Chris Boline Legal Sports Betting in Texas
Gambling in Texas is prohibited, meaning it is illegal for bettors to partake in online gambling in the state of Texas. While this is the case for Texas gambling laws, those that reside in the state can wager on sports betting via offshore sportsbook providers. There are many in the state that are pushing for the legalization of sports wagering in Texas casinos, but recent events have proven it’s unlikely to progress in the near future.
As it stands, there is no sign of the law changing regarding Texas sports betting. However, there are changes taking place across the USA and with top NBA and NFL teams residing in the state of Texas, the public is increasingly demanding access to sports betting markets via mobile betting apps in Texas.
| State | Texas |
| Sports Betting Law Passed | No ❌ |
| Launch date | N/A |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 18 |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes ✔️ |
| Retail Sports Betting | No ❌ |
| Retail Casinos | No ❌ |
There are an array of great offshore sportsbook providers available to Texans, but the state misses out on a lot of money every year by allowing millions of dollars to go to offshore bookmakers. This is partly why we are seeing many states across the country pushing to change their respective gambling laws.
Top 5 Texas Online Sportsbooks
When coming up with this list of the top 5 sportsbooks in Texas, we look at many different features. The starting point is that it is legally available to bet on in Texas and is a secure site with a trusted reputation.
From there, we also ensure they have competitive Texas sports odds and great welcome bonuses. Plus, what’s a Texas sportsbook without markets for our favorite teams? The Houston Astros and the Dallas Cowboys will have their rightful spot here with these sportsbooks.
Every Texas sports bettor needs a great place to place their wagers. Success becomes very difficult without a high-quality sportsbook also legally available in Texas.
That is why signing up at the right one is a key part of any winning strategy. However, each offers something different, so check out the list below and decide which will be best for you!
Bovada
If you know much about sports betting, you have probably at least heard of the name Bovada. It has the highest brand recognition in the Texas sports betting scene. No one doubts its position as a beloved sportsbook.
They have only 30,000 daily sports betting markets, many of which are for Texan teams. But of course, Texan bettors are not only interested in betting on Texan teams. Bovada will have odds from around the world to satisfy all types of bettors.
Take a look at our Bovada review to learn more.
Why MyTopSportsbooks Loves Bovada:
- Full-service one-wallet wagering
- First-rate customer service team
- Excellent first-deposit bonus
BetOnline
BetOnline is a well-rounded sportsbook that is easily available across the state of Texas. While they are great across the board, they stand out for the high quality of their bonuses and promotions.
Their welcome bonus will give you a 100% match on your initial deposit. That means for every dollar you make in a qualifying deposit, they will give you one too. This great bonus is worth up to a grand. That is a great way to get started.
Get the full story with our BetOnline review.
Why MyTopSportsbooks Loves BetOnline:
- Highly reputable North American sportsbook
- First industry morning lines
- Broad range of crypto deposit methods
BetUS
BetUS has served the Texas sports betting market for over twenty years. Seeing how they have grown while maintaining the same freshness, they have always had is incredible. Their welcome bonus is worth 125% and up to $2,500.
That is truly gigantic! And they do not stop there! Their reload bonuses are also quite hefty and will keep you betting and having fun for a long time. Texas gambling markets are particularly exciting, in part due to the success of the Kansas City Chiefs in recent years.
Learn more with our comprehensive BetUS review.
Why MyTopSportsbooks Loves BetUS:
- Competitive sports betting lines
- Top-tier mobile betting app
- Range of bonuses and promotions
GTBets
GTBets is another great Texas sportsbook. We know Texans are some of the most die-hard sports fans out there! This is one of the reasons GTBets is such a good choice. Their Reduced Juice program allows hardcore sports fans to register their favorite football and basketball teams with the sports betting account.
Texas sports betting markets are broad-reaching, given that the state boasts major sports teams in all the top US sports leagues. GTBets will give you improved odds on those games whenever you bet on your favorite team. So if you love the Longhorns, you are in luck here!
Get the full story on our GTBets review page.
Why MyTopSportsbooks Loves GTBets:
- Industry-leading welcome bonus
- Straightforward sign-up process
- Excellent weekly horse-racing rebate
XBet
Rounding out our list of the top 5 sportsbooks available in Texas is XBet. This sportsbook stands out for its wide range of payment options and unique betting markets. XBet is a great place to make deposits with Bitcoin.
They accept deposits and payouts with cryptocurrency, which tend to be processed at lightning speed. The minimum Bitcoin deposit here is $20. But online gambling in Texas is about much more than digital currency. With an array of successful sports teams in the state, check out the full range of sports betting lines available in Texas today!
Read our XBet review to learn more about this unique provider.
Why MyTopSportsbooks Loves XBet:
- Most sports betting lines in the US
- Live casino wagering
- Excellent rewards program
*Wait, the list doesn’t include DraftKings, FanDuel or BetMGM? Or BetRivers, PointsBet or Fox Bet? What’s up? It’s simple: those sportsbooks are not yet available in all 50 states. Not even close, to be honest. Our Top 5 Sportsbooks are available in far more states and because they don’t spend money on lobbying or TV commercials, they can offer higher odds and better bonuses. If the situation changes and those sports betting sites become available in Texas, we will review them asap.
Texas Sports Betting – Recent Updates
- February 28, 2023 – Ohio’s legal sports betting debuts with $1.1B in Jan. wagers.
- January 21, 2023 – When it debuts a retail operation inside an NFL stadium in Maryland next week, Fanatics Inc., the leading team apparel giant, will begin taking sports bets.
- December 21, 2022 – Casino Cuban eyes close to arena in response to Texas sports gambling push.
- November 21, 2022 – State senator pre-files Texas sports betting bill to legalize gaming in the state, giving hope to bettors and lobbyists.
- October 30, 2022 – The sports betting situation in Texas is being driven by multiple sports teams, and organizations pushing to legalize sports betting in Lone Star State.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas?
Sports betting is not legal in Texas, though there have been big pushes from lobbyists and domestic betting associations to amend the law in recent years. We may see changes next year, but bettors must turn to offshore bookmakers to place sports wagers online.
Poll Shows Split Support for Texas Sports Betting
While there is still time for this opinion to become more clear-cut, in March of 2022, a poll came out showing nearly split support for the legalization of sports betting in Texas. The poll shows that 38 per cent are against the idea, while 41 per cent support it. This is still a plurality approving of the possibility, but the margin is slim.
Because the Texas legislature only meets once every two years, we have until 2023 for a final public opinion to be reached. In the meantime, Texas continues to lose millions in potential sports betting tax revenue.
Texas Man Bets $5 Million on Super Bowl
While there are still no official sportsbooks licensed in Texas, one Texas businessman bet $5 million on the 2022 Super Bowl. This businessman, Mattress Mack, is the owner of Galaxy Furniture.
Mack also revealed that much of this money went towards the underdogs, as he is betted on the Cincinnati Bengals to come out on top. In order to make this bet, he traveled across state lines in order to use a state-based sportsbook elsewhere.
Of course, people in Texas can access offshore sportsbooks without a problem.
Louisian Attracts Texas Bettors
In February of 2022, this neighbor of Texas opened up sports betting to its residents. Many bettors in Texas are looking to cross state lines to take advantage of this change in the law. The state could see unknown amounts of money leaving Texas’ state coffers and going directly into those of Louisiana.
This will naturally expose many Texans to sportsbooks that are based in the US. While people in these states can already access offshore sportsbooks, this could be a game-changer for the legalization of sports betting in Texas.
The Texas legislature will likely be watching how much money comes into neighbor’s taxes.
Marc Cuban Joins in Supporting Texas Sport Betting Legalization
In October 2021, Marc Cuban expressed his support for the legalization of sports betting. This owner of the Mavericks means business as he throws his weight behind legalization.
The Texas legislature only meets once every two years, so we will have to wait to see if this big voice will have an effect on public opinion and ultimately on state lawmakers.
Is Daily Fantasy Sports Betting Available in Texas?
Yes, DFS betting is available in the Lone Star State. This comes after years of campaigning on the benefits. it mainly revolved around the debate of whether daily fantasy sports betting would be considered a game of chance or a game of skill. Games of skill are more easily legalized in the state, making this a question of utmost concern. At the end of the day, they found that it was a game of skill, so Texans can now enjoy DFS betting.
Five Things to Look for at Sportsbooks When Gambling in Texas
Gambling casinos in Texas don’t allow sports betting, but with Texas gambling law potentially changing in the future it’s worth checking back with this page for the latest news. With teams like the Houston Texans and the Dallas Mavericks showing their worth in their respective leagues, there has never been a better time to get involved in Texas sports gambling.
For those bettors looking to get involved in online sports betting through top-tier betting sites, they can do this by browsing through the various offshore bookmakers available in the US. But, what aspects of sportsbooks should bettors be looking out for?
Our sports betting experts came together to make a list of the top five most important qualities to look for on online sports betting sites.
GTBets is a great example of a sportsbook full of bonuses. Their welcome bonus is 100%.
Availability in Texas
This may seem obvious as a prerequisite for any bettor in the state. However, it is often overlooked and is something that we must highlight for new players. Texas has strict sports betting regulations and they may have systems in place to block any access to offshore bookmakers. Make sure of this before deciding which sportsbooks to work with.
Competitive Odds
While almost all sportsbooks offer betting odds on major markets, the question should be whether the oddsmakers are providing customers with the best odds around. Many bookmakers are able to cover the bases when it comes to betting options, but it would be frustrating to wager on a particular event only to find you could have gotten better odds elsewhere. Stick with the major players and get the best odds for your favorite markets.
Bovada has been around for a long time and is a well-known and beloved sportsbook.
Promotions and Bonuses
For anyone that is new to the sports betting scene, they may be unaware that online bookmakers are constantly in competition to try and draw in the most amount of bettors possible. In equal measures, it’s about retaining customers as well as attracting new ones. As such, sportsbooks provide regular bonuses and promotions for markets, as well as offering a huge initial bonus, or “Welcome Bonus”, which sets new players up with additional funds.
Quality Customer Support
Nearly all of the points we make in this post are related to the quality of the sportsbooks and odds themselves, as opposed to the service alongside them. We must emphasize the importance of quality customer service. When money is at stake, your money, it’s important that you have a trustworthy and reliable oddsmaker to aid you if anything were to go wrong. Look out for various customer service options; the likes as email/phone contact, live chat, community forums, and FAQs.
WagerWeb is a great example of this. They are always among the first to update their odds, really setting the industry’s tone.
Unmatched Reputation
This is another non-sportsbook-related quality. Think about the bigger picture. Not only do you want quality service in the classic sense, but you want to ensure that there have been no issues with this company – and if there have been they’ve been rectified. Check around online, do your research and find out what kind of reputation the sportsbook in question has. This will help you to make a fair assessment of the quality of the service and overall betting experience.
Intertops has great customer service, especially their live chat, available 24/7.
Potential Legal Sports Betting Sites in Texas
Since Texas gambling laws don’t allow for legal online sports wagering, offshore bookies reign king in the state. However, with sweeping changes across the country, Texas sports gambling may become legal in the not-so-distant future, giving way to a range of legal sportsbooks registered in the United States offering their services in the Lone Star State.
It’s difficult to accurately say how many betting licenses will be offered. But, with a whole host of bookmakers hoping to win a license, we will see Texas sports gambling flourish if and when the law is amended.
Tribal Casinos in Texas
Texas is home to 21 Tribal casinos. There are no online sportsbooks based in Texas, just offshore sportsbooks that residents in Texas can use. One of the best of the Texas casinos is the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle. It is known as the best poker room in all of Texas, and also has a great hotel, so you can spend a few days enjoying the resort. This southern Texas resort has a nightclub, slots, and big celebrations during important holidays.
- Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino
- Naskila Entertainment
- Carnival Breeze Casino
- Carnival Valor Casino
- Carnival Freedom Casino
- Jacks or Better Casino
- Lone Star Park
- Valley Race Park
- Sam Houston Race Park
- Retama Park
- Gulf Coast Race Track Bet by the Bay
- Gillespie County Fairgrounds
- The Race Barn
- Crowley Road Bingo Plex
- Triple Crown Bingo
- Ingram Park Bingo
- Royal Caribbean International-Liberty of the Seas
- River City Card Room
- Freerolls Poker Club
- Post Oak Poker Club
- Kojack’s Poker Club
Texas Sports Betting Timeline
Here is a history of betting news out of Texas. The state moves slowly in its effort to legalize sports betting, partially because the legislature only meets every other year.
2022
State Senator pushes for legal sports betting in the state
State senator pre-files Texas sports betting bill to legalize gaming in the state, giving hope to bettors and lobbyists.
Sports teams collective push for legalization
Sports teams’ representatives group together in the hope of persuading state governors to change sports betting law.
Franchise and domestic lobbyists push for change
Texas lobbyists and sports enthusiasts hope to push an amendment to the bill forward later in the year.
2021
Texas to host National Council of Legislators
The city of Austin is set to become the host city for the National Council of Legislators from the Gaming States for this year’s winter meeting.
Las Vegas Sands Corp. hired a team of lobbyists
According to a report from The Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Las Vegas Sands Corp. hired a team of lobbyists to explain the advantages of sports betting in the state.
Franchise lobbyists pushing for sports betting in 2021
Lt. Dan Patrick aims to kill all efforts to push forward a sports betting bill in 2021, with lawmakers stating that they won’t reconvene until 2023.
Recent Texas Betting Tips, March 2023
Texas boasts a variety of great professional sports teams, which includes teams in nearly all the top US sports leagues; the likes of the NBA, NFL, MLS, and MLB. The full list of sports teams is as follows:
- FC Dallas
- Texas Rangers
- Dallas Mavericks
- Dallas Stars
- Dallas Cowboys
- Dallas Wings
- Austin FC
- San Antonio Spurs
- Houston Rockets
- Houston Astros
- Houston Texans
- Houston Dash
- Houston Dynamo FC
Texas and Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily Fantasy Sport (DFS) is a draw in the state until a law regarding gambling in Texas is passed. Given the many sports teams in the state, we aren’t surprised to see sports enthusiasts looking to fantasy sports for their sports fix. The top DFS sites are great options for Texans, with the main market leaders being DraftKings and FanDuel, which both operate in the state.
There are also several other options for DFS providers, which often invite avid Texan players to participate in contests. So, if you’re looking to check out the best betting sites in Texas for fantasy sports, check out the names we mentioned above.
Texas gambling law allows for horse and dog racing. Still, the purveyor must obtain a racing license from the state before holding the race.
Is Horse Racing Legal in Texas?
Texas gambling law allows for horse and dog racing, though there is a catch that the purveyor must obtain a Texas racing license from the state before holding any kind of race. There are several horse and dog racing tracks in the Lone Star State, which are as follows:
- Gulf Greyhound Park in LaMarque
- Gulf Coast Racing in Corpus Christi
- Valley Race Park in Harlingen.
- Sam Houston Race Park
Horse racing wagering is only legal if you’re physically at the track. However, if you’re working with one of the offshore providers, many of which we’ve recommended on this page, you can legally bet from anywhere. Take a look at the top racing betting providers our team of experts has put together for you.
Nearest States With Legal Betting
For Texas bettors keen to wager online with bookmakers that aren’t registered offline, there are four neighboring states, of which three offer legal sports betting. The following three states are viable options for sports betting enthusiasts in Texas:
- Louisiana
- Arkansas
- New Mexico.
It’s about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Austin to the nearest bordering state. A lot of the effort is just to be able to place a sports bet online. As such, we strongly recommend looking at the offline bookmakers available to Texans, as they will provide a much easier way to access sports odds from the comfort of your own home.
Betting on NFL in Texas – 2023
- Last month, the Kansas City Chiefs triumphed over Philadelphia Eagles to win Super Bowl I’m 57. Now the Chiefs are the top favorite for winning next year’s Super Bowl, at odds of +550 being offered by MyBookie.
- Top sportsbooks are favoring betting odds on Patrick Mahomes, the 2023 Super Bowl MVP award winner, becoming the winner once again in 2024.
- The Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow, is also a heavy favorite for winning the NFL MVP next February.
- Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys was the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, and now he’s the favorite, together with Browns’ Myles Garrett, for winning the 2024 DPOY award.
- As for the Buffalo Bills, regardless of their loss against Cincinnati in the Wild Card Round, the team is looking strong, and in 2024 we can expect them to make another run at the Vince Lombardi Trophy. This is reflected in the odds, opening up at +670 at MyBookie.
Betting on MLB in Texas – March 2023
- The Houston Astros are the favorites to win the 2023 World Series at odds of +600 at Bovada.
- The Mets and the Yankees are also going after the Commissioner’s Trophy, with major bookies such as Bovada offering odds of +750 to any of the two coming on top at the World Series.
- After their defeat against the Astros, the Philadelphia Phillies have now brought the shortstop Trea Turner into the fold. Yet, bookmakers like Bovada have odds of +1700 for the Phiilies to come out as winners this year.
- Shohei Ohtani Angels from Los Angeles Angels was the 2021 winner of the AL MVP award, and now he’s the favorite at top bookies to win the prize this MLB season.
- On the other hand, the favorite for the NL MVP is Padres star Juan Soto, at +550.
Betting on NBA in Texas – 2023
- With the 2023 NBA Finals approaching, the Boston Celtis are–far and away–the 2023 NBA title favorites, at odds of +275 on top-notch bookies like Bovada.
- Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has odds of -340 to become the Regular Season MVP in 2022-23.
- After bringing in Kevin Durant to play alongside Devin Booker and Chris Pual, the Phoenix Suns are the runner-up of the NBA 2023 championship, with odds of +425 at Bovada.
