Texas sports betting is not yet legalized, albeit there was a big push to get it a bill passed through the Lone Star state’s legislature in 2021. As the Texas legislative session only occurs in odd years, the next realistic push can only happen in 2023.
Since Attorney General Ken Paxton presented an opinion in 2017 citing that wagering on Daily Fantasy Sports contests was illegal under state law, the provision of DFS has remained something of a grey area in Texas.
Both the leading providers of DFS, DraftKings, and FanDuel, have sought to bring their own legal challenges to this opinion. In reality, the playing of DFS games by Lone Star state residents is very unlikely to get them into trouble.
The best Texas Fantasy & Props Sites – June 2024
More on Texas Sports Betting
- Texas Sports Betting: Current Situation
- Neighboring states with online sports betting
- Texas Sports Betting FAQs
- Likely Texas Sports Betting Sites
- History of Texas Sports Betting
- Texas Sports teams to bet on
Texas Sports Betting: As it stands
| Online Sports Betting | N |
| Mobile Sports Betting | N |
| Retail Sports Betting | N |
| Minimum Age | N/A |
Legal Texas sports betting is still not a reality in America’s second-largest state. That applies to online, mobile, and retail bets.
Although bills to legalize sports betting have been drawn up and debated, the April 2021 Texas legislative session failed to produce a unanimous agreement.
There is considerable support for the notion of legal sports betting, particularly from Texan democrats. However, backers of the proposed bill will now have to wait until 2023 for another chance to advance their case.
Neighboring states with legal online sports betting
Of Texas’s four bordering states, Louisiana and Arkansas have legalized sports betting, while Oklahoma and New Mexico still haven’t. Near neighbors Colorado went legal across all formats back in May 2020 and its market has seen consistent handle growth since.
Louisiana was one of the more surprising additions to the growing list of legal and live American states when it approved retail sports betting in 2021. In January this year, the southern state also approved online sports betting with many industry-leading operators, such as BetMGM, offering mobile apps.
- Check out the best Louisiana Sports Betting Sites
Arkansas Up until March 2022, placing legal sports bets in Arkansas required a trip to one of three designated casino locations. However, a rule change late in 2021, and rubberstamped in February 2022, approved the expansion of sports betting online in the state.
Oklahoma lawmakers have previously got a sports betting bill passed through the House, however, an agreement has yet to be reached to make it legal. Existing Tribal compacts have made the process a little more complex.
New Mexico has become something of an anomaly, legally. Although the Pueblo of Santa Ana Tribe acted quickly post PASPA to accept a legal sports bet in October 2018, at the Santa Ana Casino, NM lawmakers have since contested the legality of sports betting under the Tribal Compact.
Texas Sports Betting FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Texas?
Texas sports betting is not yet legalized, despite a big push to get it a bill passed in 2021. As the Texas legislative session only happens biennially, the next realistic chance for Texas to regulate sports betting will be in 2023.
Is it illegal to sports bet online in Texas?
It’s not currently legal to place an online sports bet in the Lone Star state. This also applies to any other format of sports betting within America’s largest state.
Can I play FanDuel or DraftKings daily fantasy games in Texas?
Both DFS giants make their daily fantasy games available in Texas, although their legal validity has a question mark hanging over it, since the Attorney General Ken Paxton presented an official opinion on the matter citing the practice of real money contests as illegal under state law.
Is BetMGM Sportsbook legal in Texas?
Along with all other Sportsbooks providers such as one of the very best in BetMGM, are as yet prevented from operating legally in the Lone Star State.
What other sportsbooks could become legal in Texas?
If Texas legislation were to change then the predicted strength of the market would doubtless see a queue of suitors as long as the Mississippi. At the front of the procession would most likely be the heavy hitters such as BetMGM, FanDuel, BetRivers, Caesars, and DraftKings.
Most likely Texas sports betting sites
BetMGM’s growing presence as an online sportsbook of the highest reputation is bound to see them reach straight for the spurs and the whip should the opportunity to operate in Texas arise.
DraftKings has such reach and gravitas in the North American sports betting and DFS markets that any new state line-up without them in the mix seems almost impossible.
FanDuel is now owned by gambling super heavyweights, Flutter Entertainment, so once the green light comes on in the Lone Star state expect FanDuel to be ready to go.
Caesars have developed a fantastic online sportsbook and mobile app that befits their land-based might, so any carving of the Texas revenue pie is sure to include them. Additionally, Caesars just launched in Maine with a great new customer offer that allows new bettors to get up to $1,000 in bonus bets if their first bet doesn’t win.
BetRivers is another of North America’s leading sportsbooks that would unquestionably be applying for a Lone Star state license should any proposed bill on sports betting make it into law.
Is Retail sports betting legal in Texas?
No retail sports betting is permitted under Texas state law, with no likely change to this status expected until 2023 at the earliest.
Latest Texas Sports Betting News
Like several states across the country, the question of legalizing sports betting has been a complex one.
There has been enough clamor to get several bills drawn up, however, as yet none have made it through committee. No fewer than five separate bills were passed up for consideration in 2021 without successful resolutions.
All bets are off until 2023 at least now, as the state legislature will next be in session then to debate any fresh attempts at legalization.
The history of Texas Sports Betting
The history of Texas Sports betting would not currently fill many textbooks, given that there is no genuine history to record as yet.
Nevertheless, there is certainly a split in opinion between the more conservative historical attitudes in the Lone Star state and those with more liberal attitudes who also see the potential benefits from tax revenues.
In a state where even the paucity of tribal casinos is very noticeable, there is some debate whether the legalization of Texas sports betting will ever come to pass.
The next legislative session in 2023 will be very telling as to where the future lies.
Texas Sports Teams to bet on
Texas is a football-mad state, and the Dallas Cowboys are the most famous major league export. The Cowboys are among the most successful franchises in NFL history, claiming five Super Bowls. This passion for gridiron is fed by the exploits of college football programs as well, namely the University of Texas, as well as many very competitive High Schools. The Lone Star State also has major league representation across baseball, basketball, hockey, and soccer.
Dallas Cowboys
There are not many teams who can boast the same fanaticism of their fans as “Team America” aka the Dallas Cowboys, who share the colossal AT&T Stadium with the University of Texas.
It’s one of the liveliest football colosseums in the country when either of its teams is hosting. That noise and atmosphere is ramped up another 20 notches when the Cowboys ‘welcome’ either the Washington Commanders or the Philadelphia Eagles.
Down the years, regular playoff football and their fair share of glory have given that obsessive support plenty of opportunity to throw their Stetsons in the air. The franchise has made it to the Super Bowl eight times, winning five of those. Not a bad strike rate. Those eight NFC championships is most in NFC history.
The Cowboys are also tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos for the second most Super Bowl appearances in NFL history, behind only the New England Patriots’ record of eleven Super Bowl appearances. The early 90s were the halcyon days for Dallas Cowboys fans.
Of course, behind great teams and eras are the great coaches, star players, and future hall-of-famers. There are many to choose from, so apologies to those that don’t get a mention.
With 29 years of service as head coach between 1960 and 1988, Tom Landry is not only legendary in Dallas, but he’s also an all-time great. Landry steered the Cowboys to two of five Super Bowl wins, as well as two other showpiece appearances.
Counting back from the 1970s there have been a several quarterbacks to have soaked up adulation including Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Tony Romo, and most recently Dak Prescott.
For the receiving fraternity there’s Bob Haye and Emmit Smith, and other legends like Bob Lilly and Jason Witten.
Houston Texans
Sticking with football and a sizeable state such as Texas, boasting four major cities, is bound to have at least one other major-league representative in the National Football League.
That franchise is the Houston Texans. Names don’t come more Texan than this. It’s fair to say that the AFC South Division inhabitants don’t quite carry the same NFL stature in as the Cowboys.
Then again, this expansion team was only formed in 2022 and six divisional titles have been scooped since 2011, which is at least something to point at.
In terms of star names to have pulled on the Texans jerseys, J.J Watt is the standalone iconic figure. The first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft is considered to be one of the greatest defensive linemen of all time. Watt holds two NFL defensive records for most seasons with 20+ sacks (2), and most seasons leading the league in sacks (2).
Following the reasonably successful Bill O’Brien era, Texans fans will be hoping that his successor in the Houston hotseat, David Culley, can knock his 2002 roster into better shape after a dismal first season finished 4-13.
Houston Astros
Staying in Houston but having a changeup to baseball, and the Astros are another reputable major league franchise from the Lone Star state.
Entering the National League alongside the New York Mets back in 1962, the ‘Stros enjoyed playoff successes across two divisions before making their debut World Series finals appearance in 2005.
Despite pitcher Roy Oswalt coming in hot from the 4-2 League Championship Series win over the St. Louis Cardinals, the World Series ended up being over in four against the Chicago White Sox.
A switch to the American League in 2012 did just the trick, however. In 2017, the potent combo of Justin Verlander from the mound and Jose Altuve delivering the moon shots – helped seal a first World Series win at the second attempt.
The Astros claimed a ding-dong 4-3 series win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Two more brushes with World Series glory in 2019 and 2021, have confirmed the franchise as one of the most feared in baseball currently.
Texas Rangers
Playing out of the brand-new Globe Life Field, Rangers fans will be hoping that the ballpark switch can help usher in some long-overdue success.
Those back-to-back World Series defeats in 2010/2011 remain the biggest highlights of a franchise with a very modest postseason history.
Players such as five-time MLB All-Star Josh Hamilton, with three Silver Slugger awards to his name, are strongly associated with this golden era for the Rangers.
San Antonio Spurs
Basketball is San Antonio’s most famed sports export, with the Spurs playing in the Southwest Division of the NBA’s Western Conference.
Their recent history is certainly very impressive. After a 10th shot at the Conference Championship proved successful, the Spurs didn’t look back.
The 1999 Western Conference champions marked their first NBA Championship finals appearance with victory. This feat would be repeated another four times by 2014, with only one NBA Finals appearance failure – a seven-game thriller against the Heat in 2013.
Houston Rockets
A recent resurgence of extended postseason hoops for the Rockets will have fans dreaming of Hakeem “the Dream” Olajuwon and the halcyon days of the mid-90s.
The 2017/18 vintage went within one game of a first NBA Finals appearance since they pieced together back-to-back Championships in 1994 and 1995.
It wasn’t to be for the great James Harden and the Rockets as the Golden State Warriors, inspired by Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Kevin Durant went on to win in seven.
Dallas Mavericks
Staying in the Western Conference’s Southwest Division and the Mavericks complete the three-way Texas b-ball rivalry.
With only one NBA Championship to its name coming aback in 2011, so far this franchise is the least successful of the Lone Star State rivals. It’s also the youngest having only formed in 1980.
With Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic already a three-time NBA All-Star since debuting in 2018, there is a genuine wave of optimism around the American Airlines Center these days.
Dallas Stars
The NHL’s Western Conference, Central Division residents have three Conference championships and a Stanley Cup triumph in the bank.
That 1999 win will be remembered fondly by Joe Nieuwendyk, the big signing from the Calgary Flames a few off-seasons prior. The Canadian centre registered 11 goals (six being winners) and 10 assists to earn the Conn Smythe Trophy.
The former Minnesota-based franchise also has two Presidents’ Trophy’s in the cabinet.
FC Dallas
Completing the set of Dallas’ major league franchises is their MLS outfit, playing their Western Conference soccer at the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Since their formation in 1996, FC Dallas have claimed three major honors. The 2010 MLS Cup runners-up swooped the Supporters Shield and U.S. Open Cup double in 2016, to add to their 1997 U.S. Open Cup.
Houston Dynamo FC
The Houston Dynamo have won the MLS Cup twice, making them Texas’s most successful soccer franchise. They managed to win the MLS’ most coveted prize back-to-back in 2006 and 2007, in their first two seasons as league members.
The club has also won the U.S. Open Cup once, in 2018. They have been MLS Cup runners-up twice, in 2011 and 2012, and Supporters’ Shield runners-up once in 2008.
Among some of the Dynamo’s most decorated former players is legendary left winger, Brad Davis. The six-time MLS All-Star won two MLS Cups and four Conference titles with Houston.
Austin FC
Having only been formed in 2021, Austin FC’s record books contain just one full season at the time of writing.
Although they finished above Houston Dynamos FC by a single point in the Western Conference, that still meant a 24th place finish out of 26th places in the league.
There’s plenty more to come from the Lone Star state’s newest major league franchise.