Sports Betting For Texas Residents

Sports betting for Texas residents is available through online sportsbooks only at this time. Texas has not managed to pass any legislation to bring land-based sportsbooks or regulated mobile sportsbooks to the Lone Star State. Thankfully, online sportsbooks can legally operate in Texas as there are no state laws that ban online sportsbooks from operating. This allows Texas residents to bet on their favorite teams across multiple sporting leagues. Texas is home to several sports teams including the Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Houston Rockets, and several collegiate programs. Sports betting fans are able to wager on all Texas teams, as well as any other team across all sports.

While retail sports betting is not available, lawmakers could be tempted to launch such a market at some point, but the earliest possible date is 2023. In 2021, there was an attempt to pass a bill that would allow local sports teams to hosts their own licensed sportsbooks in their stadiums. HB 2070 was sponsored by Republican Rep. Dan Huberty and did not pass in the 2021 session.

While this is still a while away from bringing sportsbooks to the Lone Star State, local sports betting fans are still able to place action as the legislators work things out. In addition to online sportsbooks, Texas is surrounded by states with legal sports betting. New Mexico, Louisiana and Arkansas have already launched sports betting, and the competition should force Texas to act sooner or later.

Legal Sports Betting Sites Accepting Texas Residents

Now, while you’re waiting for land-based Texas sports betting to open up, there’s no reason to miss out on any of the action. There are hundreds of legal sports betting sites accepting Texas residents right this minute. That being said, you don’t just want to pick one and be done with it – there are things to take into consideration, like the variety of games and wager types available, as well as betting limits and added perks like signing bonuses and mobile betting.

We’ve gone ahead and done the research part of this for you. After having personally tested a plethora of online sportsbooks, we found the top four for you. These sites have the largest selection of games covered, meaning you’ll have more options than you know what to do with. You’ll also find additional perks that make each of these sites unique – from live betting to mobile apps, these sites truly are the best of the best when it comes to sports betting in Texas.

Can’t choose just one? Keep an account at all of these books. This will allow you to shop lines and ensures that you find the absolute best payout for each and every game you wager on. No matter if you have one or four accounts, these legal sports betting sites accepting Texas residents are the best choice for you.

Bovada - Fastest Sportsbook Payouts For Texas Residents

Bovada SportsbookIt’s all about speed when it comes to Bovada sportsbook. Whether you’re looking for the fastest payouts or the fastest lines during live betting, you’ll find them right here at Bovada. You have several withdrawal options with Bovada, and none take longer than two weeks to reach you. If you choose to conduct transactions using cryptocurrency, your payout could reach you within 24-48 hours of your request being processed.

You’ll also find the faster live lines at Bovada than any other sportsbook. Fans of live betting know that it’s all about speed. The faster those lines are presented, the more action you can get in on. Live betting is just one of the many perks that make Bovada a world-class sportsbook. You’ll find tons of wagering options available for you at the pace that you prefer.

SportsBetting - Sign Up Through Your Smartphone + Bet

SportsBetting SportsbookSportsBetting.ag knows that you’re a busy person, and trying to find the time to sit down at a computer and create an account can sometimes be impossible. That’s why this online sportsbook allows you to create your account on your smartphone or tablet, as well as on the computer. You’ll be able to access SportsBetting wherever you are and place your bets whenever is most convenient for you.

As if that weren’t enough, SportsBetting also provides players with a $25 free play credit for using their mobile app. So not only can you benefit from the convenience of setting up your account on the go, you’re essentially getting paid the first time you play on your mobile device. SportsBetting is known for its incredible betting opportunities, and you won’t be disappointed by the many other benefits they offer their players. What are you waiting for? Get online today to begin the best sports betting in Texas you’ve ever experienced.

BetOnline - Everything But Betting On Texas HS Football

BetOnline SportsbookWhen it comes to betting on sports online, why not go with the site that’s literally named after the name of the game? BetOnline sportsbook has been providing legal, fun sports betting opportunities to Texas residents for years. Not only will you be able to find lines on professional sports, but you’ll also find betting opportunities on more college games than you’ll know what to do with. BetOnline has some of the most incredible wagering of any online gambling site period. When you’re at BetOnline, it doesn’t matter if it’s your first time betting or your thousandth time. They’ve got something for everyone, and a fully trained staff that can be reached 24/7 to help you if you really need it.

When it comes to betting, it’s not just about the games that are covered. It’s also about the wager types available and the betting limits you have to operate within. At BetOnline, you’ll find the largest selection of traditional and exotic wager types around. Additionally, betting limits are adjustable, which means you play at whatever level you’re most comfortable with. We’ve just barely covered the tip of the iceberg, so head over to BetOnline to find out what other goodies they have in store for you, like signing and deposit bonuses, free plays, and much more.

MyBookie - A Top Tier Texas Sportsbook

MyBookie SportsbookMyBookie is an excellent sportsbook for all kinds of bettors, and in a state as large as Texas, that’s a wide net to cast. MyBookie prides itself on providing all sorts of odds, from the latest moneylines on the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans to the most recent Houston Rockets spread to wagers on who will win the 2020 presidential election. Whatever you want to wager on, you can find it at MyBookie.

MyBookie also offers live and mobile betting, and these two can be used in concert to great effect. MyBookie’s wagering allows you to place bets from anywhere, using almost any device, and wager on almost any game. Shoot, forget about just games, you can wager on almost any event! All of these factors combine to make MyBookie one of the premier sportsbooks for Texas bettors.

XBet - An Outstanding Texas Sportsbook

XBet is a great sportsbook for Texas players to access, with a ton of different fways to wager on all of your favorite Texas teams. The DAllas Cowvboys are a notable favorite, as well as the Houston Texans and the Dallas Mavericks. Texas fans have a ton of different collegiate betting options at XBet as well, such as the Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies. All of these teams have a ton of wages available on them at XBet.

XBet also offers great bonuses for those who are willing to sign up in Texas. Their best bonuses key off of the use of cryptocurrency, but that is not a requirement for all their bonuses, so you can get some very good bonuses with traditional financial deposit methods. We do recommend the use of cryptocurrency at XBet due to the ability to withdraw in crypto being important at offshore sportsbooks like XBet.

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Sportsbetting Sportsbook50% Up To $1,000 Bitcoin, Wire Xfer, VISA

Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas?

Land-based sports betting in Texas is not currently legal, and more than likely won’t be for a long time. Despite the fact that Texas lawmakers lose out on close to two and a half billion dollars annually to casinos in neighboring states. There is no indication that they plan to expand gambling in the Lone Star state. As neighboring states begin to legalize sports betting, expect that deficit to grow even larger.

The heavily conservative mindset in the Texas legislature right now is going to carry over into the 2019 legislative session. Lawmakers who do introduce sports betting bills likely will not have the support needed to pass a law that would legalize Texas sports betting. That being said, anything can happen, and so we will diligently keep an eye on what happens during the next legislative session. Optimistically, there could be legal sports betting in Texas within the next year. Realistically, expect it to roll out within the next 3 to 5 years. It’s going to take a lot to make sports betting legal in Texas.

While we wait for old-fashioned lawmakers to come around on the activity, there are still sports betting options in the state. Online, offshore sportsbooks do not fall under the jurisdiction of state laws, and can legally offer sports wagering to Texas residents. Additionally, because there are no laws on the books when it comes to dealing with online, offshore sports betting, TX residents are free to wager as much as they like at online sportsbooks that are based in overseas countries.

When Will Texas Get Regulated Sports Betting?

Texas is not able to pass a sports betting bill until 2023. At this point, even that seems unlikely. There has been staunch opposition to sports betting in Texas, along fairly surprising lines. Many would expect a conservative state like Texas to object to sports betting on moral grounds, but it actually seems to be based mostly on the idea that the sportsbooks simply aren’t offering enough of a boost to government revenue to make it worth doing for a state the size of Texas. At this point, it is unlikely for sports betting to pass in 2023, leaving the only options for Texas sports betting as offshore sites for the foreseeable future.

What Cities In Texas Have Sportsbooks?

While sports betting in Texas has not been given the green light to operate at land-based locations yet, we know that lawmakers will eventually have no choice but to legalize it eventually. When that does happen, we believe that it will likely be housed at a Native American casino. There is currently one Class II casino and one High-stakes bingo hall operating in the state. These seem to be the most likely venues for Texas sports betting.

The Casino – called the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino – is located in Eagle Pass, Texas. This city is on the Texas-Mexico border, located just east of the Rio Grande. You’ll find bingo, video gaming terminals, and live poker at this establishment. The bingo hall is located across the state in Livingston, Texas. Just an hour outside of Houston, Livingston has plenty to do for everyone. The bingo hall is called Naskila Gaming. If more sportsbooks are allowed to open in Texas, we will update this list to include all of the cities in Texas that have sportsbooks.

Southern Texas Region:

South Eastern Texas Region:

Legal NFL Betting In Texas

The Super Bowl is the crown jewel of legal NFL betting in Texas. Neither of the Texas teams is going to make it, but the game itself should be a spectacular event. Texas’ sports betting patrons can access all the best Super Bowl sportsbooks via online action, such as Bovada and BetOnline. These books offer more bets than any state based competitor in the neighboring states, which makes them a great choice for dedicated Texas NFL betting fans.

How To Use Texas Sportsbooks

Using Texas sportsbooks is a simple procedure. Note that the only ones you will be able to access are located offshore. This makes it even simpler, because the vast majority of offshore sportsbooks have the same basic requirements to get started. Here is how to get started with Texas sportsbooks.

  • Pick a sportsbook to use.
  • Register for your sportsbook of choice.
  • Make your first deposit, applying any bonuses you wish.
  • Open the sportsbook and pick your wager.
  • Send in your final bet slip, and wait to collect your winnings!

Mobile Sports BettingMobile Sports Betting in Texas

Unfortunately for sports bettors in Texas, the state is unlikely to pass bills legalizing in-state mobile betting in the near future. Doing so would require an amendment to the state’s constitution, which will be difficult to pass. Despite this, placing bets with online sportsbooks is still perfectly legal, as these online books are not subject to the Wire Act of 1961. The majority of these overseas books feature dedicated mobile websites optimized to provide a full range of betting features, including live betting, to their mobile users. If you want to wager on the Dallas Cowboys from your mobile phone, the best thing you can do is use one of these mobile websites from an offshore sportsbook.

Dan Patrick And Texas Sports Betting

It’s difficult to talk about the trials and tribulations of Texas sports betting advocates without mentioning Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Patrick is the most outspoken opponent of sports betting regulation in Texas, citing the fact that the sportsbooks won’t give them enough of a cut to make a deal worthwhile. Patrick has described the typical proposals from sportsbooks as barely enough to pay for three days of Texas’ government operations. He’s not exactly wrong - many states are getting only a pittance of sports betting revenue compared to the amount the books themselves take in. As long as Patrick is in

Legal College Football Betting In Texas

Football is practically a religion in the Lone Star State, and with 23 NCAA Division I football teams calling Texas home, there’s no lack of action to be found when it comes to legal college football betting in Texas. Whether you’re a Longhorns diehard or a loyal Aggies supporter, you’ll be able to find coverage on any Texas college football team at online, offshore sportsbooks. These are currently the only books legally able to offer action on college football in the state.

Texas Sports Betting & Gambling Laws

There are a couple of federal laws that directly influence sports betting in all fifty states, not just in Texas, that you should be aware of. These are the Federal Wire Act and the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA). The federal Wire Act prevents people from taking wagers over state lines. The UIGEA prevents banks and financial institutions from processing gambling transactions made online in the US. This doesn’t prevent the usage of online sportsbooks, it just makes it a little tougher for credit cards to be accepted as deposit methods.

Now, when we’re looking for state laws, there’s really only one that talks about sports betting. Found in Texas Penal Code 47.01, Texas state law prevents gambling on the outcome of sporting events. Until this changes, you won’t be seeing sports betting anywhere in Texas.

The good news for avid sports betting fans is that there are still legal options available to you. Online, offshore sportsbooks like the ones recommended on this site are perfectly safe and lawful options because they operate out of countries where sports betting has already been legalized. As they are regulated by gaming commissions and a set of laws, you can rest assured that you are participating in legal Texas sports betting.

Click the following link to learn more on Texas Sports Betting Laws

Legal Gambling Age For Texas Residents

The Legal gambling age for Texas residents is 21. Whenever sports betting in Texas does get the green light, don’t expect the legal age to bet on sports to be any different. Online sportsbooks are explicit about enforcing the legal gambling age in your area when you join, so be sure that you’re not creating an account until you are 21 years old. It doesn’t matter whether the sportsbook has a different age listed - you must follow the laws of the land. So remember - when you want to place a bet on the Houston Texans in Texas, you have to be 21 or over.

Texas Sports Betting Bills

Texas lawmakers showed renewed interest in sports betting in 2021’s legislative session. There were four bills on the table that could have been passed in the TX legislature, but none of them passed. Previous sessions in 2019 and 2015 have yielded attempts as well. Remember that the next legislative session that could pass one of these bills is in 2023.

Texas Sports Betting Bills Considered In 2021:

Previous Texas Sports Betting Bills:

Land Based Gambling In Texas

Currently, land-based gambling in Texas can take place at two locations – Eagle Pass and Livingston. In Eagle Pass, you’ll find the only Casino in the Lone Star state, the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino. This gambling venue is able to offer Class II gaming, which includes video table games, slots, and bingo.

Naskila Gaming in Livingston is currently just a high-stakes bingo hall and video gaming facility. It is presently embroiled in a court battle with the State of Texas, as lawmakers do not believe that the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas has legal right to open a gaming facility under the 1987 federal restoration law. The Tribe believes that they do have this right, under the more recent 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Naskila Gaming is able to operate while the court battle ensues, though we will be updating this page as the situation develops

Now that PASPA has been repealed, Texas Casinos and Bingo Halls would be the easiest place for Texas sports betting to open. That being said, with such an overwhelming majority of lawmakers vocally against expanded gambling in the state, it may be a while before you see any more land-based gambling in Texas.

Texas Sports Betting Revenue Projections

Texas is one of the three holy grails of sports betting, along with Florida and California. New York’s sports betting regulation brought in $1.6 billion in the first month of operation, and many analysts put Texas’ potential market size on a comparable level. It is one of the three remaining largest markets for sports betting to get into, which makes it a heavy focus for lobbyists. Sports teams in Texas are also very interested in making sure that they have access to sports betting as a revenue stream, adding additional pressure to Texas legislators - but nothing has moved yet.

Sports Betting Taxes In Texas

Texas does not have any specific sports betting taxes, but you will have to report gambling winnings to the IRS. These are reported as 1099 income, so you’ll end up paying somewhere between 24 and 28 percent to the federal government. You will report this income as gambling income, similar to income that you would have reported if you hit a jackpot at an out-of-state casino.

Recent Events In Texas Sports Betting

  • April 8, 2022 – Famed Texas sports bettor Mattress Mack cashes a $7.9 million bet after Kansas wins March Madness 2022. He was unable to place this bet in Texas, forced to travel out of state to do so.
  • March 23, 2022 – The Texas Tech Red Raiders reach the Sweet Sixteen in March Madness, but loses.
  • March 1, 2022 – Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick are the Republican primary winners for Gov/Lt. Gov in Texas. Patrick is a huge anti-gambling advocate, and both are likely to win in November.
  • Jan 20, 2022 — The Houston Dynamo and Fubo Gaming reach a partnership deal that could give Fubo a leg up when sports betting is regulated.

Popular Texas Sports Teams To Bet On

Team Info
Dallas Cowboys Sportsbooks The Dallas Cowboys are the premier sports team in Texas. Playing in the NFC East division of the NFL, they’ve been a perennial playoff team for years.
Houston Texans Sportsbooks The Houston Texans are in the midst of a rebuild, but in a few years they should be back in AFC contention.
Dallas Mavericks The Dallas Mavericks are on the upswing in the NBA, led by the talents of Luka Doncic.
San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are coming to the end of legendary head coach Gregg Popovich’s tenure, but he’s still hanging on.
Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are in the midst of a rebuild after trading James Harden, but have some interesting future pieces like Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun.
Texas Rangers The Texas Rangers have struggled in recent years, as they’ve been looking to get back on track.
Houston Astros The Houston Astros are known throughout the baseball world as alleged cheaters, but they’re also a truly excellent team year-in and year-out.
Texas Longhorns The Texas Longhorns are perhaps the most popular college sports team in Texas, despite their struggles in recent years.
Texas Tech Red Raiders Sportsbooks The Texas Tech Red Raiders have managed to put together some respectable seasons, but have not made the Big 12 Championship Game recently.
Texas A&M Aggies Sportsbooks Following a move to the SEC and the hiring of Jimbo Fisher, the Aggies are looking to become one of the premier teams in college football.
Baylor Bears Sportsbooks After bottoming out following a disastrous sexual assault scandal, Baylor has rebounded with quality teams led by several head coaches.
TCU Horned Frogs Sportsbooks TCU has fallen a bit from their contending status in the early 2010s, but they’re still a force to be reckoned with.

Other Sports To Bet On In Texas

Legal Texas Super Bowl Betting
Texas World Cup Betting
Horse Racing Betting Texas

Texas Sports Betting Bonuses

Online sportsbooks in Texas are located entirely offshore, and so bonuses must be understood in that context. One thing that you’ll notice when examining Texas’ sportsbook bonus options is that many of them are rewards for depositing with cryptocurrency. This is because offshore sportsbooks do a lot of business in crypto, and by adopting cryptocurrency, you’re helping them to make money. Thus, they pass on some of that money to you in the form of bonuses. Make sure you keep an eye on rollover requirements for these bonuses, however. Rollover requirements refer to the amount of times you have to wager the bonus value before you are allowed to withdraw. Compare bonus value with playthrough requirements in order to find the best bonus for your gambling habits.

The Best Sportsbook Bonuses In Texas:

Online Sportsbook Bonus Code Maximum Bonus Value Percent Bonus Value Playthrough Requirements
Bovada BTCSWB750 $750 75% 5x
BetOnline BOL1000 $1,000 50% 10x
MyBookie MYB100 $1,000 100% 10x
XBet XBET50 $500 50% 7x
SportsBetting SB1000 $1,000 50% 10x
BetUS JOIN200 $2,500 150% Sports + 50% Casino 15x

Other Forms Of Gambling In Texas

While sports betting is only available at online sportsbooks located outside of Texas, there are other forms of gambling that can be accessed in Texas, both at online sportsbooks and via other means.

Horse Race Betting In Texas

Horse race betting in Texas can be accessed in a variety of ways, but online sportsbooks located outside of the state provide the best experience. These books allow you to wager on horse races from home, and stream them live as you are betting on them. They also provide virtual horse race betting so you can always have horse racing available to you, even when no races are happening.

Politics Betting In Texas

Political wagering is only available at offshore sportsbooks, as no US sportsbook is authorized to offer odds on politics. Thus, the best place to wager on politics in Texas is on your phone, at an offshore sportsbook such as Bovada. These sportsbooks are some of the best around, and they offer political betting on elections ranging from the Texas governorship to the presidency of the United States.

Poker In Texas

Poker is a contested issue in Texas, as there are several regulated poker rooms available in-person, but lawmakers are questioning their legality. Dallas is currently fighting with card rooms that it approved only a few years ago, arguing that they still are not allowed to exist. It remains to be seen what happens with Texas’ retail poker offerings, but online poker is available at offshore casinos.

Lottery Games In Texas

The Texas Lottery is the only cut-and-dry option for Texas gambling that can be accessed everywhere in Texas. This is because it is above reproach at this point - no lawmaker is advocating to draw back on the lottery. Lottery games in Texas can be played across the state, and many retail locations provide lottery tickets.

Daily Fantasy Sports In Texas

Daily fantasy sports options are available in Texas. Texas does not specifically outlaw any DFS operators, which means that the majority of them are available and usable in the state. This allows players to access DFS games at the following major DFS operators:

  • Yahoo! Fantasy
  • DraftKings
  • FanDuel
  • Monkey Knife Fight

FAQ About Online Sports Betting In Texas

1) Where are the federal gambling posted for me to read?

There are two federal sports betting laws currently on the books in the United States: The Wire Act, and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, otherwise known as the UIGEA for short. These laws can be found with a simple google search, using their names or the keywords “federal sports betting laws”. An overview of UIGEA, for example, can be found here. You can also look at the legal code of the United States, under the year that the laws were passed for the complete verbiage. The Wire Act was passed in 1961, and the UIGEA was passed in 2006.

2) What about the gambling laws written by the Texas Legislature?

If you visit www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us you can search for the laws directly. You will need to know what the names of the laws are, or what year they were passed in to help narrow the search down. Every Texas gambling law can be found on its legislative website.

3) Is Bovada legal in the state of Texas?

Yes, Bovada is legal in the State of Texas. This well respected online sportsbook is a fantastic choice for Texas residents, as it provides some of the best and fastest lines for sports betting in the country. You’ll find everything you could possibly want at this online sportsbook. Texas sports betting never looked as good as it did on Bovada.

4) Are there any caveats to depositing with a credit card?

Using a credit card to make deposits at online sportsbooks is usually convenient, but sometimes fail. This is because of the UIGEA, a federal sports betting law that prevents US banks from processing gambling transactions. Because of this, we recommend using prepaid cards for deposits. The funds have already been processed and transferred to the card. So long as the card is enabled to make online purchases and overseas transactions, you will not be subject to any further trouble depositing into your account.

5) How many sportsbooks can I join from this list?

You can join each sportsbook if you so choose. There are no limits on how many different sportsbooks you can join. What there is a limit on is how many accounts you have with a single sportsbook. You are only allowed to have one account per book, so that you’re not cheating and driving odds up or down, or trying to accept extra bonuses.

6) How fast can I receive my winnings from these sports wagering sites?

The speed with which you receive your winnings depends entirely on what payout method you choose. In the ever-changing digital world we live in, you can now be paid by these online sportsbooks using cryptocurrency. If you choose this method, you’ll receive your payout within 24 hours of the request being processed. If you choose a more traditional payout method, like a check in the mail, it will take a little longer. No payout should take more than 14 business days to reach you unless specifically stated when you choose that method. If it takes longer than that, contact customer service.

7) How secure are these sports betting sites?

We have personally tested these sites ourselves, and find that they are extremely safe. They not only use the most up to date security software, but they also use encryption software that keeps your personal information between you and the person processing your payments. The sites we recommend are highly secure, offering the safest online sports betting in Texas.

8) Has a Texas bettor ever been arrested for gambling on sports over the Internet?

No, a Texas resident has never been arrested for gambling on sports over the internet. This is because of the way that federal sports betting laws have been written. The two current sports betting laws, the Wire Act and the UIGEA, both penalize the person or persons taking the bets, not the person placing them. Unless you are operating a sportsbook, you will not get in trouble for betting on sports online in Texas.

9) Who authorizes and regulates the betting sites to be found here?

The sites that we recommend are regulated and authorized by the governments of several countries. We recommend sites that operate out of Canada, Costa Rica, Panama, and the United Kingdom, as they have been operating legal sports betting the longest. These sites accept US bettors legally and safely under the guidance of their own gaming commissions, which have been given operational powers by their local government.

10) What about taxes? Must they be paid on the gambling winnings I earn from these online sportsbooks?

Taxes are, unfortunately, one of the only unavoidable things in life. Yes, you will have to pay taxes on the gambling winnings you earn from these online sportsbooks. You can itemize them or report them as income, depending on how much you earn. You’ll need to file a form called W2-G, as well.