Is online gambling legal in Texas? A clear 2026 guide to Texas sports betting and casino laws, what’s legal right now, the alternatives available and where the legislation stands.
Sports betting is not legal in Texas. No bill authorizing sportsbooks has passed, and because the Texas Legislature meets only in odd-numbered years, the calendar itself slows everything down. For now, no licensed sportsbook can take a bet from inside the state.
In this article 19 sections
- Is sports betting legal in Texas?
- What can you do in Texas?
- Texas sports betting by the numbers
- What’s likely next
- What about the apps advertised in Texas?
- Popular teams (for when betting arrives)
- Why isn’t it legal yet?
- The risk of offshore and unlicensed apps
- How to follow the legalization effort
- Texas betting: a brief history
- What to look for when a legal market opens
- Where Texas bettors can play legally right now
- Betting vs. casino vs. DFS vs. prediction markets in Texas
- Responsible gambling in Texas
- Texas betting FAQ
- Sports Betting in Texas
- Online Casinos in Texas
- Horse Betting in Texas
- Prediction Markets in Texas
Is sports betting legal in Texas?
No. Texas has debated sports betting repeatedly, but conservative legislative resistance and the state’s biennial session have kept any measure from reaching the finish line. Legalizing it would likely require both a constitutional amendment and an alignment between professional franchises, the Dallas Cowboys’ ownership has been a vocal proponent, and lawmakers. That has not happened yet.
What can you do in Texas?
You cannot legally bet on sports, and the alternatives are narrower than in many states. Daily fantasy sports operate in Texas, and the major DFS platforms accept residents. Unlike California, however, Texas does not permit online horse-racing wagering, advance-deposit platforms do not serve the state, so horse betting is limited to in-person pari-mutuel at licensed tracks. Online casino is also not legal.
Texas sports betting by the numbers
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Sports betting legal? | No |
| Legislative session | Odd years only |
| Last action | No bill enacted |
| Best opportunity | 2027 session |
| Online casino | Not legal |
| Online horse betting (ADW) | Not permitted |
| DFS | Operates |
| Key stakeholder | Pro franchises (e.g., Cowboys) |
What’s likely next
The 2027 legislative session is widely seen as Texas’s best near-term opportunity. For a measure to advance, the state’s pro-sports ownership groups and commercial gaming interests would need to strike a deal with lawmakers, and any authorization would probably go to voters as a constitutional amendment. Given Texas’s size, roughly 30 million people, it would instantly become one of the most valuable markets in the country, which keeps the pressure on, even as the politics remain difficult.
What about the apps advertised in Texas?
Any app taking real-money sports bets from within Texas is an unlicensed offshore operator. There are no regulated, Texas-licensed sportsbooks, so those sites carry no state protections and we do not recommend them. When Texas legalizes, this page will lead with the licensed apps.
The moment Texas licenses real sportsbooks, our Texas sportsbooks guide will cover the legal apps and their verified welcome offers first.
Popular teams (for when betting arrives)
Texas is a sports giant: the Cowboys and Texans in the NFL; the Mavericks, Rockets and Spurs in the NBA; the Rangers and Astros in MLB; FC Dallas and Austin FC in MLS; and college powerhouses in Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and more. The eventual betting handle would be enormous.
Why isn’t it legal yet?
Legalizing sports betting in Texas is less about public appetite, polls generally show support, and more about competing interests and process. In Texas, powerful stakeholders, tribal gaming operators, commercial casinos, racing interests and the pro leagues, want different models, and reconciling them, often through a constitutional amendment or ballot measure, takes time. In Texas, the result has been repeated bills and initiatives that stall before the finish line.
The risk of offshore and unlicensed apps
Because there is no legal market in Texas, the only “sportsbooks” reachable from inside the state are unlicensed offshore operators. They advertise aggressively to Texas users, but they are not regulated in the U.S.: no state oversight of fairness, no guarantee your funds are safe, and little recourse if a withdrawal is delayed or denied. We do not recommend them. Until Texas launches a regulated market, the safer adjacent options are the legal activities described above.
How to follow the legalization effort
The fastest way to track Texas is to watch the legislative calendar and the major bills each session, plus any ballot-measure filings. When Texas authorizes a regulated market, the rollout typically runs several months while the regulator writes rules and licenses operators. We keep this page updated, and when legal apps go live in Texas, you will find the licensed options and their verified welcome offers here first.
Texas betting: a brief history
Texas has debated sports betting across multiple sessions without passing a bill, constrained by a legislature that meets only in odd years and by long-standing political resistance to gambling expansion.
What to look for when a legal market opens
When Texas eventually authorizes licensed apps, the same fundamentals matter: confirm the operator is licensed and regulated, compare the odds and lines (they are not all the same), check payout speed and limits, and read any promotion’s terms in full before opting in. We only feature operators we can verify, so this Texas page leads with licensed options and skips anything we cannot stand behind.
Where Texas bettors can play legally right now
Texas borders Louisiana and Arkansas, both of which offer legal mobile betting. If you cross into Louisiana (in a participating parish) or Arkansas and are 21+, you can register and bet while physically inside that state.
Betting vs. casino vs. DFS vs. prediction markets in Texas
These get lumped together in Texas, but legally they are very different things. A sportsbook takes Texas wagers on real sporting events and is licensed state by state. An online casino, slots and table games, is legal in only a handful of states, which shapes what is on offer in Texas. Daily fantasy sports let Texas players build lineups or pick stat lines for prizes under separate rules, while prediction markets such as Kalshi offer federally regulated event contracts that reach Texas even where sportsbooks are limited. Sweepstakes casinos, meanwhile, use a virtual-currency model that sits outside Texas gambling licensing entirely. The takeaway for Texas: the legal status of one says nothing about the others, and the consumer protections differ sharply between them.
Responsible gambling in Texas
The healthiest approach to Texas betting is a fixed budget and the mindset that it is fun, never income or a way to win back Texas losses. Licensed Texas books build in deposit and time limits, cool-offs and self-exclusion, so lean on them early. If gambling ever feels like a problem in Texas, support is one free, confidential contact away at 1-800-GAMBLER.
Texas betting FAQ
Are prediction markets like Kalshi available in Texas?
Prediction markets like Kalshi reach Texas because the CFTC regulates them federally as event-contract exchanges rather than Texas-licensed sportsbooks. Their sports contracts behave enough like bets that Texas’s legal picture stays contested, and 2026 saw a federal appeals court side with Kalshi over state regulators while the fight continues. For Texas bettors the safe read is a separate, federally overseen category.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Texas?
Sweepstakes casinos like Chumba, LuckyLand and Stake.us reach Texas adults through a virtual-currency model designed to sit outside Texas gambling licensing. That leaves Texas players in a grey area with weaker safeguards than a regulated site, one regulators keep testing, so use them cautiously in Texas.
Is daily fantasy sports (DFS) legal in Texas?
Yes, daily fantasy sports operate in Texas as a contest-based activity separate from Texas sportsbook wagering. DraftKings and FanDuel lead the Texas field, joined by pick’em apps PrizePicks, Underdog and Sleeper.
Can I bet on horse racing online in Texas?
Only in person. Texas does not allow online advance-deposit horse wagering, so pari-mutuel betting in Texas is limited to the state’s licensed racetracks rather than ADW apps.
Will sports betting be legal soon in Texas?
Possibly in 2027. The Texas Legislature meets only in odd years, and 2027 is seen as the best near-term opportunity, but it would require pro-franchise and commercial interests to align with lawmakers and likely a constitutional amendment.
Is it illegal to use an offshore app in Texas?
Enforcement has overwhelmingly targeted operators rather than individual Texas bettors, but offshore sites are unlicensed and unregulated, so you take on real financial risk with no state protection. We do not recommend Texas bettors use them.
Can Texas residents bet by crossing into another state?
Yes. Sports betting apps work on where you are physically located, not where you live, so a Texas address is no barrier elsewhere. If a Texas resident travels to a state with legal mobile betting and is 21 or older, they can register and bet while physically inside that state, the account simply stops working on the way back into Texas.
What will Texas’s legal age be when betting arrives?
If and when Texas legalizes, the minimum age will almost certainly be 21, consistent with nearly every other U.S. sports betting market.
What can I legally bet on in Texas today?
Not sports, not through a licensed Texas book. Daily fantasy sports operate in Texas, and (where noted above) horse racing may be available, but Texas has no regulated sportsbook for real-money sports wagering.
Where can Texas residents bet legally from a phone instead?
Texas borders Louisiana and Arkansas, both of which offer legal mobile betting. If you cross into Louisiana (in a participating parish) or Arkansas and are 21+, you can register and bet while physically inside that state.
Will I be able to bet on Texas college teams when it’s legal?
For Texas, that will depend on the eventual law. Several states restrict betting on in-state college teams or player props, so for Texas it stays a common point of negotiation.
Is online casino legal in Texas?
No. Texas has not legalized online casino gaming.
Is daily fantasy the same as sports betting in Texas?
Yes, daily fantasy sports operate in Texas as a contest-based activity separate from Texas sportsbook wagering. DraftKings and FanDuel lead the Texas field, joined by pick’em apps PrizePicks, Underdog and Sleeper.
Sports Betting in Texas
Texas has no legal sports betting, and the calendar is part of the problem: the legislature meets only every two years, and leadership has so far resisted gambling bills, making 2027 the next realistic window. It would be one of the largest markets in the country if it opened, this is the state of the Cowboys, Texans, Mavericks, Rockets, Spurs, Astros and Rangers, but for now there are no licensed Texas sportsbooks, apps or promos.
Every site reachable from inside Texas today is offshore and unregulated, so we won’t recommend one.
Are there any legal sportsbooks in Texas?
No. No operator is licensed to take a sports wager in Texas, online or retail. We only feature books we can verify, so we won’t link to or rate anything until Texas authorizes a regulated market, and we’d rather say that plainly than point Texas readers at an offshore site.
When will Texas legalize sports betting?
Texas would be one of the largest markets in the country, yet its legislature meets only every two years and leadership has resisted gambling bills; 2027 is the next genuine opportunity. Any authorization would most likely run through the legislature or a ballot measure, and even then a launch typically takes several months while Texas writes rules and licenses operators.
Which sportsbooks will launch in Texas?
When Texas legalizes, expect the national leaders, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars and bet365 among them, to compete for Texas licenses, much as they have across Louisiana and Arkansas. The moment they go live, this page will list the licensed Texas apps and their verified welcome offers first.
The risk of offshore apps in Texas
The only sportsbooks reachable from inside Texas today are unlicensed offshore sites. They advertise heavily to Texas users but carry no state oversight of fairness, no guarantee your funds are protected and little recourse if a withdrawal is denied, which is exactly why we don’t recommend them to Texas bettors.
Legal alternatives in Texas right now
Daily fantasy sports operate in Texas, and prediction markets such as Kalshi reach Texas under federal CFTC regulation; both are separate from a licensed sportsbook. You can also bet legally by crossing into a state with live mobile betting, your account works while you are physically there, then stops on the way back into Texas. See our Texas hub for the full picture on what’s legal today.
Betting on Texas teams from out of state
Plenty of Texas sports fans already bet legally by crossing into Louisiana or Arkansas, where mobile wagering is live: your app works while you are physically in that state and simply stops when you return to Texas. It is the cleanest legal workaround while Texas has no market of its own, and another reason the offshore sites targeting Texas are an unnecessary risk rather than a convenience.
What legalization could bring to Texas
A regulated Texas market would mean licensed operators competing on odds and promotions, tax revenue for the state, and real consumer protections, audited apps, ring-fenced funds and a regulator to take complaints. Until Texas gets there, this page stays focused on what is actually legal rather than on the books advertising as if it already is.
How to find the best betting site in Texas
Finding the best betting site in Texas is less about one winner and more about matching a book to how you play. Start with price: a half-point better on a Texas spread beats almost any sign-up bonus over a season, so compare the odds on the markets you bet most. Then weigh the things you feel every week, how stable the app is, how quickly Texas withdrawals land, and whether a bonus’s wagering terms are actually clearable. Keeping two Texas accounts so you can shop the line is the single habit that pays off most.
Local and global events Texas bettors want
The day Texas legalizes, the local draw will be obvious, the Cowboys, Texans, Mavericks, Rockets, Spurs, Astros, Rangers and Texas and Texas A&M, and Texas bettors will also get the events that move the whole country: the Super Bowl, March Madness, the NBA Finals and the World Series. 2026 adds the FIFA World Cup on home soil, expected to be the biggest betting event the US has ever seen, which is part of why pressure to legalize in Texas keeps building.
All Texas sportsbook apps
There are no legal Texas sportsbook apps to download yet. When the state regulates betting, expect the national leaders, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars and bet365, to launch Texas apps, and we’ll list each with a direct link here.
Texas sportsbooks FAQ
Is sports betting legal in Texas?
Not yet, Texas has no licensed sportsbooks, and a regulated market would need new law or a ballot measure.
Can Texas residents bet legally by visiting another state?
Yes. If you travel to a state with legal mobile betting and are 21+, you can bet while physically there; your account stops working back in Texas.
Will the apps I see advertised work in Texas?
Any book taking real-money Texas bets now is offshore and unregulated; the licensed national apps will only appear once Texas legalizes.
What can I bet on legally in Texas today?
Daily fantasy sports and, federally, prediction markets reach Texas; there is no regulated Texas sportsbook for real-money sports wagering.
How to check whether a Texas sportsbook is legal
This matters more in Texas than almost anywhere, because no online sportsbook is legal here yet, so every betting site reachable from Texas right now is offshore. In Texas the tells are consistent: crypto-only deposits, ‘no ID required’ sign-ups, no US state license anywhere on the page, and shell licensing from places like Curacao. A genuinely legal Texas book will only exist once the state regulates the market; until then, treat any Texas ‘sportsbook’ ad with suspicion.
Online Casinos in Texas
There is nothing in the current state legislation that allows Texas online casino sites to be set up. This means that there is no way of finding a regulated place to play casino games in Texas. It isn’t known whether this will eventually change. Several other American states have allowed operators to launch there, so we may get to see an online casino in Texas in the future. If this were the case, we would expect the same casinos that are present in other parts of the country to also obtain licenses in this state.
Online Casino Sites in Texas
The big brands that we already associate with casino betting are likely to be among those allowed to launch a Texas online casino if the right laws are ever put in place for this. In this way, Texans will be able to choose from some of the most reliable betting brands. These sites have easy-to-use casinos where you will find excellent customer service at hand if ever needed. Based on the most recent regulatory developments and the betting market in the nearby Louisiana, Arizona etc. several large players are expected to line up with FanDuel, BetMGM and DraftKings being the obvious bets as the first movers.
Texas Online Casino Sites/Apps Expected in 2025:
- FanFuel Casino
- BetMGM Casino
- bet365 Casino Texas
- BetRivers
- Fanduel Online
- DraftKings Casino
Texas Sweepstakes Online Casinos 2025
For Texans seeking online casino-style gaming, social casinos provide a legal and fun way to play. These platforms offer the same types of games as regular casinos, but standard mode is completely free and purely for entertainment. For those looking for more, the sweepstakes option allows players to use sweeps coins to compete for prizes such as merchandise, gift cards, and even cash. Here’s a look at some of the top sweepstakes casinos available in Texas:
- Fortune Coins Casino
- Pulz Casino
- McLuck Casino
- WOW Vegas Casino
- Stake.us Casino
- NoLimit Coins Casino
- FunRize Casino
- RealPrize.com Casino
- Pulsz Casino
- New Legendz Casino
- LuckyLand Slots
- Gambino Slots
- Funzpoints Casino
: Launched in 2021, Fortune Coins Casino features over 250 games, including slots, video poker, keno, and game-show-style options. New players can receive up to 20 million gold coins for free play as a welcome bonus. Daily no-deposit giveaways keep the fun going. In sweepstakes mode, players can convert Fortune Coins winnings into cash prizes.
Pulz Casino: Pulz Casino offers over 700 games, including slots and table games. Their mobile app provides smooth gameplay on the go. Daily promotions help players collect free gold coins, and playing in sweepstakes mode allows for the chance to win cash prizes.
McLuck Casino: McLuck Casino rewards players with free gold coins every time they log in. With more than 500 slot games, the platform offers a variety of options, including classic slots, progressive jackpots, Megaways, cascading reels, and hold & win games. Players can also aim for cash prizes through their unique McJackpots feature.
TX Online Games
Regardless of the exact Texas online casinos to receive licenses, we know that they will contain some great games. The slots that have proved successful among American players to date include Diamond Hearts, Gorilla Kingdom, and Treasure of Troy. There are also plenty of choices in the table games section, with craps, roulette, and poker sure to be among the online casino games in Texas if these sites are allowed to operate.
Best Online Casino Apps in Texas
If you prefer to go online using a mobile device for more freedom, you won’t have any problems using any online casino in Texas that get regulated here in the future. The top brands offer either desktop or mobile access, with their mobile apps working equally well on iOS or Android devices which would allow casino games in the Lone Star State. They are free to download, and you can switch between devices with no fuss whenever you want to.
TX Land-based Casinos
The state has several land casinos where you can look for your favorite games in an attractive setting.
- Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino, Eagle Pass. Lots of entertainment events and plentiful slots games make this an exciting venue.
- Naskila Gaming, Livingston. There are close to 800 slots and two restaurants, but no hotel at the site.
- The Room, League City. Popular among poker players, this place offers regular tournament play.
Bonuses in Texas
A handsome bonus will give you a strong start at any Texas online casino and is the best way to sample it. The big brands also offer nice deals that are designed to make you feel good about starting to play their casino games in the Lone Star State with some extra funds in your account. A no deposit bonus is the simplest, as you get bonus funds just for registering at a potential online casino in Texas. A welcome package with a deposit boost multiplies your first deposit. If you get free spins, you can play a chosen slot without using your own money as the stake.
FAQ
When will online casinos become available in TX?
There are currently no indications as to when any online casino in Texas could start to operate, as new laws are needed for this to happen.
Is sports betting available in TX?
No, there is no legislation currently in place that would allow these sites to operate.
Are social casinos available in TX?
Yes, these sites don’t let you bet with real cash, meaning that they are fine to use even before any Texas online casino laws come into force.
What is the Legal Gambling Age in TX?
You can legally place bets in state casinos from the age of 21, although venues with no alcohol may allow in visitors from 18 and upwards. The fact that new legislation is needed to allow Texas online casino sites means that a specific age limit will most likely be set.
Tax When Gambling in TX?
If you enjoy a win of over $5,000 in the state, you may have to pay tax on it at a flat rate of 24%. However, everyone’s tax situation is different, so it is a good idea to get professional advice on it when filling out your annual IRS return.
Horse Betting in Texas
Texas online horse betting is prohibited within the borders of the state. Lawmakers have forbidden Lone Star State residents from using online platforms to gamble, including horse betting in Texas. As a result, the leading online betting operators are not present in the region. You can only bet in-person at racetracks within the Lone Star State. In these venues you can bet on live racing, while they also provide the opportunity for simulcast wagering allowing customers to bet on races across the United States. You must be 18 years old for horse wagering in Texas.
Horse Betting Sites in Texas
Given that Texas online horse betting is not legal, the leading horse racing wagering sites are not present in the Lone Star State. There have been attempts to make advance deposit wagering legal, but lawmakers have been stringent in their policies against the practice. Residents do have the option of betting in-person at racetracks. However, there is no access to the value and range of markets provided by the operators in the online industry.
Texas Best Horse Betting Apps
There is no access to Texas horse racing apps due to the ban on online betting in the Lone Star State. These apps provide a wide range of markets and competitive odds for their customers. However, lawmakers have forbidden their use within the region.
Texas Top Three Bonus Offers
As Texas online horse betting is not permitted, residents of the Lone Star State do not have access to the bonuses offered by wagering operators. These offers can include welcome and sign-up bonuses along with free bets as a loyalty bonus for using their product.
Texas Horse Racing Tracks
There are quality racetracks in the Lone Star State, offering good opportunities for horse betting in Texas.
- Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, Opened its gates in 1997 and has hosted leading events, including the Breeders’ Cup. Races are held at the venue throughout the year, allowing thousands of spectators to view quality action.
- Retama Park, Opened in 1995 and has been taken over by Penn National Gaming. It hosts thoroughbred racing throughout the year.
- Sam Houston Race Park: Opened in 1994 and partly owned by Penn National Gaming. The park hosts both American Quarter and Thoroughbred Horse racing each year.
Local and Major Horse Betting Events in Texas
There are races of the highest standard that are held in the Lone Star State, providing drama and entertainment.
- Texas Classic Futurity, Offers a purse of up to $1m and is competed by the leading two-year-old horses in the United States in November over 400 yards.
- Texas Classic Derby, This race also takes place in November and is competed over 440 yards by the best US three-year-old horses.
- Steve Sexton Mile Stakes, Provides a purse up to $300,000 and draws the leading owners and trainers to compete for the crown at Lone Star Park.
Types of Horse Racing Bets in Texas
You can participate in horse betting in Texas with the following wagers:
- Win, Bet on the horse you believe will win the race.
- Place, A bet on a horse to finish in the top two of the race.
- Show, A bet on a horse to finish in the top three of the contest.
- Exacta/Trifecta/Superfecta, Where you attempt to guess the correct order of the finishing horses up to fourth place depending on the wager.
FAQ
Can you place a horse racing wager online in Texas?
No. Texas online horse betting is not legal. Lawmakers have forbidden the practice in the Lone Star State and the leading wagering operators are not present in the region.
What is the legal betting age in Texas?
You must be 18 years old to participate in wagering in Texas on horse racing.
Is in-person wagering available in Texas?
Yes. When participating in horse betting in Texas you can visit racetracks to lodge wagers in person. These bets can be on live-action races or through simulcasting wagering on events around the USA.
Do I Have to Pay Tax on Gambling Winnings in Texas?
Yes. When wagering in Texas you will have to pay tax on gambling winnings over $600. You have to report all earnings on your income tax. The federal government can tax winnings over $5,000 up to 24%.
Prediction Markets in Texas
In Texas, prediction markets are the main legal way to trade real money on sports, politics and the economy. Texas has no legal sports betting; the state constitution makes legalization difficult, and there is no licensed online sportsbook. That makes federally regulated prediction-market apps, overseen by the CFTC and open to anyone 18 or older, especially relevant for Texas residents looking for the best prediction market apps. Last verified: November 2026.
Is sports betting legal in Texas?
Texas has no legal sports betting; the state constitution makes legalization difficult, and there is no licensed online sportsbook. Prediction markets fill the gap: on a CFTC-regulated exchange you trade yes/no event contracts priced between 1¢ and 99¢, where the price is the implied probability and a correct contract settles at $1.00. They are regulated federally rather than under state gambling law, which is why they can operate in Texas.
Prediction market apps available in Texas
As of November 2026, these reviewed prediction-market apps are available to Texas traders (18+):
- Kalshi, the most established CFTC-regulated exchange, covering sports, politics, economics and more (18+).
- Robinhood, event contracts inside the Robinhood app at a flat $0.02 per contract.
- DraftKings Predictions, sports and finance event contracts, available to traders in Texas.
- FanDuel Predicts, CME-powered financial, economic and sports markets.
- Polymarket, a crypto-funded (USDC) exchange with deep political and global markets.
- PredictIt, a politics-only research market for election and policy contracts.
Can you trade sports in Texas?
Yes. Because Texas has no open legal online sportsbook, apps like Kalshi, Robinhood, DraftKings Predictions and FanDuel Predicts list sports event contracts on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and more. You are trading a yes/no outcome against other users on a federally regulated exchange, not placing a sportsbook bet.
Age and taxes
You must be 18 or older to trade, prediction markets are regulated as financial exchanges, not 21+ sportsbooks. Profits are generally taxable and some apps issue 1099 forms; keep records and consult a tax professional. This is not tax advice.