Online Sports Betting in Texas 2023 – Is Betting Legal in Texas?

Comparing Texas Online Sportsbooks

Every online sportsbook will offer different features including a sign-up bonus and more. This section will cover the different offers at each of our favorite offshore sportsbooks as well as give a quick rundown on the live betting and streaming capabilities.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Texas?

Betting at offshore sportsbooks is not against the law in Texas, but sportsbooks cannot legally operate in the state. In the meantime, you can legally and safely place bets at one of the offshore sportsbooks recommended on this page.

This could be changing soon as pressure continues to mount. Anytime there is this much money involved in a hot-button issue, the law is sure to be reconsidered. However, for the moment it remains illegal for a sportsbook to operate inside of Texas.

American bettors have relied on offshore gambling sites for years without issue, with Bovada being one of the most popular sites for Texans to bet on sports online.

Although sports betting is not yet permitted by local authorities, it is possible to do so through offshore sportsbooks, leaving sports betting in what’s known as a gray market.

Who can Legally Bet on Sports in Texas?

Currently, the only way for Texas residents to bet on sports is to use an offshore sportsbook. These TX offshore betting sites will accept American residents once they hit the age of 18. This means that you need to be at least 18 before you can sign up for an offshore sportsbook in Texas such as Bovada.

If Texas does move to a fully legal market in the future, it’s very likely that the minimum age will be at least 21 years old to place a sports bet.

How to Bet on Sports Online in Texas

It’s very easy to get started at a sportsbook in Texas today. Simply follow the steps listed below and you will be able to get your account opened in a matter of minutes.

1. Visit the website of your online sportsbook choice

For this example, we are using BetOnline.

2. Click on the ‘Join’ button

First, click ‘Join’ to take you to the registration page. From there, you need to fill in details such as your name, email and date of birth.

3. Fill in all your details and then finish your registration

You will then be able to explore the betting pages like this one while being logged in.

When will Betting be Legal in Texas?

Texas will likely not have legalized sports betting before the end of 2023. The Texas legislature only meets in odd-numbered years, so failure to legalize in 2021 resulted in a two-year delay. The Texas legislature may convene as early as 10 January, 2023 to consider sports betting in Texas.

Texas’ state legislature only meets twice a year. There have been efforts such as the Sports Betting Alliance pushing to get a sports betting bill on the November 2023 ballot. If passed, sports betting in Texas could potentially become legal as soon as 1 January, 2024.

However, that would mean if everything goes smoothly between now and that date. Thus, sports bettors should not expect a legal market anytime soon and will continue to need to use offshore sportsbooks.

The January 2023 Ballot to Legalize Sports Betting in Texas

Texas has just under 10% of the US population. This means that if sports betting became legalized, Texas could take in about $15 billion of the estimated $150 billion US gambling market. Apart from California, which is also considering legalizing sports betting, Texas would have by far the largest legal sports betting market in the United States.

This has not only piqued the interest of the world’s largest sportsbooks, but also that of Texas business leaders. Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, has already entered into a partnership with WinStar Casino in Oklahoma and would probably welcome the possibility  of a partnership with another sportsbook.

Sports and gambling stakeholders aside, billions of dollars could be at stake in a regulated Texas market, money that is already wagered through offshore sites or unregulated bookmakers. The financial opportunities alone could convince otherwise reluctant lawmakers that the monetary benefits outweigh their moral concerns.

It remains to be seen when – or if – this flood will occur. Moreover, if sports betting becomes legal in Texas, Texans will no longer have to travel to nearby states that have legal sports betting, generating tax revenue for other neighboring states.

Supporters & Opponents of the 2023 Ballot for Legal Sports Betting in Texas

There are many powerful players in the fight to get sports betting legalized in Texas. This includes plenty of people with deep pockets who are ready to spend serious money. Here is a quick overview of some of the supports and opponents of the current legalization effort that is taking place in Texas.

Supporters

The biggest supporters to a sports betting bill going through in Texas include many of the leading business leaders. This includes people like Dallas Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban. Business and sports leaders have teamed up to create something known as the Sports Betting Alliance.

This group is on the front lines in Texas, advocating for a legal market. It remains to be seen if their efforts will pay off but as more powerful people join the coalition, it feels like it’s only a matter of time.

Opponents

In terms of opponents, governor Greg Abbott has been firmly against legal sports betting ever since he took office. Texas does have anti-gambling sentiment in its constitution, something that other states do not. This means that it has taken much more convincing to change the opinion towards gambling in the state.

There are still many people who are staunchly against a legal sports betting market. However, Abbott seems to be slowly turning and that could be what is needed to get a bill over the finish line.

Previous Sports Betting Bills in Texas

There have been numerous sports betting bills in the past that have been introduced in Texas. Despite these attempts, none of them have been successful. Here’s a brief overview of the previous efforts.

2019

• Rep. Eddie Lucio introduced HB 1275 to regulate sports betting in Texas. It did not receive support and was opposed by the state’s legislature.

2021

• Texas Representative Harold Dutton introduced bill HB 1121 to legalize sports betting in Texas. It does not receive enough support and dies.
• Rep. Harold Dutton sponsored House Joint Resolution 68, which proposed a constitutional amendment empowering the legislature to legalize wagering on professional and collegiate sporting events in the state. The bill ultimately did not pass.
• SB 736, sponsored by Senator Juan Hinojosa, relates to the regulation of sports betting; requiring an occupational license; authorizing a fee; imposing a tax; creating criminal offenses; and decriminalizing sports betting. The bill failed to advance further.
• State Rep. Dan Huberty sponsored two bills, HB 2070 and HJR 97, to legalize sports betting and establish an online and in-person betting program. Both bills stalled in the Texas House and Senate before the end of the 2021 session.

2022

• Proponents of legalized sports betting in Texas fail to meet the deadline for including their measure on the ballot.

Tax on Sports Betting Winnings in Texas

Texans do not have to pay taxes on their sports winnings because the state does not currently allow sports betting. The only way to bet on sports currently in Texas if via an offshore sportsbook, where you don’t need to pay tax on winnings either.

However, people may have to pay taxes on their winnings from out-of-state gambling. If sports gambling were to be legalized, it’s likely that Texans would not have to pay state tax on winnings as there is no state income tax on individuals.

Payment Methods available at Texas Betting Sites

There are multiple different payment options available at TX sportsbooks. The more payment options offered, the better and sportsbooks that offer more than average deserve praise. Here are a few of the most popular payment methods you will find at Texas betting sites.

Crypto Betting Options

Crypto sports betting sites are something that has changed the world of online payments. Bitcoin and other crypto options have made it easier to send money online. This is a faster way to move money into your betting account compared to using the traditional banking system. Some sportsbooks will offer additional bonuses for using crypto.

eWallet Betting Options

eWallets are another option that people use to move money around online. PayPal is the dominant player in this space and the most popular but there are a few other options that you might be using. Currently, however, most offshore sportsbooks don’t accept a transfer from an eWallet.

Traditional Payment Methods

Finally, traditional payment methods such as using a credit card are still widely used in the online betting space. However, there can be higher fees associated with using one of these methods. Still, many people feel most comfortable using credit cards and will opt to pay the fees.

Best Betting Bonuses Available

Sports bettors in Texas can choose from a variety of generous bonuses & sports betting promo codes while engaging in Texas online sports betting. There are a few different types of bonuses that you will see most often at Texas sportsbooks. Here is a quick overview of the top three bonus types you will see.

Match Deposit Bonuses

A deposit match is when the sportsbook matches a percentage of your initial deposit into your sportsbook account. It’s quite self explanatory. For example, a 100% deposit match on a $100 deposit means that not only will you get the $100 you provided, but the sportsbook will also provide another $100. There is often a maximum value on this type of promotion with wagering requirements.

No Deposit Bonuses

A no deposit bonus is a bonus that requires no initial deposit and typically consists of free play or a free credit balance. Playing with a no deposit bonus code allows you to try out a gambling website without risking your own money. These are considered some of the best bonuses by many sports bettors because of the low commitment needed to redeem them.

Free Bets

Free bets are exactly as they sound. You place them and if they win, money is credited to your account. Usually, offshore sportsbooks offer promotions for free bets. You will find that this is one of the most popular promotions. One thing to note is that with the majority of free bets, the value of the free bet is not included in the winnings that are returned to you.

Popular Sports to Bet on in Texas

There are many professional sports teams in Texas and the sportsbooks will let you bet on all of them. The offshore sportsbooks listed in this guide all have plenty of sports available for you to bet on. Below we will explore how you can bet on the various professional sports teams in Texas and more.

NFL

Betting on the NFL is the most popular sports betting market in North America. With football ingrained in the Texas culture and way of life, there’s no doubt that the NFL would be one of the most popular sports for bettors in a legal Texas market.

We think that Bovada is currently the best choice for sports bettors that want to bet on the NFL. With two teams in Texas, sports bettors can place a variety of bets on their local squads including but limited to the moneyline, spread and more.

• Dallas Cowboys – The Cowboys have won eight NFC Championships and five Super Bowls, placing them first and third in the NFL history ranks, respectively.
• Houston Texans – The newest expansion team in the NFL, the Houston Texans, have played in the AFC South since 2002.

NBA

With three NBA teams in Texas, it’s no surprise that the sport is so popular. These franchises that call Texas home have been some of the NBA’s best over the past few decades.

For Texas sports bettors who want to bet on NBA games, Jazz Sports is a great option. The sportsbook has plenty of NBA betting markets and runs promotions where gamblers can earn free bets to use on NBA action.

• Dallas Mavericks – The Dallas Mavericks, led by their outspoken owner Mark Cuban, won their only title in 2011.
• Houston Rockets – The Rockets have won two championships in franchise history, coming back-to-back in 1994-95 under head coach Rudy Tomjanovich.
• San Antonio Spurs – The San Antonio Spurs have been the least flashy Texas basketball team over the years, but they have five championships to their credit, the last of which came in 2015.

MLB

Betting on the MLB clubs based in Texas is legal in Texas. It is possible to also bet on teams based in other states and even foreign baseball leagues. Live betting, spreads, teasers, parlays, futures and the traditional straight bet are available for MLB betting in Texas just as they are for other professional sports.

We recommend that you use Everygame for your MLB betting needs as the sportsbook does a great job at providing betting lines for the league.

• Houston Astros – The Astros moved to the American League in 2013 and won their only World Series four years later (2017).
• Texas Rangers – Although the Rangers reached the World Series twice in 2010-11, they failed to bring home a championship. Their last playoff appearance came in 2016.

NHL

While the NHL may not be as popular as some other professional sports leagues in Texas, it’s slowly growing. The Dallas Stars are the sole NHL team that calls Texas home and thus get a big spotlight. Many sports bettors enjoy betting on the NHL because of the high level of parity in the league.

If you’re looking to bet on the NHL, Bovada is a great option. The sportsbook is ranked number one by us for a reason and it has a great NHL section. This includes all the different bet types you could ever want and a great live betting tab.

• Dallas Stars – The peak of the Stars’ success came in the late 1990s, when the franchise won the Presidents’ Trophies twice and the Stanley Cup in 1999.

NCAA Football

There is nothing that goes together quite like Texas and college football. The sport enjoys a massive fanbase inside the state. College football stadiums in Texas dwarf professional stadiums in other states to accommodate the massive number of fans. Thus, it’s no secret that sports bettors also love to bet on the sport in Texas.

While the college football season isn’t too long, there are still plenty of opportunities for sports bettors to get some action down. Bovada once again is the best place to do that with its strong betting lines, great choice and selection, and wonderful interface.

• Texas Longhorns – Since their first season in 1893, the Longhorns have been dominant, winning 32 conference title and 4 National Championships.
• Texas A&M Aggies – The Aggies are the second most successful college football program from Texas, winning three national titles and 18 conference championships in their 127-year history.
• Texas Tech Red Raiders – Although the Red Raiders have not been as successful as their in-state rivals, the Longhorns, they have won 11 conference titles since their first season in 1925 and have a winning percentage of .552.
• TCU Horned Frogs – TCU football has been among the more successful Power 5 schools — though most of their postseason success came before joining the Big 12 — winning 18 conference titles and two National Championships (1935, 1938).
• Houston Cougars – The Cougars have won six division championships – four in Conference USA and two in the American Athletic Conference – and have participated in 14 bowl games.

NCAA Basketball

While college football gets a lot of the headlines and attention in Texas, college basketball is also super popular. There are a ton of high level college basketball programs in the state and they get to recruit from the deep pool of talent that grows inside Texas.

Some of the most significant programs in recent history include the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Baylor Bears, both teams that have made it to the finals of March Madness in recent history.

If you’re looking for a sportsbook for college hoops, BetOnline is a great option. The sportsbook has a wonderful college basketball section and hosts all the games that Texas residents would be interested in.

• Texas Longhorns – Founded in 1906, the Longhorns are among the 20 most successful teams of all time, winning 27 conference championships.
• Texas Tech Red Raiders – The Red Raiders won the Elite Eight for the first time in 2018 and went to the National Championship a year later.
• Baylor Bears – Baylor secured the Big 12 regular-season championship for the first time in 2021, capping a magical season with a win over Gonzaga in the National Championship Game.
• Houston Cougars – They won three straight conference championships from 2019-2021 and returned to the NCAA Tournament for the 22nd time in program history in 2021.
• Texas A&M Aggies – The dominant era of Texas A&M basketball lasted from 2006-11, when the Aggies reached six straight NCAA Tournaments.

Golf

Golf is another sport that sports bettors, including those in Texas, love. There are plenty of ways to bet on your favorite golf tournaments as you can pick the outright winner or go with any one of the other many betting markets.

BetOnline.ag offers a wonderful golf betting selection, including markets such as three-ball betting. Below we have listed some of the tournaments held in Texas that you can bet on.

• WGC-Dell Match Play – The WGC Match Play is a professional men’s golf tournament that has been held since 1999 and has been held at the Austin Country Club in Austin, Texas, USA, since 2016.
• Houston Open – Established in 1946, the Cadence Bank Houston Open is a professional golf tournament in Texas on the PGA Tour, played in November.
• Valero Texas Open – The Texas Open, also known as the Valero Texas Open for sponsorship reasons, is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour that was established in 1922 and is played near San Antonio, Texas.

Horse Racing

Horse racing has been a staple of Texas culture for decades and is one of the few legal forms of retail gambling in the state. Events include thoroughbred racing, quarter horse racing and harness racing. However, you can only place a bet if you’re at one of the three approved tracks.

You can place bets on the horses even if you can not make it to the tracks (which we have listed below) through an offshore sportsbook. You can bet on a variety of racetracks and races from around the country. Most of the top-rated sportsbooks we have reviewed accept bets on horse racing in Texas.

There is no better place to bet on horses than Jazz, where you will find the best betting options and the largest selection of races. It’s easy to navigate and get action down on horse races from all around.

• Lone Star Park
• Retama Park
• Sam Houston Race Park

DFS

Daily Fantasy Sports has taken off in popularity in recent years. The activity has captured the attention of millions across the United States and been a major factor in earning DraftKings and FanDuel the massive reputations that they have today.

You can play on the most popular daily fantasy sports websites in Texas, including DraftKings and FanDuel. Texas lawmakers distinguish DFS from organized sports betting on the premise that DFS is a pay-to-play game of skill.

• DraftKings – Offers DFS contests across virtually every imaginable major sport.
• FanDuel – Like DraftKings, FanDuel offers multi-million-dollar prize pools on DFS contests across numerous sports.
• PrizePicks – 25% Deposit Match Bonus up to $1000

Live Betting with Texas Sportsbooks

Live betting is becoming more and more popular with sports bettors across the country. The advancement of technology has made live betting much easier and resulted in more people gaining access to the fun activity. Many of these offshore sportsbooks will have robust live betting sections where you can pick from a variety of bets and betting markets.

We recommend Bovada for a great live betting experience. The platform moves very quickly and there is lot of selection in terms of the bets you can choose from. It’s also not very cramped as the live betting section at some sportsbooks can become messy.

How Texas Sports Betting Compares to its Neighboring States

Despite the fact that sports betting will not be coming to Texas anytime soon, it does seem as if there is some reason for optimism. Sports betting is a growing industry, and more and more states are legalizing it.

The neighboring states around Texas are at different stages when it comes to legal sports betting. Here is a quick overview:

Louisiana

Louisiana does have a fully legal sports betting market. This includes the ability to place bets at physical casinos in-person as well as through a mobile device. This is a great example for Texas to follow. Louisiana reported a total handle of over $250 million for October 2022.

Oklahoma

In a similar fashion to Texas, there has not been a ton of progress on the advancement of legal sports betting in Oklahoma. There is still ample use of offshore sportsbooks but pushes to enact a fully green market have fallen well short of the support level needed. Of all the states neighboring Texas, Oklahoma seems to be in the most similar situation when it comes to legalizing sports betting – it could take a while.

Arkansas

Arkansas has made great strides in the gambling industry since it opened the state’s first retail casino in 2019. Currently, Arkansas has three casinos where bets can be placed in person or online, and mobile betting has been available to residents and visitors alike since 7 March 2022. This means that the state is much more friendly than Texas when it comes to sports betting.

New Mexico

Although similar legislation to legalize sports betting has not been formally proposed in New Mexico as it has in Texas, many experts believe it is likely to happen in the near future given the popularity of sports betting. There are tribal casinos that accept sports betting in New Mexico, but a fully legal market with online capabilities seems far off.

The Best Betting Site for Texas

Bovada has been a household name in both sports betting and offshore online casinos for a number of years. They have established themselves as a top sportsbook for US bettors, offering a huge selection of odds on North American sports as well as other sports played around the globe. You’ll find hundreds of betting options, specials and props to take advantage of, as well as some great bonuses.

If you want to get started with sports betting in Texas, you can open an account with this Texas online sports betting site. It offers great banking flexibility, a great mobile experience and excellent customer service and support. The quality of the odds is also very competitive, so you can always count on excellent odds on any professional sport – especially the NHL and MLB.

  This article was written for Business 2 Community by Noah Strang.
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Author: Noah Strang

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Noah is a sports-focused freelance writer with years of experience. In terms of iGaming experience, he's worked with a bunch of the top brands around the world including Ontario Bets and Covers. He graduated from McGill University in Montreal, Canada where he started his sports writing career. …

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