Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas?

Is sports betting legal in Texas?

No. Sports betting is not legal in Texas, either online or in person. There are no licensed sportsbooks in the state, and none of the operators we rank can accept a bet from a phone located in Texas. That makes the second most populous state in the country the largest market in the US without any legal sports wagering.

Legalisation would almost certainly require a constitutional amendment, which means two-thirds support in both chambers of the legislature followed by a public vote. In 2023 the Texas House approved a sports betting resolution, but it died in the Senate. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who controls the Senate agenda, has repeatedly said the votes are not there, and similar efforts in 2025 also failed.

Daily fantasy, sweepstakes and prediction markets

In the absence of legal sportsbooks, Texans have been targeted by alternatives such as daily fantasy contests, sweepstakes casinos and prediction markets. Their legal status is debated, and state officials have scrutinised some of them; in 2026 the Lieutenant Governor asked a Senate committee to study prediction markets ahead of the 2027 session. None of these products is a licensed sportsbook. If you choose to use one, read the terms closely and understand that state consumer protections for sports betting do not exist in Texas because there is no regulated market.

When could Texas legalise sports betting?

The Texas Legislature meets in regular session only in odd-numbered years, so there has been no opportunity to pass a sports betting bill in 2026. The next realistic window is the 2027 session, and even if lawmakers approve an amendment then, voters would still have to ratify it before any sportsbook could launch.

Industry groups, including a coalition backed by Texas professional teams, continue to campaign for legalisation, but we would not expect legal Texas sportsbooks to open before 2028 at the earliest.

Where Texans can bet legally

Texas residents who want to place a legal bet need to be in another state. Louisiana and Arkansas both allow mobile sports betting, and Shreveport and Lake Charles are popular destinations for East Texans. New Mexico permits in-person betting at tribal casinos, while Oklahoma has no legal sports betting. Whichever state you visit, your phone must be inside its borders when the bet is placed.

We strongly advise against offshore sportsbooks that target Texans. They hold no US licence, are not overseen by any state regulator and offer no protection if your winnings are withheld.

A state built on sport

From the Cowboys and Texans to the Rangers, Astros, Mavericks, Rockets, Spurs and Stars, plus Longhorns and Aggies football, Texas has more major teams than almost any state. Texas has no personal income tax, which matters for anyone who wins while betting legally elsewhere, though federal tax still applies. If gambling is causing harm, the national 1-800-GAMBLER line offers free, confidential help.