Texas Betting Sites How To Sports Bet in TX
The best Texas betting sites are offshore brands like BetUS, Bovada, and Everygame—established platforms with solid reputations. They let Lone Star State bettors shop lines, explore wide betting markets, and claim big bonuses while lawmakers continue to stall regulation.
Big-name regulated sportsbooks still can’t operate in Texas, and that’s unlikely to change soon. This guide to Texas online sportsbooks covers today’s best options. We’ll walk through the legal status, spotlight key betting events, and cover legal horse racing—the state’s primary exception to a near-total gambling ban.
Texas Betting Availability – Quick Overview
Recommended Betting Sites Available in Texas
- BetUS — Best Online Sportsbook
- Bovada — Best Betting Variety
- Everygame — Best Live Betting Platform
- BetNow — Best Horse Racebook
- MyBookie — Best Option for Beginners
- BetOnline — Best Option for Props Betting
- SportsBetting.ag — Best Option for Banking Methods
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BetUS – Best Online Sportsbook
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Bovada – Best Betting Variety
Bovada stands out for sheer variety. From major sports to offbeat props—like politics, entertainment, even the next Pope—there’s always something to bet on. You’ll find live lottery-style games, camel racing, and virtual sports events running 24/7. Whether it’s Austin FC vs FC Dallas, Greg Abbott’s presidential odds, or a Nobel nod for Cormac McCarthy, Bovada makes betting fun, unpredictable, and surprisingly deep. With decades in the game, it’s a trusted pick for bettors who love having options.
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Everygame — Best Live Betting Platform
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BetNow – Best Horse Racebook
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MyBookie — Best Option for Beginners and Novices
When Texas teams heat up—new bettors are ready to rush in. MyBookie is your top choice as a newbie ready to make your first wager. The Help Center is packed with videos and guides on everything from deposits to payouts, and it’s easy to access right from the homepage—no account needed. With 11 clear categories, plus email support for guests and live chat for members, MyBookie makes learning to bet as easy as ordering brisket at a barbecue joint.
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BetOnline — Best Sportsbook for Props Betting
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SportsBetting.ag — Best Payout and Deposit Options
Comparing the Best Texas Betting Sites
| Casinos | | | | | | |
| Bonus | 100% up to $1,000 | 50% up to $250 | 125% up to $2,625 | 150% up to $225 | 50% up to $1,000 | 50% up to $250 |
| Number of Deposit Methods | 10 | 23 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 22 |
| Number of Withdrawal Methods | 9 | 20 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 20 |
| Live Betting | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Poker | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Horse Racing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Read Review | Full Review | Full Review | Full Review | Full Review | Full Review | Full Review |
| Sign Up | Play Now | Play Now | Play Now | Play Now | Play Now | Play Now |
How We Choose the Best Online Texas Sportsbooks
Before making recommendations, our experts evaluate each online sportsbook from the perspective of Texas players to ensure they meet our strict standards. We check for:
- Availability in Texas
- Safety & Security
- Payment Options
- Texas Sport & Event Coverage
- Competitive Odds & Betting Lines
- Customer Support
- Mobile Compatibility & Experience
Availability in Texas
Can you access the sportsbook in Texas?
Many online sportsbooks have geographic restrictions on specific states, but if you stick with our list of recommended sportsbooks for Texans, you’ll be able to bet with ease from El Paso to Houston and Amarillo to Brownsville.
Safety & Security
Are your deposits and personal information protected?
Online sportsbooks can’t be licensed in Texas, so we look for online sportsbooks licensed by reputable authorities internationally before recommending them to Texans. These sites also need to meet the global standard for encryption protocols (TLS) and have user account safety policies (phone number, identity verification, two-factor authentication) in place.
Payment Options
Are there a variety of secure options for deposits and withdrawals?
Like other Americans, Texans have more banking options than ever — especially given the explosion of cryptocurrencies in the past five years. This reality should be reflected by cashiers at the online sportsbooks for bettors in TX. We also assess:
- Compatibility with popular digital wallets and electronic transfer systems Texans rely on (like Cash App or PayPal)
- Minimum/maximum deposit and withdrawal requirements
- Processing times
- Processing fees
Texas Sports Coverage
Is there a diverse range of sports and leagues to bet on?
Professional teams and high-performance college teams have a massive presence in Texas sport. No matter the season, you’ll find a Lone Star team to throw your bets behind — depending on the coverage offered by your chosen sportsbook, that is.
We want to send you to a sportsbook where you can bet on Austin-based Complexity’s Counter-Strike team as easily as the Mavs.
Competitive Odds & Betting Lines
Is the sportsbook using accurate data, precise analysis and well-rounded expertise?
A great sportsbook will have fair and competitive odds on par with the rest of the industry. We look at betting lines and the value they offer. This is especially true when it comes to the more popular Texas betting events like NASCAR’s AAA Texas 500.
We also consider vig in comparison with the industry standard (2% on the low end, 10% on the high end).
Customer Support
Is the customer service comprehensive, well-informed, and accessible?
With nearly 250,000 residents working in 600+ call centers, there’s no doubt Texans know approachable and professional customer service when they run into it. Sportsbooks we recommend must have excellent customer support options (24/7 live chat, email, phone, FAQs, and tutorial articles or videos) as well as courteous, well-informed, and responsive agents. Southern hospitality, anyone?
Mobile Compatibility
Is the mobile sportsbook compatible and consistent across devices?
With some devastating losses and incredible championships under their belts, Texas sports fans know things can change on a dime. Imagine if Justin Verlander had landed on the injury list during the Astros’ historic finals run in the 2017 World Series!
Bettors need to be able to modify their wagers down to the wire — and on the fly. Instant play, mobile sportsbooks that match or even outperform the desktop version are the gold standard we look for.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas?
Sports betting is not legal under Texas law. It is currently under the umbrella of Article 3, Section 47 of the Texas Constitution, which states that “all forms of betting are prohibited.”
There has been growing interest and significant campaigning by lobbyists, professional sports teams, and major casino brands for regulated Texas sports betting. Despite that, passing any state-level laws to legalize it is a massive challenge. Any change to betting laws in Texas requires a constitutional amendment. In Texas, constitutional amendments need approval from two-thirds of the state legislature (aka bipartisan support in the House of Representatives and Senate) as well as a majority vote in a statewide referendum.
This is why the online sportsbooks we recommend at the Sports Geek are regulated and licensed out-of-state by international gaming bodies. That way, as a Texan, you are free to bet on your favorite team or sporting event.
Sports Betting Legislation in Texas
On May 14, 2018, a federal-level sports betting ban was overturned by US Supreme Court, putting sports betting legislation and regulation back in state hands. Since then, many bills have been proposed by Texas lawmakers to address sports betting (online, retail, or both) in the state — all have failed to make it through the state house or senate or were simply DOA. (HB 1121, SB 1980, HB 3043, HB 2303 and HB 1275, to name a few.)
As of May 2023, the most promising sports betting bills remaining in circulation are:
- HB 1942: Proposes legal mobile sports betting with a licensing fee of $500,000 and a tax rate of 10% on revenue. (Heard and approved by the House State Affairs Committee.)
- HJR 102: Proposes a constitutional amendment to legalize wagering on sports events. (Heard and approved by the House State Affairs Committee.)
- SJR 17: Proposes a public vote on expanding retail betting to allow four resorts to develop casinos with sportsbooks. (Referred to the House State Affairs Committee.)
Horse Racing Legislation in Texas
Retail horse racebooks, pari-mutuel wagering on live horse races, race simulcasting, and historical racing machines (HRMs) are legal and regulated in Texas.
The Texas Racing Act was passed in 1986, and a subsequent state referendum in 1987 approved pari-mutuel wagering on races. The Act lays out the framework for horse races and the Texas Racing Commission (TRC), which regulates the industry. The act was last amended in 2019, one result of which was to authorize the use of HRMs at licensed tracks. HRMs allow bettors to wager on previous races that have been electronically anonymized.
Popular Texas race tracks include:
Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie — Live racing season April–July and September–November
Sam Houston Race Park in Houston — Live racing season January–April
Retama Park in Selma — Live racing season May–October
Gillespie County Fairgrounds — Live racing over four weekends in July and August
Online Racebooks in Texas
Online racebooks are not addressed by the Texas Racing Act, meaning there are no legal online racebooks licensed in Texas. However, the horse race betting sites we recommend are licensed and regulated by international gaming bodies and are available to Texas-based bettors.
At these sites, bettors will find international races year round as well as the seasonal races hosted at Texas tracks.
The Future of Sports Betting in Texas
Most experts consider the prospect of Texas legalizing sports betting in 2024 a long shot. The most likely scenario will see committee-approved bills HB 1942 and HJR 102 fail in the Senate.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who leads the Senate, has been steadfast in defending the Texas GOP’s opposition on betting legislation. This is despite significant time and money spent by lobby groups like the Texas Sports Betting Alliance to meet a goal of seeing sports betting on a public ballot by November 2023.
Currently, according to Eilers & Krerjcik Gaming (EKG), a US-based gaming research firm, the best-case scenario for legal Texas sports betting is now 2025.
Texas Sports Betting Timeline
Citizens and lobby groups in Texas have been pushing for sports betting legalization for years. Here’s a look at the more recent history of sports betting legislation.
Popular Texas Sports Teams to Bet On
Across the biggest North American pro leagues (NHL, NFL, MLB, and NBA) Texas fields eight teams each year. This is not to mention Texas-based teams playing in smaller national pro leagues (AHL, NLL, WNBA), or popular NCAA teams. Here’s a breakdown of popular Texas sports teams by league to get you started.
Texas NFL Teams
- Dallas Cowboys
- Houston Texans
Find the best football betting sites with our guide to online NFL betting sites.
Texas NBA and WNBA Teams
- Dallas Mavericks
- Houston Rockets
- San Antonio Spurs
- Dallas Wings
Find the best basketball betting sites with our guide to WNBA betting and NBA betting sites.
Texas MLB Teams
- Houston Astros
- Texas Rangers
Find the top baseball sportsbooks with our MLB betting sites guide.
Texas NHL Teams
- Dallas Stars
Wager on your favorite NHL teams at the best NHL betting sportsbooks.
MLS Soccer in Texas
- Houston Dynamo
- Austin FC
Find the perfect soccer betting sites that we recommend.
Texas NCAA Teams
- Texas Longhorns
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
- Baylor Bears
- TCU Horned Frogs
- SMU Mustangs
Refine your picks with our NCAA football and NCAA basketball betting guides.
Online Sports Betting for Texans by Location
Seeing as Texas is the second-largest state in the US by both size and population, we’ve narrowed down some recommendations based on regional interest.
Houston — BetNow
Often described as Texas’s most diverse city, we’re recommending BetNow for Houston residents looking for international leagues to wager on — from Polish basketball to South Korean baseball to Brazilian soccer.
Dallas — Bovada
While Dallas is home to teams like the Mavericks (NBA), Cowboys (NFL), Rangers (MLB), and Stars (NHL), it’s also a major hub for professional e-sports with teams and organizations like the Fuel, Empire, Team Envy and Complexity based there. Our rec for Bovada is based on its e-sports offerings of 10 different games and coverage of major tournaments.
San Antonio — BetUS
With 64% of residents identifying as Hispanic, for San Antonio, we’d recommend BetUS for its variety of Latin American and European Spanish leagues with betting lines — particularly for soccer. Bettors will find multiple leagues from Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia.
Austin — Bovada
Sports bettors can Keep Austin Weird with a variety of entertainment, political, and special wagering events at Bovada. Sports bettors looking for something a little different can bet on the outcome of Eurovision, Kim Kardashian’s next boyfriend, and gas prices.
Retail Sports Betting in Texas
If you’re in Texas and looking to enjoy the novelty of an in-person sportsbook, you’ll have to travel out of state. There are a few options in neighboring states, as well as in nearby towns across the border with Mexico.
Sports Betting in Neighboring States
For those in northern Texas, three of Texas’ four neighbor-states have licensed land-based sportsbooks at casinos and racetracks:
Louisiana
Arkansas
New Mexico
Sports Betting in Mexico
If you’re in southern Texas, you might find it easier to travel across the US-Mexico border. If you don’t mind a road trip, you’ll be able to conduct your sports betting there at several reputable retail brands:
- Casino Caliente in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua — 30 minutes from El Paso, TX
- PlayCity in Monterrey, Nuevo León — 2h 45 minutes from Laredo, TX
- Codere in Monterrey, Nuevo León — 2h 45 minutes from Laredo, TX
Other Ways to Wager in Texas
Whether you enjoy, Daily Fantasy or poker games we have the perfect online recommendations for you to safely embark on your favorite gaming pastimes. Plus, we have a dedicated guide to help you find the very best online casinos in Texas.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
Native American Casinos
Poker Rooms
Popular Betting Events in Texas
As you know, sports are wildly popular in the Lone Star State, and it plays host to a number of different sporting events in which you can make a bet. Here are a few events you should keep an eye out for in your favorite online sports betting books.
NCAA Tournament
The NCAA Tournament, or March Madness as it is better known as, was well represented by the state of Texas in 2023. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Baylor, Houston, Texas A&M, and Texas Christian all carried the Lone Star State flag high. The Cougars even earned a #1 seed in the Midwest Region. The city of Houston will also host the Final Four at NRG Stadium, which is the home of the NFL’s Houston Texans. Texans all over the state should be preparing their March Madness betting strategy for next year.
NASCAR Cup Series
The NASCAR Cup series currently features two races in Texas if you want to do some NASCAR betting.
- The Texas Grand Prix, called the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix in 2023, is a road course race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. It debuted in May of 2021, and has since moved to late March. It is one of five road-course races on the NASCAR schedule.
- Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400. Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth hosts the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 — the first race for the Round of 12 in the playoffs in September. Since 1997, the Texas Motor Speedway has also been hosting races in the Cup series and is generally known as one of the best tracks in NASCAR because of its high speeds. Texas Motor Speedway was the site of the first Cup win for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2000.
PGA and LPGA Tours
Texans love golf, and golf betting. The PGA Tour has long been associated with Texas and of course, the great Byron Nelson hailed from the Lone Star State. Jordan Spieth is born and raised in Texas, while Fred Couples went to the University of Houston (where his roommate was great CBS commentator Jim Nantz), and Scottie Scheffler went to the University of Texas (as did Spieth), which is one of the best university golf programs in the United States.
- The AT&T Byron Nelson is played just outside of Dallas and has been since 1944. It was also the first golf tournament to be named after a player, and is still only one of two tournaments, along with the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
- The Houston Open has been played in Texas since 1946, and it used to be the tournament played the week before The Masters.
- The WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play features 64 players playing match play, similar to the NCAA Tournament’s March Madness. However, 2023 will be the final time it is played altogether.
- The Valero Texas Open took over for the Houston Open in that it is a week before the Masters, and as it was established in 1922, it is the third-oldest tournament on the PGA Tour, and the longest to be played in the same city.
- The Charles Schwab Challenge was first played in 1946, and Colonial Country Club is consistently called one of the top courses on the PGA Tour.
- The LPGA also heads to Texas as the Chevron Championship is one of their five annual major championships, and The Volunteers of America Classic is played in the state.
Texas e-Sports
Texas has a major presence in e-sports, with several active professional organizations and teams that compete nationally and internationally. The state is also home to the largest e-sports stadium in the US, Esports Stadium Arlington, which is 100,000 square feet with seating for up to 2,500 spectators.
DreamHack is a travelling gaming festival that stops in Texas annually. The 2023 festival took place in June at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas and featured a tournament for CounterStrike, the Collegiate Rocket League Championships and a Halo Championship Series invitational (among others).
Professional Texas e-sports organizations like the Dallas Fuel, OpTic, Envy Gaming, Mavs Gaming, and Complexity spend a lot of time out-of-state as well, competing in events like the e-Sports Championship Series for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (which has been hosted in Texas before).
Whether the teams are competing at home or abroad, the benefit of online sportsbooks will be tracking their progress for bettors. Bovada is a great choice if you follow the Houston Outlaws, for instance.
Most Popular Teams to Bet on in Texas
Data we’ve been able to collect through popular sportsbook Bovada shows that Texans don’t always want to root for the home team — or bet on them at least. Here are a few of bettors’ favorite pro teams to wager on:
NFL Teams
Dallas Cowboys
Kansas City Chiefs
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buffalo Bills
Green Bay Packers
NBA Teams
Dallas Mavericks
Milwaukee Bucks
Golden State Warriors
Boston Celtics
LA Lakers
Banking Options at Texas Sports Betting Sites
We confirm two things about an online sportsbook’s banking methods before we consider recommending it to Texans. These are basic requirements that are the consumer standard for any online transaction in any state:
- Are there are a variety of payment options available for deposits and withdrawals?
- Are those options secure?
Minimal fees and short processing times are additional considerations. User preference will make the difference in some instances — some might prefer the anonymity of a crypto exchange where others prefer the familiarity of using a check — but the options should be there either way.
Some of the more popular banking options for Texans that online sportsbooks offer are:
Visa
American Express
MasterCard
MoneyGram
Bitcoin
Check
Note that online sportsbooks do not offer credit options for payouts.
How To Bet on Sports in Texas
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Select an online sportsbook that we’ve recommended for Texans. If you’re not sure what to pick, BetUS is an excellent all-around choice.
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Click the “Sign Up” or “Join” button on the sportsbook landing page. On a desktop view, this is typically located in the top-right corner of the page.
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Follow the prompts and enter required information. This might include name, address, an original username, strong password, email address, and phone number. You may have to check a box that says you agree to the terms and conditions.
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Verify your account via email or text. Some sportsbooks will also allow you to enable ongoing two-factor authentication (2FA) from your account settings.
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Log in with your confirmed username and password.
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Identify your preferred welcome bonus on the promotions and bonuses page. Be sure to select a welcome bonus that makes sense for your bankroll (e.g., many online sportsbooks have specific crypto offers).
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Follow a link from the promotions page or navigate to the cashier to redeem your chosen bonus and make a deposit. You’re ready to make your first wager!
Texas Sports Betting News
Texas Sports Betting Sources
Learn more about Texas sportsbook laws from these cited sources:
Responsible Betting in Texas
We recommend sportsbooks available in Texas so bettors in the Lone Star State have safe options to enjoy wagering responsibly. We encourage all bettors to recognize the signs of problem and develop habits that promote responsible sports betting.
If you aren’t having fun or feel a loss of control over your bankroll, it’s time to take a break. The following resources are available to Texans seeking help:
Texas Lottery Commission
Resources
The National Council on Problem Gambling
Online Resources
Hotline: 1-800-522-4700
Email: ncpg@ncpgambling.org
Texas Gamblers’ Anonymous
Find a Meeting
National Hotline: 1-855-2-CALL-GA
Austin: 1-512-860-2958
Dallas: 1-214-890-0005
Fort Worth: 1-817-371-0624
Houston: 1-855-442-7105
San Antonio: 1-210-705-4429
Gam-Anon Texas
Find a Meeting
Sports Betting Texas FAQs
No, there are no retail sportsbooks in Texas.
Yes, online sportsbooks are available in Texas through international providers. The sportsbooks we recommend are licensed by international commissions and accept Texas bettors.
Sports betting will not be legalized in Texas in 2023. Top research firm EKG estimates 2025 as the best case scenario.
MyBookie and BetUS can be used anywhere in the United States. Bovada has certain restrictions in place that prevent users from accessing the site from New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland, and Nevada. You can always do a quick search online to see if your sportsbook will be available in whatever state you’re traveling to.
Currently, the top three best Texas betting sites are Bovada and BetUS. These three sites have held the top spots for some time. The design and layout of these top three betting sites make Texas sports betting easy and enjoyable.
No, Texas residents cannot use DraftKings for sports bets. You can sign up and view odds, but if you live in Texas you cannot wager at DraftKings.
No, FanDuel is not legal to use in Texas at this time.
Yes, MyBookie is a sportsbook that permits online betting in Texas.
Yes, there are several casinos within Mexico that take sports bets. As we’re not as up to speed on the Mexican sports betting market, we do recommend calling first to get details about what type of action the book is taking. Some of the more popular Mexican sportsbooks on the border include Casino Petrolero, Casino Intercontinental, Casino Nacional SCP de CV, and Juega Y Juega.
Sports betting winnings of more than $600 are subject to US federal income tax and must be reported.
