stops being fun. We’ve linked the most valuable resources below:
Gamble Aware (https://www.gambleaware.org/)
A non-profit organization providing resources and support for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
International Center for Responsible Gaming (https://www.icrg.org/)
The International Center for Responsible Gaming (CRG) is a research institution dedicated to promoting safe gambling practices and addressing gambling-related issues.
24/7 Gambling Support Line (https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/about-the-national-problem-gambling-helpline/)
A round-the-clock helpline offering immediate assistance and guidance for those experiencing gambling-related problems.
Here are a few of Texas-based resources:
Texas Problem Gambling Helpline (https://www.texas.gov)
A 24/7 confidential helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) providing support, information, and treatment referrals for individuals struggling with gambling addiction in Texas.
Texas Department of Health and Human Services – Problem Gambling Resources (https://www.hhs.texas.gov)
Offers resources, counseling, and referrals for treatment services for individuals and families affected by problem gambling in Texas.
Recovery Unplugged – Gambling Addiction Treatment (https://www.recoveryunplugged.com)
Provides specialized treatment programs, including outpatient and inpatient services, for individuals dealing with gambling addiction in Texas.