How to Bet Online in Texas
by
Bob Duff
We reviewed the main betting routes available to Texans and found that beginners first need to understand the difference between state-regulated sportsbooks, offshore sportsbooks, and daily fantasy sports apps. This guide explains what options exist today, what Texas does and does not regulate, and how to choose the right route before creating an account.
California and Texas are the two most populous states in the USA, and neither has opted in to legal and regulated sports betting. Texas is home to 31.7m people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 estimate as of July 1, 2025, making it the second-largest state in the USA in terms of population.
While the state itself has yet to provide access to legal and regulated Texas sportsbooks, for people who still want to do some online sports betting in Texas, all is not lost. They are not left without options.
Offshore sports betting sites, sportsbooks that are licensed and regulated by countries beyond the U.S. border, may still be accessible from Texas. But how do you know which of these sites is worth considering? This guide explains the main options, risks, and first steps.
According to the Texas State Law Library, online sports betting is still illegal in Texas, and the state has not approved regulated online sportsbook apps. For more on the current legal status, see our guide to Texas sports betting legality.
Step 1: know what betting options exist in Texas
Granted, Texas does not currently offer access to the legal and regulated U.S. sports betting market. You won’t be able to open an account and bet on sports with BetMGM, DraftKings, or FanDuel.
| Online Betting Option | Available to Texans? | What Beginners Should Know |
|---|---|---|
| State-regulated online sportsbooks | No | Texas has not legalized licensed online sportsbooks. Apps such as DraftKings Sportsbook or FanDuel Sportsbook do not operate as regulated Texas sportsbooks. |
| Offshore sportsbooks | Accessible, but not Texas-regulated | Some offshore betting sites accept Texans, but they are not licensed or regulated by the state of Texas. Users should review terms, payment rules, and responsible gambling tools carefully. |
| Daily fantasy sports apps | May be available, but legally disputed | DFS apps may be available in Texas, but their legal status has been disputed under Texas gambling law. Treat DFS as different from sportsbook betting. |
| Casino-style online gambling | Not state-regulated | Texas does not license online casino apps. Casino-style alternatives may exist offshore or as sweepstakes-style products, but they are not the same as regulated online casinos. |
| Prediction markets | Available in some cases, but evolving | Some federally regulated prediction platforms offer event contracts, including sports-related markets, but this area is legally and politically sensitive in Texas. |
| Horse racing / pari-mutuel betting | Limited legal option | Texas allows certain pari-mutuel wagering through regulated racing channels, but this is separate from online sportsbook betting. |
For beginners, the most important point is that these options are not interchangeable. A state-regulated sportsbook is licensed by a U.S. state, uses geolocation, and follows that state’s rules. Texas does not currently offer that option. An offshore sportsbook may accept Texans, but it operates outside Texas licensing and consumer protection rules.
Daily fantasy sports apps are different again. DFS contests ask users to build fantasy lineups or entries based on player performance, rather than placing a traditional sportsbook wager on a team, spread, total, or moneyline. DFS apps may be available in Texas, but the legal status has been disputed, so beginners should not treat DFS as the same thing as regulated online sports betting.
Casino-style gambling alternatives should also be treated separately from sports betting. Texas does not license online casino apps, so users should be careful not to assume that a casino-style product, sweepstakes-style platform, or offshore casino has the same legal status as a regulated sportsbook in another state.
Still, Texans looking for online betting options should understand the difference between legal products and offshore sportsbooks that may be accessible from Texas. While the state does not currently permit regulated sportsbook apps, some residents still look at offshore sites to bet on their favorite teams and events.
Some offshore sportsbooks, including Bovada, BetUS, BetOnline, or MyBookie, may be accessible to people in Texas. Before using one, compare practical factors such as deposit methods, withdrawal timelines, bonus terms, market coverage, and customer support. Texans comparing offshore options can review Texas betting apps, while those looking for a legal online alternative can explore daily fantasy sports.
However, these sites are not licensed by Texas, so players should review withdrawal rules, licensing claims, and dispute options before using them.
Step 2: choose the right platform for what you want to do
All of the top offshore online sports betting sites offer the same variety and depth of markets as any of the legal and regulated U.S. sportsbooks. So how can you determine which of these sportsbooks is the right platform for what you want to do?
For instance, if you like to bet on the NBA, MyBookie may be worth comparing for NBA markets, odds, and available bet types. If you are interested in prop betting, BetOnline may also be worth reviewing for player props, team props, and novelty markets. Compare each offshore sportsbook accessible from Texas by market depth, pricing, bonus terms, payment options, and withdrawal rules before deciding where to create an account.
We recommend comparing factors such as market depth, payment methods, bonus terms, and mobile usability before choosing any offshore site. If you want more than sports betting, some offshore platforms also include casino or poker products, but that added convenience does not change the fact that they are not licensed or regulated by Texas.
Step 3: create an account and check the rules
Once you’ve selected an offshore sportsbook accessible from Texas that fits your wagering needs, the next step is to open an account. First, visit the sportsbook’s online platform. Next, click the site’s sign-up button to launch the account creation process.Once you’ve opened up that page, you’ll need to supply some personal information to move the process forward. Data likely to be requested will include an email address, a phone number, and your home address. You’ll also need to respond to an account verification message via email or text to confirm that you are who you say you are when you launch the sign-up process.
You will also need to create a login and a password for your account that are both unique to you.
Some sites may require that you provide a screenshot of a government-issued photo ID. Again, this is another method to confirm your identity, designed to combat any attempts at identity theft and to halt people trying to create an online sports betting account who are under the legal Texas gambling age of 21.
Some offshore sportsbooks accessible from Texas may require players to implement two-factor authentication for added security. Before completing the sign-up process, review the site’s terms and conditions. You’ll likely need to tick a box confirming that you’ve read the terms and conditions before the site permits you to create a new account.
Step 4: make your first bet or entry
Once you understand which type of platform you are using, the next step is knowing how the actual betting or entry process works. A sportsbook-style bet slip is different from a daily fantasy sports entry, so beginners should slow down and check each field before confirming anything.
How a sportsbook-style bet slip works
- Choose a sport and market. Start with a simple market such as NFL moneyline, NBA spread, or a game total. A moneyline bet only asks you to pick who wins.
- Select the odds. When you tap the odds, the selection is added to your bet slip. For example, odds of +120 mean a $100 winning bet would return $120 in profit, while odds of -120 mean you would need to stake $120 to win $100 in profit.
- Enter your stake. The stake is the amount you risk. We recommend starting small, especially if you are still learning how odds, payouts, and bet types work.
- Check the potential payout. The bet slip should show your possible return before you confirm. Review the team, market, odds, and stake before placing the bet.
- Review any bonus terms before using promo funds. If you plan to use a welcome offer or promo balance on your first wager, check the rollover, expiry date, eligible markets, and minimum odds first. You can compare available offers in our Texas sports betting promos guide.
- Confirm only when everything is correct. Once a bet is submitted, it usually cannot be changed or cancelled.
How a DFS entry works
- Choose a contest. DFS apps usually offer contests based on a sport, slate, entry fee, and prize structure.
- Build your lineup. Instead of choosing a sportsbook market, you select players while staying within the salary cap or contest rules.
- Review the scoring rules. DFS results depend on player statistics, so check how points are awarded before entering.
- Submit the entry. Once the lineup is submitted and the contest locks, changes may be limited or unavailable.
If you are new to online betting in Texas, a simple moneyline-style wager or a low-cost DFS contest is easier to understand than parlays, prop ladders, or live betting. More complex options can be useful later, but beginners should first learn how stakes, odds, payouts, and contest rules work.
Common mistakes Texas beginners should avoid
When you’re new to betting, it is easy to make mistakes or feel overwhelmed. At first, sports betting lines can look like a confusing mix of team names, odds, spreads, totals, and mathematical symbols.
From reviewing offshore betting options for Texas users, we would avoid treating them the same as state-regulated apps. Some common mistakes made by new online bettors include failing to monitor their bankroll, skipping the terms and conditions, and assuming offshore sites offer the same protections as regulated U.S. sportsbooks. For beginners, we recommend keeping bet size modest and starting with simple markets before moving to more complicated wagers.
Confusing an online sportsbook with a daily fantasy sports site is also easy to do. DFS apps may be available in Texas, but their legal status has been disputed. Texas Attorney General Opinion KP-0057 stated that participation in daily fantasy sports leagues is illegal gambling under Texas Penal Code section 47.02, although DFS platforms have continued to operate in a gray and operationally available space. FanDuel and DraftKings, two of the leading U.S. online sportsbook brands, also operate DFS products. If you’re making a play with FanDuel in Texas, you’re using its DFS product rather than its state-regulated sportsbook.
Remember, too, that not all states are created equal when it comes to sports betting. Yes, you could bet with DraftKings when you were visiting family in Michigan, where sports betting is legal and regulated. That same DraftKings account isn’t going to work back in Texas.
Not reading the terms and conditions for an online betting site is an error many make. All promotional bonuses offered by online betting sites attach rollover requirements to these offers. That means you must wager the bonus funds a certain number of times before you can withdraw the cash. You’ll want to know that number before signing up at an offshore sportsbook accessible from Texas.
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