Where To Bet On Sports In Texas In 2026

There are many legal Texas sports betting sites available in 2026, with Bovada and BetOnline being two of the best options. These sportsbooks offer odds and props for professional and collegiate sporting events. Any of the Texas sports betting apps reviewed on this page are trusted for real money gambling from anywhere in the state.

Use this page to find out what sports betting sites that accept Texas residents offer the biggest bonuses, fastest withdrawals, easiest deposits, and more. Also, we break down what sportsbooks offer the best odds and props for the Texas Longhorns football program for 2026.

• Bet on college football player props, game lines, futures, and more at Bovada + BetOnline.
• Texas has not yet regulated sports betting at the local level but offshore books are legal in the state.

Best Legal Texas Sports Betting Apps And Sites

Is Sports Betting Legal In Texas?

Offshore sportsbooks accept Texas residents but the state has not yet approved locally regulated sportsbook apps operating from within. This means that sportsbook apps like DraftKings and FanDuel are not available in the Lone Star State but residents of Texas can use trusted sports betting sites like Bovada that are regulated and licensed overseas. Regulated sports betting cannot launch until 2027 at the earliest in the state.

What Is the Sports Betting Age In Texas?

Because the market is not regulated locally, the legal age to bet on sports is not set by the state. Instead, the internationally regulated sites that accept Texas residents get to set the betting age and anyone over 18 can legally bet on sports with these sites. Other 18 and up Texas sports betting sites include BetOnline and MyBookie.

Is Bovada Legal In Texas?

Yes, Bovada is legal in Texas and one of the few legal sports betting sites that accept Texas players. As there are no Texas-regulated gambling sites, this leaves Bovada as the best way to bet on sports online in Texas. With no Texas laws battling this issue, there are also no federal laws saying using Bovada can’t happen. From Bovada, no terms and conditions restrict players from Texas using their site. This leaves Bovada as a safe and legal sportsbook in Texas.

How To Sign Up For A Legal Sports Betting Account In Texas

1. Visit Bovada or other legal online sports betting sites that accept Texas residents
2. Fill out personal info (name, zip code, DOB, email) and verify account
3. Choose a Texas sportsbook bonus (Bovada offers a 75% crypto match up to $750)
4. Choose deposit method (BTC, VISA, Amex, PayPal amongst top accepted options)
5. Confirm your first deposit and start betting on Texas Football, the Mavericks, Astros, and more

Are There Any Sportsbooks In Houston?

Houston is not home to any land-based sportsbooks but this does not stop players from betting real money. Many online sports betting sites for Houston players are fully available. Also, there are many land-based sportsbooks in nearby states with legal sports betting. Louisiana is the closest sports betting state for players in Houston. There are four sportsbooks in Lake Charles, LA. It takes less than three hours to drive from Houston to Lake Charles. We recommend anyone looking for legal Houston sportsbooks to check out Golden Nugget Lake Charles in Louisiana.

Are There Any Sportsbooks In Dallas?

There are no land-based sportsbooks in Dallas because the state has not regulated sports betting at the local level. This leads many Dallas residents to bet on college and professional Texas sports online through Bovada or other internationally regulated sportsbooks. If you are looking to play in person, Louisiana has a handful of books and there are some within a few hours of Dallas. Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino in Shreveport has a sportsbook powered by FanDuel and is less than a three-hour drive away. As one of the best sportsbooks for Dallas residents, they offer new players a risk-free bet up to $1,000.

Are There Any Sportsbooks In Austin?

While retail sports betting is not available in Austin, there are still many options for residents to place wagers online in 2026. Our top recommended Austin sports betting sites (Bovada & BetOnline) accept players from the city and offer college and professional sports betting. Whether you want to bet on the Texas Longhorns to win the 2026-27 CFP, or wager on Austin FC game lines, these sportsbooks have you covered.

Current Legislative Push and Challenges

Given that the Texas Legislature convenes only in odd-numbered years, 2025 presents a renewed opportunity to advance the issue after previous efforts stalled. These efforts follow momentum gained in 2023 when House Bill 1942 (HB 1942) and House Joint Resolution 102 (HJR 102) cleared the Texas House but were ultimately blocked in the Senate by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. Patrick, a longstanding opponent of gambling expansion, refused to bring the measures to a vote, citing a lack of support among Republican senators.

• Since sports betting legalization in Texas requires a constitutional amendment, it must secure a two-thirds majority in both the House (100 votes) and Senate (21 votes) before reaching the ballot for voter approval.

Will Texas Pass Sports Betting?

The proposed legislation has strong backing from the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Astros, as well as betting operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel. Governor Greg Abbott has recently expressed a more open stance on sports betting too, signaling a shift in the traditionally restrictive approach to gambling in Texas. Public opinion also appears favorable, with polls showing that over 60% of Texans support legalizing sports betting.

Past Texas Bills Related To Sports Betting

Endorsements For Legal Sports Betting In Texas

Mark Cuban:

“I am for legalizing all betting.”

Jerry Jones:

“I certainly know that gambling as it pertains to our games is here. Frankly, it’s been here. Yes, I do see gambling being a common thing. The handwriting is on the wall. Gambling has been here a long time.”

Charlotte Jones:

“Legalized sports betting would regulate the industry and generate hundreds of millions of dollars of new revenue for the state which will help fund critical programs without raising taxes.”

Greg Abbott:

“I don’t have a problem with online sports betting. The reality is that I’d be shocked if there were not some Texans that do it already.”

Live Betting In Texas

Live betting lets you wager on all sorts of props and lines related to teams in Texas. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for Longhorns live odds and Aggies in game bets. If those games are happening, you’ll explore a whole world for live betting Texas sports teams. This lets you hedge and double down on your pregame bets on the Cowboys, Texans and other teams!

• Betting on spreads, moneylines, props and O/Us as they are adjusted due to in-game events.
• Betting on the next events to occur in the game, such as who will score the next touchdown.

How Do I Bet Live In Texas?

All you have to do is visit an online sportsbook, and select the live sports betting option from their menu. This will look different at different sportsbooks, so here are examples from Bovada and BetOnline, respectively, with the live betting button highlighted.

Bovada

BetOnline

Can I Bet Real Money On Sports In Texas?

Whether you want to wager on the Mavericks, Astros, Thunder, Cowboys, Longhorns, or other sports teams/players, there are many real money Texas betting sites available. Even though the sportsbook market is not regulated locally, there are internationally regulated sportsbooks that accept and pay out real money via credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Bitcoin, bank transfers, and so many other deposit methods. It is 100% safe and secure for Texas residents to put money in and withdraw from these real money betting sites in 2026.

Mobile Sports Betting Apps In Texas

There are many legal mobile sports betting sites available to residents of Texas for real money. Sportsbook apps like DraftKings and FanDuel do not have licenses to operate and accept Texas residents but many internationally regulated betting sites are permitted to do so. Bovada, BetOnline, and Xbet are three of our favorite mobile Texas betting sites and they can all be used to bet from any iPhone, Android, or Google phone. Instead of taking up the space to use these sites, TX residents can use them from any internet browser on their devices.

• Samsung Galaxy
• Microsoft Surface
• Apple iPhone
• Motorola 5G
• Google Pixel
• Samsung Flip Z
• Huawei
• And More!

 

Best Texas Banks For International Transactions

Depositing into legal Texas gambling sites requires international transactions. This is for the deposit methods that are not crypto or a person-2-person service. There are specific banks in Texas that allow these types of transactions. This helps make bank transfers or sportsbook credit card deposits manageable in Texas. With their help, you’ll be able to fund your account quickly to bet on Texas sporting events.

Best Texas Banks For International Wire Transfers

• Texas Capital Bank – Allows for wire transfers to be sent and received by international markets. Funds can be sent in US or international currencies.
• BTH Bank – This Texas bank offers same-day electronic wire transfers to domestic or international receivers. BTH also allows the funds to be sent in the form of US or international currencies.

Can I Use Western Union For Legal Texas Sports Betting?

Western Union is a secure international money transfer service. Using Western Union for sports wagering Texas is still possible. Usually, you’ll have to talk to a customer service rep at the sportsbook you choose. They will walk you through the steps to get Western Union into your sportsbook account.

What Texas Sports Teams Can I Bet On?

All four major leagues in the US have a sports team in Texas. In fact, some leagues even have multiple sports teams. Not only can you bet on sports in Texas at the professional level but these sites shine when it comes to betting on college sports. There are plenty of legal CFP betting sites available in Texas. This allows you to wager on the Longhorns to win it all every year. But, sportsbooks also have odds on the Dallas Baptist Patriots and more. Keep in mind that betting sites TX have bets available for teams all over the world.

Is It Legal To Bet On College Football In Texas?

Yes, it is fully legal to bet on college football in Texas, with many online sportsbooks like Bovada accepting players for the 2026-27 season. These sports betting sites do not have any college betting restrictions, offering player props, CFP futures, live odds, and more. Bet on the Texas Longhorns to win the National Championship or for Arch Manning to win the Heisman Trophy.

Bet On College Football In Texas

NFL Sports Gambling Sites In Texas

There are many legal NFL betting sites in Texas, with Bovada being our favorite for player props, game lines, and futures. Whether you want to bet on Dak Prescott’s passing yards or CJ Stroud to win regular season MVP, Texas NFL sportsbooks have you covered. NFL betting is available from Bovada or the other sportsbooks we recommend from your mobile device or computer. There are no apps you have to download when gambling at these legal Texas sports betting sites.

 

Betting On The MLB In Texas

All of the best Texas sportsbook apps and sites offer MLB betting odds. When using legal MLB sportsbooks like Bovada or BetOnline in Texas, odds will be available for every game and nearly every player in the state. Naturally, those odds are significant for Texans looking to bet on local teams like the Astros or Rangers. The same general rules apply at MLB betting sites in TX as any other sports betting platform, players must be 18+, betting real money, and have funds in their account.

Betting On The NBA In Texas

The action available at the best NBA betting sites in Texas is constantly expanding. There are player props available for every game, betting lines available for each matchup, and futures available year-round when using sportsbook apps and sites like Bovada. In Texas specifically, the three most bet on NBA teams are the Spurs, Mavericks, and Rockets. Whether people want to bet on Victor Wembanyama for the Spurs, Kevin Durant for the Rockets, or Cooper Flagg on the Mavs, each NBA team has a statistical superstar that is fun to bet on.

Horse Race Betting In Texas

Betting on horse races in Texas is the oldest form of gambling. Also called pari-mutuel wagering, Texas legalized it in 1933. While TVG and Twin Spires are available, shop horse racing odds with Bovada too. This ensures you get the best payout no matter what Texas horse race you are betting on. Keep in mind, legal Texas betting sites like Bovada will have races from all over the world.

Latest News

Legal Texas Sports Betting FAQs

Is Online Sports Betting Safe In Texas?

Online sports betting in Texas is safe so long as you go through the proper channels. Since there are no sportsbooks in Texas, using an online sportsbook in Texas is the way to bet. But, make sure the site has a license like the ones on our page. A safe sportsbook in Texas is Bovada, which always pays out their winnings. They also have security standards that keep your information safe.

Will Sports Betting In Texas Ever Be Legal?

Betting on sports in Texas is legal already. Using an online sportsbook that accepts Texas players is the way to go about it. Just make sure you aren’t using a local bookie in Texas. This method is not approved in Texas. Likewise, don’t use any business inside Texas that offers sports betting lines. They do not hold a license.

Will I Get Arrested For Sports Betting In Texas?

Nobody has gotten arrested in Texas for betting on sports… at least not that we have found. As long as you use a sportsbook in Texas located out of the US, you are fine. There are no Texas sports betting laws that can get in your way.

Where Is The Best Place To Bet On Sports In Texas?

The best place to bet on sports in Texas is Bovada. They offer a reliable online sportsbook for Texas residents. Unless you want to travel to New Mexico, Louisiana, or Arkansas, you will have to use an online book. That is fine since Bovada is the best Texas sportsbook.

Is It Safe To Use A Local Bookie In Texas?

You should not use a local bookie in Texas. While there are no laws against betting with a bookie, there is no accountability. Being a bookie is against the law in Texas, though. This means that you can place bets with a bookie in Texas but it may not work out in the end. The safest way is to use an online sportsbook in Texas like Bovada.

Do Any Casinos In Texas Have Sports Betting?

There are only two casinos in Texas, in Livingston and Eagle Pass. But, neither of these Texas casinos have sports betting. Using a sportsbook in Texas can only happen with online books. These Texas casinos have poker rooms and slots but for now, there is no sportsbook.

Can I Bet On Sports With My Friends In Texas?

Betting on sports in Texas with friends is just fine. Texas gambling laws focus on operators and those offering the sports betting lines. As long as there is no “house” taking a cut, betting with friends in Texas is ok.

How Many Sportsbooks Are In Texas?

There are no Texas sportsbooks that you can visit in person. But there are many legal Texas online sportsbooks that you can bet with. Expect some local sportsbooks in Texas to launch soon. Until then, take advantage of one of the legal sportsbooks in Texas like Bovada.