Bet Texas
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 Other states have seen rapid change since the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (or PAPSA) was repealed to pave the way for regulated sports betting.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. Texas Online Sportsbooks + Sports Betting Sites Federal laws have been changing drastically over the last few years and residents of and visitors to the Lone Star State are legally able to utilize Texas online sportsbooks. These sports betting sites are the only current option, as land-based venues do not exist in the state as of yet. Texas has laws in place against virtually all forms of gambling, with the notable exception being horse racing and dog racing. Penal code 47.01 defines a “bet” as “an agreement to win or lose something of value solely or partially by chance”.
Best Texas Bbq
They say everything is bigger in Texas and that saying certainly applies to the sports betting appetite of Texas residents. As the second largest State in the USA, with 29 million residents, it’s no wonder that Texas is considered a big market for sports betting in the United States.
Texas, like the majority of states in the US, does not allow sports betting within the State. This means if you’re a Texan who would like to bet on sports you will need to sign up an account to an offshore betting site that is licensed outside of the country.
On this page, I will outline the legality of betting on sports in Texas, as well as recommend my top rated offshore betting sites for Texas residents. I’ve also added some city specific pages, which you can find links to at the bottom of the page.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Texas?
I have a two part answer to this question. First, I should point out that it is not legal to run a sportsbook operation (accept bets) in the State of Texas. This is because Texas does not license or authorize any sports betting operations within the State. If you do find a sportsbook, online or offline, that claims to be licensed by and operated in Texas you can be confident that the site is illegal and you should not place bets through that operation.
Now on to the second part of this question. It is NOT illegal for Texas residents to place wagers through offshore betting sites. Offshore sportsbooks are licensed, authorized and regulated by a different jurisdiction, outside of Texas. By being regulated outside of Texas (and the USA) it is legal and safe for Texas residents to place wagers at these sites.
Best Sportsbooks for Texas Residents
Here are our two favorite offshore sportsbooks for Texas residents.
Both of these sites are very large and widely used across the United States. Bovada, our top rated site, actually only accepts American residents, which allows them to fully cater their offerings to the American public.
- Built for American bettors
- Wide variety of competitive betting lines
- Easy to navigate betting platform
- Accepts players worldwide
- Competitive betting lines
- Fast & easy deposits and withdrawals (including Bitcoin)
Offline Sports Betting in Texas
There is currently no offline sports betting allowed in Texas. If you do come across an offline bookie within the State you should know that they are operating illegally.
The only way to currently bet on sports in the State of Texas is through an offshore sportsbook like the ones I’ve outlined above.
Best Texas Colleges
Major Sports Teams in Texas
Texas is a sports hot bed with a huge variety of professional sports teams in the major cities. I’ve added a quick list of some of the major pro teams who call Texas home below. Click on the city name for more specific information about sports betting in that city.
- Austin FC
Best Texas State Parks
- Dallas Cowboys (NFL)
- Dallas Mavericks (NBA)
- Dallas Stars (NHL)
- FC Dallas (MLS)
- Texas Rangers (MLB)
Best Texas Chili
- None
Best Texas Vacations
- Houston Astros (MLB)
- Houston Dynamo (MLS)
- Houston Rockets (NBA)
- Houston Texans (NFL)
- San Antonio Spurs (NBA)
Horse Racing in Texas
It is legal to bet on horse races at the track in Texas. Below I’ve listed some of the major horse tracks currently operational within the State.
**You can also place wagers on races taking place at each of these tracks at either of the sportsbooks I recommend above.
Major Tracks
- Lone Star Park, Grand Prairie
- Sam Houston Race Park, Houston
- Retama Park, Selma