Sports Betting Texas

• Sports betting is the activity of predicting sports results and placing a wager on the outcome. The frequency of sports bet upon varies by culture, with the vast majority of bets being placed on association football, American football, basketball, baseball, hockey, track cycling, auto racing, mixed martial arts, and boxing at both the amateur and professional levels.
• Jan 26, 2021 However, gambling and sports magnates are targeting Texas in a long-term campaign to bring gambling to the Lone Star State. There are a few ways that sports betting could come to Texas, and a few begin with sports betting legalization. Expanding other types of gaming could open the door to sports betting legalization later.

Background on Texas sports betting laws

Sports Betting in Texas Currently, sports betting is not allowed in Texas. This includes mobile online and gambling. However, horse racing and parimutuels betting are legal in the state,.

While even discussing gambling expansion in Texas has caused rifts, a two-tiered proposal emerged in February 2019.

The 15-page bill, HB 1275, arrived courtesy of Rep. Eddie Lucio III and would authorize online and mobile wagering. In addition, the measure would tab the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to oversee the industry, which would see a 6.25% tax rate imposed 'on each bet placed by a sports bettor.'

Under HB 1275, bettors would have the ability to wager on professional and college sports.

As the bill would require a referendum to amend the state constitution, one needing approval from voters, Lucio also introduced House Joint Resolution 61.

In order to move forward, the referendum would need two-thirds support in both the House and Senate. Only then can the order be placed on the ballot for public vote.

Both proposals were referred to Licensing & Administrative Procedures. As the Texas Legislature only convenes every two years, the two proposals have sat in limbo, though they could be reviewed in early 2021.

A total of five permits would become available if sports betting is legalized under this bill, with two skins authorized for each holder.

Of course, people go crazy for sports in Texas, which could obviously help sports betting thrive in the Lone Star State. That said, there has been plenty of pushback on previous proposals.

For years, bills authorizing casinos and daily fantasy sports have stalled.

Will sports betting be legalized in Texas?

Most people do not realize that the Texas Legislature meets only in odd years. As such, the two bills have gone untouched for nearly two years.

The earliest lawmakers can revisit the pair of proposals is January 2021. Voters would need to approve the referendum for a constitutional amendment in fall 2021. Then the state could move forward to shaping the Texas sports betting industry.

But even advancing legislation to the November ballot appears to be an improbable situation.

For years, bills have been cast to the side due to a variety of factors, ranging from disagreement with what measures attempt to accomplish or simply because of party affiliation. These sports betting proposals, for example, were introduced by a Democrat in a Republican-filled state, which does not bode well for the future of the bills.

Where would I be able to make legal sports bets in Texas?

Only two casinos operate in the state. And any efforts to add more have quickly been rebuffed in the past.

While the existing casinos remain difficult to access, the latest proposals would allow for online and mobile sports betting.

As a result, and if somehow legislation passes to legalize sports betting, those located within Texas' borders would potentially have access to up to 10 online sportsbooks.

Obviously, this is all hypothetical, as plenty of work — and wishful thinking — remains for the proposed legislation.

What sports could I bet on in Texas?

As the bill is written, operators would be authorized to offer wagering on professional and college sports.

Other states with legalized sports betting typically feature a multitude of wagering options, including American and international sports.

Visit any number of legal sportsbooks, and you will see common betting market threads:

• Boxing

On top of all this, operators also offer markets on more niche sports, including Australian rules football, cricket, rugby, table tennis and darts.

Betting on Texas sports teams

If Texas ever does legalize sports betting, it would behoove lawmakers to allow bettors to wager on Texas-based teams. After all, the state does feature some of the most recognized professional and college teams in the country.

In the four major North American professional leagues alone, Texas boasts eight franchises:

• Houston Astros (MLB)
• Texas Rangers (MLB)
• Dallas Mavericks (NBA)
• Houston Rockets (NBA)
• San Antonio Spurs (NBA)
• Dallas Cowboys (NFL)
• Houston Texans (NFL)
• Dallas Stars (NHL)

Sports Betting Laws Texas

If that weren't enough, Texas also features 12 Division I colleges competing in the FBS and a host of others in the FCS.

• Baylor (Big 12)
• TCU (Big 12)
• Texas (Big 12)
• Texas Tech (Big 12)
• Texas A&M (SEC)
• Houston (AAC)
• SMU (AAC)
• North Texas (C-USA)
• Rice (C-USA)
• UTEP (C-USA)
• UTSA (C-USA)
• Texas State (Sun Belt)

What would be the minimum age for sports betting in Texas?

While each state that legalizes and launches sports betting differs in many ways, several shared traits do exist.

Among them is the minimum age for individuals to participate in regulated sports betting.

No doubt, then, Texas would follow the trend and require bettors to be at least 21 years old in order to place regulated wagers.

How do I deposit money into an online sports betting account?

Mobile Sports Betting Texas

Online sportsbooks elsewhere offer many methods for funding a sports betting account. Often, the list includes:

• Credit/debit cards
• Prepaid cards
• Check/money order
• Bank wire transfer/e-check/ACH
• PayPal/Skrill/Neteller
• PayNearMe
• Cash at cage of casino affiliated with an online sportsbook

Sportsbooks also frequently offer deposit bonuses, so paying attention to bonus codes to receive said bonuses is recommended.

Withdrawal options

Gaining access to winnings is usually fairly simple. Many online sportsbooks in other states allow customers to use similar methods for withdrawal.

Popular options include PayPal and similar online payment processors. Sportsbooks also offer bank transfers and e-checks as well as paying via cash at the casino cage.

Texas sports betting is not legally permitted as of 2020. Even as the national legal climate allows more and more sports betting, there have been no signs of a change for TX sports betting. There are no Texas betting sites available either.

However, just because TX sports betting is not legally permitted doesn't mean that there aren't any other options. Let's take a closer look at Texas sports betting laws. We'll also examine what services may be available for betting in Texas if regulations around Texas sports betting change.

Daily Fantasy Sports in Texas

Although Texas online sports betting has not yet been approved, there are other options for residents of the state to add some excitement to their sporting events. That's because daily fantasy sports are accessible in the state through Texas betting sites.

Daily fantasy sports have long existed in Texas in a legal gray area. The law does not classify these services as Texas sports betting apps, arguing that they are games of skill rather than gambling. That means fantasy sports can operate outside the usual restrictions for Texas sports betting apps.

However, fantasy sports betting in Texas should be done cautiously. Although prominent fantasy sports providers do take customers in the state, one provider has stopped accepting customers in Texas after the state's attorney general issued a non-binding opinion that fantasy sports do classify as gambling. Further legislative activity has since stalled, but fantasy sports betting in Texas is in somewhat uncertain territory.

Most Likely Texas Sportsbooks

As of late 2020, there are no Texas sportsbooks available to accept customers. However, should the state legalize Texas sports betting in the near future, here are some of the best providers likely to open for business.

All of these providers are U.S.-based companies, which means that they will comply with any Texas online sports betting regulations. These are all well-established providers as well, making them wise choices for TX sports betting.

DraftKings Sportsbook

As you'll see later on, DraftKings already takes customers in Texas for daily fantasy sports. Once Texas sports betting goes online, you'll be able to get your fantasy sports and TX sports betting all through the same provider.

DraftKings accepts wagers on all major U.S. and international sports. They also offer a convenient mobile experience, meaning they are sure to be one of the top Texas sports betting apps once they're given the approval to operate in the state.

FOX Bet

You may already watch some of your games through the FOX Sports Networks. The company has also begun to offer services as a sportsbook. They operate in just a few states so far, but they could expand if the state legalized Texas sports betting.

FOX Bet offers services geared towards new players, so it will be one of the Texas betting sites best suited to inexperienced players if they come to the state.

BetRivers

Coming from a company already established in the physical casino industry, this app is sure to be useful for betting in Texas once the industry takes off. Their sports service operates in just a small handful of states but is quickly expanding.

BetRivers sportsbook is known for offering a generous customer loyalty program. These offers will be available to local players if Texas online sports betting is legalized.

Texas Betting Laws

Like all states in the U.S., Texas is beholden to federal law. Other states have seen rapid change since the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (or PAPSA) was repealed to pave the way for regulated sports betting. However, change has been slow to come for TX sports betting.

Outside of authorized casinos on Native American land, betting in Texas is still prohibited. The state's gaming industry and Texas sports betting disbanded in the 1970s, with the only exception made for fantasy sports, as detailed later in the guide. However, outside of these limited circumstances, Texas online sports betting remains illegal.

States where you can already place an online sports bet today :

Updated on :

Colorado | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Michigan | Nevada | New Jersey | Pennsylvania | Tennessee | Virginia | West Virginia

Future of Texas Online Sports Betting

Despite the current prohibition, there have been some moves to suggest a change may be coming. However, sports fans in the state can't know exactly when to expect this change to Texas sports betting. The future of Texas betting sites remains uncertain.

In February of 2019, the state Legislature heard a new proposal on Texas sports betting, House Joint Resolution 61. The bill would allow the state government to regulate wagers placed on professional and college sports.

Since the bill would include an amendment to the state constitution, it requires approval from two-thirds of both the state Senate and House of Representatives before going to a referendum for the people of Texas.

These steep requirements make it uncertain whether or not the bill will be signed into law. However, even if Texas Joint Resolution 61 doesn't pass, these are early signs of a forthcoming change to Texas online sports betting.

Although the bill's short-term prospects seem poor, the fact that Texas sports betting is being discussed in the state Legislature shows that the conversation on this issue has moved away from prohibition and toward regulation.

California Sports Betting News

Texas Online Sports Betting: Events and Betting Markets

When it comes to sporting events in the Lone Star State, it's hard to find anything much bigger than college football. Texas has the bragging rights of hosting the sport's second-oldest bowl, the Sun Bowl. Hosted in El Paso since 1935, this annual game features some of the top college teams around.

Expect Texas sportsbooks to be busy with the Sun Bowl in the future once Texas sports betting is approved. Local events such as this would likely be a mainstay of future TX sports betting.

Popular Texas Events

Along with the Sun Bowl, here are some other local sporting events that may be popular for Texas sports betting in the future.

• Cotton Bowl
• Texas Bowl
• Frisco Bowl

Betting on Pro Sports Teams in Texas

Once Texas sports betting becomes available, fans will be able to place wagers on all their favorite professional teams from the state. Here are some of the local franchises to keep in mind once TX sports betting is launched.

NFL Betting in Texas

Texas is one of a handful of states to boast more than one pro football team.

Dallas Cowboys Betting

With five Superbowl wins to their name, this team has a winning pedigree. Texas sportsbooks will surely back these local favorites when Texas sports betting launches.

Houston Texans Betting

A fairly new team who joined the league in 2002, the Texans already have a sizable local following. They had a great season in 2019, only losing in the playoffs to eventual Super Bowl champs the Kansas City Chiefs. Certainly, Texas sports betting apps will have exciting offers for Texans fans once the service goes live.

NBA Betting in Texas

Three NBA call the state home. Texas sports betting will have plenty of variety to offer for basketball once it's given the green light.

San Antonio Spurs Betting

One of the most successful NBA franchises of history, the Spurs have taken home five championship rings. Undoubtedly, Texas betting sites will be able to cater to Spurs fans once betting services become available.

Houston Rockets Betting

Rockets fans have a history to be proud of as a championship team. The Houston Rockets were the first team from the state to win a championship and the only Texas team to have won back-to-back championships.

Dallas Mavericks Betting

Taking home their first NBA title in 2011 with star Dirk Nowitzki leading the way, the Mavs are looking to build on that success. The Mavericks are sure to be a popular offering for future Texas sportsbooks.

NHL Betting in Texas

Hockey is growing in popularity in Texas, and the state has one professional team in the league. Texas online sports betting options are bound to feature these local teams once the industry is opened for business.

Dallas Stars Betting

After moving to Texas in ‘93, the Stars won the 1999 Stanley Cup to bring the trophy to Texas for the first time. This team will likely be a favorite in Texas sports betting.

MLB Betting in Texas

Texas has two professional baseball teams based in the state.

Houston Astros Betting

Texas' longest-running pro baseball team, the Astros have been a presence since 1962. They became the first World Series champions from Texas after winning the title in 2017. Texas sportsbooks will hopefully be offering fans a chance to bet on the Astros building on that success.

Texas Rangers Betting

Having relocated from the D.C. area in 1972, the Rangers have since established themselves in the Texas baseball scene. They reached their first World Series in 2010 and repeated that feat in 2011. Texas betting sites will have odds on the Rangers winning their first title once regulated betting goes live.

Other Texas Teams to Bet On

FOX Bet offers services geared towards new players, so it will be one of the Texas betting sites best suited to inexperienced players if they come to the state.

BetRivers

Coming from a company already established in the physical casino industry, this app is sure to be useful for betting in Texas once the industry takes off. Their sports service operates in just a small handful of states but is quickly expanding.

BetRivers sportsbook is known for offering a generous customer loyalty program. These offers will be available to local players if Texas online sports betting is legalized.

Texas Betting Laws

Like all states in the U.S., Texas is beholden to federal law. Other states have seen rapid change since the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (or PAPSA) was repealed to pave the way for regulated sports betting. However, change has been slow to come for TX sports betting.

Outside of authorized casinos on Native American land, betting in Texas is still prohibited. The state's gaming industry and Texas sports betting disbanded in the 1970s, with the only exception made for fantasy sports, as detailed later in the guide. However, outside of these limited circumstances, Texas online sports betting remains illegal.

States where you can already place an online sports bet today :

Updated on :

Colorado | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Michigan | Nevada | New Jersey | Pennsylvania | Tennessee | Virginia | West Virginia

Future of Texas Online Sports Betting

Despite the current prohibition, there have been some moves to suggest a change may be coming. However, sports fans in the state can't know exactly when to expect this change to Texas sports betting. The future of Texas betting sites remains uncertain.

In February of 2019, the state Legislature heard a new proposal on Texas sports betting, House Joint Resolution 61. The bill would allow the state government to regulate wagers placed on professional and college sports.

Since the bill would include an amendment to the state constitution, it requires approval from two-thirds of both the state Senate and House of Representatives before going to a referendum for the people of Texas.

These steep requirements make it uncertain whether or not the bill will be signed into law. However, even if Texas Joint Resolution 61 doesn't pass, these are early signs of a forthcoming change to Texas online sports betting.

Although the bill's short-term prospects seem poor, the fact that Texas sports betting is being discussed in the state Legislature shows that the conversation on this issue has moved away from prohibition and toward regulation.

California Sports Betting News

Texas Online Sports Betting: Events and Betting Markets

When it comes to sporting events in the Lone Star State, it's hard to find anything much bigger than college football. Texas has the bragging rights of hosting the sport's second-oldest bowl, the Sun Bowl. Hosted in El Paso since 1935, this annual game features some of the top college teams around.

Expect Texas sportsbooks to be busy with the Sun Bowl in the future once Texas sports betting is approved. Local events such as this would likely be a mainstay of future TX sports betting.

Popular Texas Events

Along with the Sun Bowl, here are some other local sporting events that may be popular for Texas sports betting in the future.

• Cotton Bowl
• Texas Bowl
• Frisco Bowl

Betting on Pro Sports Teams in Texas

Once Texas sports betting becomes available, fans will be able to place wagers on all their favorite professional teams from the state. Here are some of the local franchises to keep in mind once TX sports betting is launched.

NFL Betting in Texas

Texas is one of a handful of states to boast more than one pro football team.

Dallas Cowboys Betting

With five Superbowl wins to their name, this team has a winning pedigree. Texas sportsbooks will surely back these local favorites when Texas sports betting launches.

Houston Texans Betting

A fairly new team who joined the league in 2002, the Texans already have a sizable local following. They had a great season in 2019, only losing in the playoffs to eventual Super Bowl champs the Kansas City Chiefs. Certainly, Texas sports betting apps will have exciting offers for Texans fans once the service goes live.

NBA Betting in Texas

Three NBA call the state home. Texas sports betting will have plenty of variety to offer for basketball once it's given the green light.

San Antonio Spurs Betting

One of the most successful NBA franchises of history, the Spurs have taken home five championship rings. Undoubtedly, Texas betting sites will be able to cater to Spurs fans once betting services become available.

Houston Rockets Betting

Rockets fans have a history to be proud of as a championship team. The Houston Rockets were the first team from the state to win a championship and the only Texas team to have won back-to-back championships.

Dallas Mavericks Betting

Taking home their first NBA title in 2011 with star Dirk Nowitzki leading the way, the Mavs are looking to build on that success. The Mavericks are sure to be a popular offering for future Texas sportsbooks.

NHL Betting in Texas

Hockey is growing in popularity in Texas, and the state has one professional team in the league. Texas online sports betting options are bound to feature these local teams once the industry is opened for business.

Dallas Stars Betting

After moving to Texas in ‘93, the Stars won the 1999 Stanley Cup to bring the trophy to Texas for the first time. This team will likely be a favorite in Texas sports betting.

MLB Betting in Texas

Texas has two professional baseball teams based in the state.

Houston Astros Betting

Texas' longest-running pro baseball team, the Astros have been a presence since 1962. They became the first World Series champions from Texas after winning the title in 2017. Texas sportsbooks will hopefully be offering fans a chance to bet on the Astros building on that success.

Texas Rangers Betting

Having relocated from the D.C. area in 1972, the Rangers have since established themselves in the Texas baseball scene. They reached their first World Series in 2010 and repeated that feat in 2011. Texas betting sites will have odds on the Rangers winning their first title once regulated betting goes live.

Other Texas Teams to Bet On

As well as this sizable selection of professional teams, Texas betting sites will also have plenty to offer for college sports.

Betting on College Football in Texas

The state has a host of college football teams active in the area, each with its own unique fan culture. Texas sports betting apps will be able to cater to these fans if sports betting is legalized.

Texas Longhorns

One of the top collegiate football teams in the state, the Longhorns managed a third place finish in the Big 12 conference in the 2019 season. Expect them to be a betting favorite once betting is available in the state.

Texas A&M Aggies

The fourth overall team in last year's SEC West conference, the fighting Aggies are a local favorite in Texas. Fans can wager on the Aggies if Texas sports betting becomes available.

Betting on College Basketball in Texas

As well as being one of the best states for college football, Texas also offers plenty of excitement when it comes to college basketball.

Texas Longhorns

Just like in football, the Longhorns stand out in basketball as well. The Longhorns managed to finish fourth overall in the Big 12 Conference in 2019. They are sure to be one of the favorites for future Texas sportsbooks.

Texas Online Sports Betting FAQ

Here's a quick rundown of some commonly asked questions about Texas sports betting.

Is sports betting legal in Texas?

As of 2020, Texas online sports betting is not legally permitted. There have been bills introduced to legalize sports betting in Texas, but no law has been passed as of yet.

The exception is daily fantasy sports. There are daily fantasy sports services available in the state as they are not legally classified as Texas sports betting apps.

Where can I bet on sports in Texas?

There are no legal Texas sportsbooks operations. You will need to wait for a change in the law for Texas sports betting to become available.

Can I bet from my phone in Texas?

There aren't any Texas sports betting apps available as of late 2020. Most providers do offer mobile service, but Texas sports betting is currently prohibited, leaving Texas sports betting apps unavailable.

Sports Betting Casinos In Texas

When will sports betting be legalized in Texas?

Sports Betting Legal In Texas

It is uncertain when sports betting will be legalized. There have been bills brought before the state Legislature, but as of late 2020 nothing has been signed into law.

Final Thoughts on Betting in Texas

Over the years, the sports betting industry has seen increasing growth throughout the country. However, laws prohibiting Texas online sports betting remain in place even as the industry takes off throughout the country. As a result, options for betting in Texas remain very limited.

There have been some signs of a change, with bills to legalize Texas sports betting reaching the state Legislature. However, these bills have not passed, leaving TX sports betting unavailable.

Online Sports Betting Texas

However, keep an eye on all the most likely Texas betting sites from our guide. These providers will be eager to move into the state once Texas sports betting is allowed. Until then, patience is the name of the game. Once the laws change, you'll be ready to get in on the action.