Texas Sports Betting 2025: TX Sports Betting
NOT LEGAL
Texas sports betting isn’t legal right now, but support from fans, teams, and some lawmakers keeps the issue alive for the future. Find alternative below.
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Last Updated: 10 July, 2025
No. Sports betting is not legal in Texas.
Lawmakers introduced bills in 2023, but none passed the Senate.
The next chance for legal progress won’t come until the 2025 legislative session.
Key facts of Texas betting
How do I gamble in Texas?
Online sports betting isn’t legal in Texas, and the state also restricts most forms of casino gambling.
Still, Texans have access to daily fantasy sports, social sportsbooks, and in-person betting on horse races at approved tracks.
Tribal gaming options and poker clubs also offer limited legal play.
Daily fantasy sports in Texas
Daily fantasy sports are in legal limbo, but platforms like PrizePicks, Underdog, Sleeper, and DraftKings Pick6 continue to operate.
Users can legally enter pick’em and draft-style contests for real money.
Other legal gambling options
Texans can bet on live horse races in person at tracks like Lone Star Park and Sam Houston Race Park.
Social sportsbooks such as Fliff, Rebet, and Thrillzz offer legal sports-style contests using virtual currency.
Tribal casinos like Kickapoo Lucky Eagle in Eagle Pass and Naskila Gaming near Livingston provide limited gambling options.
Some poker clubs also operate under local legal loopholes.
The legal gambling age in Texas depends on the activity.
You must be 21 or older to play at the state’s tribal casino.
For daily fantasy sports and social sportsbooks, most platforms accept users 18 and up.
If sports betting is legalized, lawmakers have proposed setting the minimum age at 21.
Can I bet on sports in another state?
Yes, but you must be physically present in that state to place a legal bet.
Sportsbook apps use geolocation to confirm your location before allowing wagers.
Texans often cross into Louisiana, Arkansas, or New Mexico to place legal bets.
Louisiana and Arkansas both allow statewide mobile sports betting.
New Mexico has retail-only betting at select tribal casinos.
You can download sportsbook apps ahead of time, but bets can only be placed once you're across the border.
Placing bets from inside Texas is still illegal, even if you use an out-of-state app.
Betting sites to avoid
With no legal sportsbooks in Texas, some people turn to offshore websites.
These platforms may look legitimate, but they operate without US oversight.
That means they can withhold winnings, shut down without notice, or mishandle personal information.
⚠️ Stay away from these offshore sportsbooks; they are not safe or legal for Texas players. ⚠️
Pros and cons of sports betting in Texas
Pros
- ✅ Strong public and team support for legalization
- ✅ Potential for major economic and tax benefits
Cons
- ❌ No legal online or in-person sports betting allowed
- ❌ Political opposition keeps bills from moving forward
Latest sports betting updates in Texas
The future of sports betting in Texas
Texas remains one of the largest untapped sports betting markets in the US, but political resistance continues to stall progress.
Despite widespread public interest and support from pro sports teams, lawmakers have not advanced any betting legislation.
The biggest hurdle is opposition from key Republican leaders, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who controls the Senate agenda.
He’s made it clear that without strong GOP backing, sports betting bills won’t move forward.
Efforts in 2023 failed despite bipartisan support in the House.
Still, pressure from voters, teams, and operators is growing.
If Republicans lose ground in the 2024 elections or leadership changes, 2025 could offer a clearer path.
Until then, any launch is unlikely, and experts say Texas may not see legal sports betting sites until 2028 or later.
Other types of legal betting in Texas
While sports betting isn’t legal in Texas, there are still ways to gamble within state law.
From horse racing to charitable bingo, residents have a few legal options to choose from.
Daily fantasy and social sportsbooks also give fans a way to engage with sports picks without breaking any rules.
Horse racing
Live horse racing and on-site pari-mutuel betting are legal at tracks like Lone Star Park, Sam Houston Race Park, and Retama Park.
You must place bets in person, as online horse race betting is banned in Texas.
Simulcast wagering is available year-round at approved locations.
Daily fantasy sports
DFS is legally unresolved in Texas, but major platforms like PrizePicks, Underdog, and DraftKings Pick6 still operate.
A 2016 opinion from the state attorney general claimed DFS was illegal, but courts haven’t ruled definitively.
Many Texans legally enter DFS contests every day.
Pari-mutuel wagering
Pari-mutuel betting is allowed only at licensed horse tracks.
Wagers are pooled, and payouts depend on odds calculated after betting closes.
Texas does not permit online pari-mutuel betting; all wagers must be placed in person at a live or simulcast race.
Charitable bingo and raffles
Texas allows licensed nonprofits to host bingo nights and raffles.
These events are regulated by the Texas Lottery Commission and must meet strict guidelines.
Prizes are capped, and only qualified organizations can hold them.
Yes, social sportsbooks are legal in Texas.
These platforms use virtual currencies and sweepstakes models to stay compliant with gambling laws.
Players use coins or cash-equivalent tokens to enter contests and can redeem winnings in certain formats.
Fliff, Rebet, and Thrillzz all operate in Texas.
These apps mimic real sportsbooks and offer leaderboards, stat-based picks, and legal access across the state.
How to start betting in Texas
While some guides might claim you can legally bet on sports from inside Texas, you can’t, and we’ll only show you real, legal ways to gamble, which may not involve sports at all.
Daily fantasy sports
Platforms like PrizePicks, Underdog, DraftKings Pick6, and Sleeper offer legal DFS contests across Texas.
You can join pick’em contests or enter snake drafts and compete for cash prizes.
These games are based on skill and operate under existing legal gray areas.
Most platforms accept players 18 and older.
Online horse race betting
Texas law prohibits online horse betting, but in-person wagering is allowed at approved tracks.
You can place live or simulcast bets at venues like Lone Star Park and Sam Houston Race Park.
These facilities offer full pari-mutuel services during racing seasons and limited simulcast events throughout the year.
Charitable gambling
Texas permits licensed nonprofits to run bingo nights and raffles under specific state rules.
Events must be registered with the Texas Lottery Commission and meet all prize and entry limits.
Common sponsors include churches, schools, and civic groups.
Social sportsbooks
Fliff, Rebet, Thrillzz, and similar apps give Texans a legal way to make sports-style picks.
These platforms use sweepstakes or virtual coins to stay compliant with state law.
You can make picks, follow leaderboards, and redeem winnings depending on the play mode you choose, all without breaking the law.
Crossing state lines to bet legally
Texans near the Louisiana or Arkansas borders can travel to place legal sports bets.
Both states offer full mobile betting.
Just download a licensed app and place bets once you’re across state lines.
New Mexico offers retail-only betting at tribal casinos.
Always be physically present in a legal state when betting.
Daily fantasy sports in Texas
Texas hasn’t formally legalized daily fantasy sports, but platforms continue to operate legally.
Players can enter real-money contests without violating state law.
1. PrizePicks
PrizePicks is one of the most popular DFS apps in Texas.
Users select whether a player will go “more” or “less” than a projected stat.
You can combine 2–6 picks per entry, with payouts rising as more picks hit.
Flex Play allows partial wins, while Power Play requires perfect cards.
The app is smooth and updated daily with new lines.
Top features
Daily pick’em across major leagues
Flex and Power Play formats
Mix picks across sports
Fast payouts and mobile-first design
$5 minimum deposit
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Easy for beginners
- ✅ Broad player stat options
Cons
- ❌ No team-based contests
- ❌ Limited analysis tools in-app
2. Underdog Fantasy
Underdog lets users compete in Best Ball drafts or quick pick’em contests.
In drafts, you build a team in a snake draft, and the app sets your lineup each week.
Pick’em contests focus on stat-based over/unders.
You can win up to 100x your entry.
It’s well-designed and supports daily and seasonal play.
Top features
Best Ball seasonal contests
Pick’em format with multipliers
Slick mobile interface
Cross-sport entry combinations
Growing prize pools
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Strong variety of game modes
- ✅ Quick daily contest turnaround
Cons
- ❌ Limited sports outside U.S. leagues
- ❌ Pick’em entries must be perfect for top payout
Types of bets in Texas
While traditional sportsbooks are not legal in Texas, you can still place similar bets through DFS and social sportsbook platforms.
Here are the common types:
Moneyline: Pick which team or player will win the game. Odds determine how much you win based on the favorite or underdog.
Point spread: Bet on the margin of victory. Favorites must win by a certain number; underdogs can lose within a margin or win outright.
Over/under: Also called totals, this bet involves predicting if the combined score will be over or under a set number.
Futures: Make long-term bets, like picking a Super Bowl or NBA Finals winner before or during the season.
Parlays: Combine multiple picks into one bet for a bigger payout. All picks must be correct to win.
Prop bets: Bet on individual player stats or specific game events. DFS pick’em contests often use these formats.
Live betting: Place bets during a game in progress. Social sportsbooks like Rebet offer this experience in a sweepstakes format.
Frequently asked questions
How to bet responsibly in Texas
Even though sports betting isn’t legal in Texas, people can still run into gambling problems through daily fantasy contests, poker clubs, or sweepstakes platforms.
It’s important to recognize risky behavior and know where to turn for help.
Warning signs include chasing losses, hiding gambling activity, or gambling with money you can’t afford to lose.
If any of these apply to you or someone you know, help is available.
Texas-specific resources:
Texas Department of Health and Human Services: hhs.texas.gov
Texas Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
Texas Lottery Responsible Gambling Program: txlottery.org
National help organizations:
National Council on Problem Gambling: ncpgambling.org
Gamblers Anonymous: gamblersanonymous.org
GamTalk: gamtalk.org
Most DFS and social platforms also offer deposit limits, self-exclusion tools, and timeout options.
Use them if needed; early action can make a difference.
Read our expert guide to responsible betting here.
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References
Contributors
Josh Miller
Author
Josh Miller, Sporting Post’s Sports & Casino Editor, brings over five years of experience in feature writing, blogging, and SEO.
With a strong background in football coverage and sports betting, his work has been featured in VAVEL.
Josh also writes extensively about online casinos, providing expert insights into games, bonuses, and gambling trends.
His engaging and informative content makes him a reliable resource for Sporting Post readers.
Bradley Gibbs
Reviewed By
With over 12 years of experience, Bradley Gibbs is a seasoned sports betting writer and analyst specializing in uncovering value bets across football, horse racing, tennis, and golf.
His extensive coverage of these sports has been featured on numerous websites and in The Racing & Football Outlook, a renowned UK betting publication.
Bradley's expertise lies in identifying betting edges and delivering insightful, data-driven content for informed wagering.