Discover everything about sports betting in The Lone Star State
Texas remains one of the largest untapped betting markets in the US. At SportsBettingSites, we break down everything you need to know about the current situation and what options are available. If you’re wondering “is sports betting legal in Texas?”, the answer is clear. It’s not legal at state level, with zero licensed state operators. This is where offshore sportsbooks come into play. This SBS explainer will tell you how Texas sports betting works in practice so you can understand where things stand.
On this page, we’ll cover the top betting sites available to Texas bettors, and an overview of the legal situation. This is true for sports betting, casinos, and horse racing. We also explain how we rate our featured offshore sportsbooks. Our focus is on key factors like reliability, market depth, and overall usability, so you can compare your options with confidence.
Are you ready to get started? Now is the perfect time to sign up with any of our featured Texas sportsbooks available to US bettors and begin exploring your options.
Available to Texas bettors
Great coverage of Texas sporting markets
Well-designed website
No live streaming
Bovada offers excellent coverage of popular Texas professional and college teams.
Its website is smartly designed and easy to use. It also includes a series of helpful tutorial videos that will help you get to grips with the platform.
Claim Bovada’s 50% up to $250 sign-up deal today.
Read Bovada Review
Available to Texas Bettors
Fast, reliable payouts
Crypto-friendly
Customer support could be improved
BetOnline offers a range of bonuses to new and returning users, which can be triggered with both fiat and crypto deposits.
It is a vast sportsbook, offering odds on everything from local Texas teams to niche international leagues.
Lock in BetOnline’s 50% up to $250 new customer promotion today.
Read BetOnline Review
Available to Texas Bettors
Crypto-friendly
Excellent rewards program
Rollovers can be high
MyBookie offers a range of bonuses allowing new and returning customers to boost their bankroll.
It is also renowned for its excellent rewards program, which you can find in the Rewards section on its website.
Sign up today to lock in MyBookie’s popular 100% up to $1000 new customer deal.
Read MyBookie Review
Available to Texas Bettors
Solid customer support
Vast sports betting markets
No political betting markets
BetNow offers excellent sports betting odds, covering everything from local Texas teams to European soccer minnows.
It enjoys an excellent reputation as a reliable, trustworthy sportsbook.
Create an account today to qualify for BetNow’s 125% up to $2,500 new customer bonus.
Read BetNow Review
This list of sites to bet on is perfect if you live in Texas. If you’re looking for betting sites elsewhere in the US, we have a comprehensive list of the best betting sites.
Sports betting in Texas is not currently legal at the state level, despite strong demand. There are no regulated retail or online sportsbooks operating locally. Things came close in 2023 when a bill passed the House, but it failed in the Senate. Because the Texas legislature meets every two years, progress toward legalization tends to be slow. The overall timeline remains uncertain.
This means Texas does not yet have a regulated betting framework, unlike states with open or single-operator markets. Bettors cannot place wagers through locally licensed platforms, but many turn to offshore sportsbooks as a practical alternative. These sites operate outside state jurisdiction and provide access to a wide range of markets. These markets include professional and college sports, along with features like live betting, competitive odds, and flexible payment options.
From a bettor’s perspective, the experience in Texas is defined by limited local options but broad access through alternative platforms. Coverage still includes major teams and leagues, from the Dallas Cowboys to the Houston Rockets, as well as national and international events. At SportsBettingSites, we focus on helping you navigate these options. We highlight platforms that deliver strong market coverage and a reliable betting experience so you can get involved with confidence.
Texas offers limited but established gambling opportunities, with casinos and horse racing providing the main legal betting outlets. While options are more restricted than in many other states, there are still ways for residents to engage online sportsbooks.
Casino gaming in Texas is limited to three tribal venues. These primarily offer electronic gaming machines rather than full Las Vegas–style table games. The most prominent is Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel, operated by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, offering electronic gaming machines, bingo-style games, and full resort amenities. State restrictions mean there are no traditional table games. Additional tribal venues include the Naskila Gaming and Speaking Rock Entertainment Center, which also focus on electronic gaming. Some residents also turn to casino cruises that operate in international waters, where a wider range of games is available. Others use online platforms for broader access to casino-style gaming.
Horse racing remains one of the few fully legal betting options in Texas, supported by major tracks such as Lone Star Park, Retama Park, and Sam Houston Race Park. These venues host live racing and simulcast events, though off-track betting options are limited and can be inconvenient depending on location. As a result, many bettors use online racebooks to follow races and place wagers more easily from home.
Get the latest sports betting updates and insights for Texas right here. We will keep these regularly updated so be sure to check back in with us on a regular basis.
Texas is home to a wide range of professional and college teams, creating consistent betting interest across multiple sports including the NFL and NBA . Offshore platforms provide strong coverage, with markets available on teams such as the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, Houston Texans, San Antonio Spurs, Texas A&M, Texas Longhorns, and Texas Rangers.
This variety allows bettors to stay engaged year round, whether focusing on football, basketball, baseball, or college matchups. At SportsBettingSites, we make sure the platforms we recommend offer full coverage and competitive lines. This means you can easily find betting opportunities tied to your favorite teams.
In Texas, online sports betting is largely accessed through mobile platforms. Many Texans rely on their phones to connect to offshore sportsbooks. This approach mirrors a wider shift across the US, and at SportsBettingSites, we prioritize finding the best betting apps that offer smooth navigation, competitive odds, and consistent performance for users on the go.
The key benefits center on flexibility and ease of use. This is especially true in a state where regulated options are not yet available. Mobile betting allows Texans to check live odds instantly, place wagers during games, monitor line movement in real time, and access exclusive app-based features, all within a single, convenient interface.
At SportsBettingSites, we follow a strict, hands-on process to evaluate sports betting sites available to Texas bettors. We create real accounts, test bonuses and promotions, check for hidden fees, and track payout speeds. We also ensure each platform delivers the markets, bet types, and overall experience that Texas users expect.
To keep our reviews consistent and unbiased, we use a structured rating system that compares key features side by side. This includes mobile interface and usability, betting markets and variety of bet types, bonus options and promotions, customer service quality, deposit and withdrawal methods, processing speed, and live betting features, helping us highlight only the strongest options for Texas bettors.
No, sports betting is not currently legal at the state level in Texas. There are no licensed local sportsbooks operating within the state. Despite ongoing legislative discussions, Texas sports betting remains unavailable through regulated in-state operators.
Many Texans use offshore sportsbooks to access online betting markets, including NFL, NBA, MLB, UFC, and college sports wagering. Popular Texas betting sites such as Bovada, BetOnline, MyBookie, and BetNow offer broad market coverage, crypto payment options, and mobile betting access.
What are the best Texas online betting sites?The best Texas online betting sites typically combine competitive odds, reliable payouts, user-friendly apps, and strong sportsbook promotions. At SportsBettingSites, we compare betting markets, live betting features, customer support, banking methods, and bonus offers to identify the strongest options for Texas bettors.
Can I bet on Texas sports teams online?Yes, offshore sportsbooks provide extensive coverage of Texas teams including the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Dallas Mavericks, and Texas Longhorns. Bettors can usually access moneylines, spreads, totals, player props, futures, and live betting markets throughout the season.
Will Texas legalize sports betting in the future?Texas lawmakers continue to debate sports gambling legislation, but progress has been slow due to political opposition and the state’s limited legislative sessions. While many industry experts believe online sports betting Texas markets could eventually become regulated, there is currently no confirmed timeline for legalization.
About the Author
Trent’s your man when it comes to all things sports. He covers a wide range of sports for Sports Betting Sites, and has been published in some pretty reputable outlets, such as USA Today Sports, Vice, Bloody Elbow, Fight! Magazine, UFC 360, and Narratively. Trent’s got the inside track on all the happenings in the world of sports.
Read Trent’s ProfileAsk Trent about this guide:
