TX Sports Betting: When Will Online Gambling Be Legal in Texas in 2026?
When it comes to Texas sports betting, the sleeping giant hasn’t woken up. For years, lawmakers have kept traditional sports wagering off the table, leaving eager bettors on the sidelines.
Still, Texans aren’t shut out completely. DFS contests on Sleeper, Dabble, and Underdog remain available, while social sweepstakes sportsbooks like Fliff and Legendz provide another legal option. In this guide, I'll cover everything about sports betting in Texas today.
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- Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas?
- Are There Other Legal Betting Options in Texas?
- Expert picks: Texas’ best online sportsbooks
- Sports and market coverage in Texas
- Sports Betting Promos in Texas
- Timeline of Texas Sports Betting Legalization Efforts
- Why Should Sports Betting Be Legal in Texas?
- Pros and Cons of Legalizing Sports Betting in Texas
- Sports Betting in Texas’ Neighboring States
- Texas Sports Betting Revenue and Handle - A Lot of Potential
- Licensing & Oversight - A Future Texas Gaming Commission?
- Responsible Gaming Measures Exist, Despite No Legal Sports Betting
- Final Thoughts on Sports Betting in Texas
- FAQ: Texas Sports Betting
- More Betting States
Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas?
No. Sports betting is not legal in Texas.
In spite of numerous bills being introduced to legalize sports betting in recent years, none have gained much traction.
Are There Other Legal Betting Options in Texas?
Remember, sports betting in Texas is not legal. However, Texans interested in some other form of legal state-approved gambling may find the following options as good alternatives:
- Texas Lottery: It debuted in 1992.
- Horse Betting: The first thoroughbred race in Texas took place in 1836.
- Daily Fantasy Sports: Texas has no law either authorizing or banning the activity, and as a result large DFS companies operate freely in the state.
- Social Sportsbooks and Sweepstakes Casinos: They are being challenged in court in numerous states, with no clarity yet on whether such money-risking activities are governed by the federal government or by individual states. The Texas legislature is in recess until January 2027.
Expert picks: Texas’ best online sportsbooks
Here are some top picks for Texas’s best DFS sites and sweepstakes sportsbooks, including details on their welcome bonuses and the most popular markets they offer:
| Sportsbook | Retail partners | Welcome bonus | Popular markets | Link to review |
| Sleeper | N/A | 100% deposit match up to $100 | NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL | Click here to read my Sleeper review |
| Dabble | N/A | $25 no-deposit signup bonus | MLB, NBA, NFL, PGA, and EPL | Click here to read my Dabble review |
| Underdog | N/A | Up to $1,000 in bonus funds with a 50% deposit match | NFL, MLB, CFB, and NHL | Click here to read my Underdog review |
| Fliff | N/A | 1,000 Fliff Coins + 1 Fliff Cash | NFL, NCAAF, MLB, and NHL | Click here to read my Fliff review |
Sports and market coverage in Texas
In Texas, the National Football League (NFL) and college football dominate the action on daily fantasy sports and pick’em apps such as Underdog, Sleeper, and Dabble. Professional teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans, along with major college programs including the Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies, attract the most attention from bettors.
Just like on DFS sites, betting activity on sweepstakes sportsbooks generally mirrors the popularity of sports in the state. NFL, college football, and the NBA are top choices. Texas’s three NBA teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs, also generate considerable basketball betting interest.
Since online sports betting in Texas isn't legal, there are no official in-state licensing, college betting regulations to report.
The Best Online Betting Bonuses In 2026
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Sports Betting Promos in Texas
Promotions on Texas DFS sites work similarly to what I found on New Jersey sports betting sites. Welcome bonuses are the main draw. For example, a popular DFS site might give new bettors a 100% deposit match up to $100, which you could immediately put to work on contests involving the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL Sunday slate.
There are also no-deposit bonuses available on some sites, typically ranging from $10 to $25 in site credit, just for signing up. Referral bonuses are another common promo, often paying out around $15 when a friend makes their first deposit.
On the other hand, Texas sportsbooks operating a sweepstakes model offer a welcome bonus in virtual currencies, such as Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins, which can be used for both casual play and entries into promotional contests.
Besides the welcome offers, the promo structure extends into loyalty and VIP programs. Most Texas DFS and sweepstakes sites run tiered rewards systems, where the more you play, the more perks you unlock.
Every entry or wager helps you climb levels, and the rewards range from tailored deposit bonuses to bigger perks like exclusive event invites, game tickets, or even a dedicated VIP host. For loyal Dallas Mavericks fans, that might mean courtside experiences or premium perks tied directly to NBA contests.
Timeline of Texas Sports Betting Legalization Efforts
Although sports betting is still not legal in Texas yet, that doesn’t mean there haven’t been any real efforts towards it. The first attempts made by the Texas legislature date back to 2019.
Here’s a quick record of such attempts.
- Feb. 1, 2019 - A member of the Texas legislature introduced a bill to authorize retail and online sports betting, eight months after the U.S. Supreme Court opened the door for such gambling in any state that wishes to allow it.
- Nov. 10, 2020 - Another bill was introduced, this time only allowing for in-person legal sports betting.
- Jan. 20, 2021 - A bill to allow for legal mobile sports betting taxed at a rate of just 6.25% was introduced.
- Feb. 8, 2021 - The Sports Betting Alliance, pairing Texas professional sports teams with major national sportsbooks, was formed. A day later, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced his vehement opposition to legalization of sports betting.
- April 3, 2023 - A pair of new sports betting bills were introduced, but Patrick again was dismissive of the idea.
- Feb. 5, 2025 - Gov. Greg Abbott declared that he has no objection to sports betting legalization, should a statewide vote on a Constitutional amendment be successful.
- June 2, 2025 - The state legislature, which only meets in odd-numbered years, adjourned with no sports betting bill advancing.
While sports betting legalization efforts have stalled in Texas, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) sites such as Dabble, Sleeper, and Underdog continue to operate in a legal gray area. While not explicitly legalized, they’ve never been outlawed, which allows them to remain active in the state. On top of that, sweepstakes sportsbooks like Fliff and Legendz also provide a legal alternative.
DFS sites and sweepstakes sportsbooks have marked key milestones that show the market’s growth and popularity.
- 2020: Fliff made an entry into Texas.
- 2023: Dabble launched in the US, forming its base in Texas.
- 2025: Payouts on the DFS app, Underdog surpasses $2billion+.
- 2027: Texas legislature may revisit sports betting legalization.
Could Online Sports Betting in Texas Become Legal in 2026?
There is no legislative session in 2026, so no. The next time the matter can be back up for discussion will be in January 2027.
How Could Texas Legalize Sports Betting?
Given the lack of progress on sports betting legalization in the Legislature, a Constitutional amendment to take the issue directly to state residents might be the most favorable path forward.
Why Should Sports Betting Be Legal in Texas?
From a Texas fan base perspective, the Lone Star State could hold a lot of potential if sports betting were ever to become legalized. It’s worth appreciating the rich diversity of professional and college level teams within the state. In fact, only California has more professional sports teams and more Division I college football and basketball programs than Texas does.
Texas’ Pro and College Sports Teams
Just considering the four traditional major sports in the U.S., Texas is home to the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans; MLB's Texas Rangers and Houston Astros; the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs; and the NHL's Dallas Stars.
Texas has 13 Division I football programs: Baylor, Houston, North Texas, Rice, Sam Houston State, Southern Methodist, Texas Christian, the University of Texas, Texas A&M, Texas State, Texas Tech, Texas El-Paso, and Texas-San Antonio.
Joining them in D-1 basketball are Abilene Christian, East Texas A&M, Houston Christian, Incarnate Word, Lamar, Prairie View A&M, Stephen F. Austin, Tarleton State, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Texas Southern, Texas-Arlington, and Texas-Rio Grande Valley.
Pros and Cons of Legalizing Sports Betting in Texas
Motivations for Legalizing Sports Betting in Texas
- If it was legal, the wildly popular University of Texas football program would be a big draw. The Longhorns were ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press preseason poll and climbed back into the top 10 on Nov. 9. But Texas A&M had an even stronger start, ranking No. 3 in that poll after reeling off nine consecutive wins to start the season. Once-beaten Texas Tech was No. 8 in that poll, underscoring the remarkable level of quality college football that is played in the state.
- The Houston men's basketball team reached the NCAA March Madness championship game in 2025 and was rated No. 2 in the AP's 2025-2026 preseason poll. Texas Tech was 10th in the same poll. Texas was ranked 4th in the AP women's poll, with Baylor at No. 16 and Texas Christian at No. 17.
- The Dallas Mavericks reached the NBA Finals in 2024 and won the NBA title in 2011, and the San Antonio Spurs won in 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014.
- The Texas Rangers won the MLB World Series in 2023, just one year after the Houston Astros did it in 2022 for the second time in six seasons.
Reasons It May Not Matter
- The NFL's Dallas Cowboys are considered the most valuable franchise in U.S. sports, but they have been disappointing their fan base - often in brutal fashion - since winning the Super Bowl in the 1992, 1993, and 1995 seasons. The Houston Texans, meanwhile, have never even been to the Super Bowl.
- The state's lone NHL team, the Dallas Stars, lost in 2020 in its only Stanley Cup Finals trip.
- As formidable as the state's football teams are, Texas in 2005 is the only state school to win a national championship in this century.
Sports Betting in Texas’ Neighboring States
While Texas has no legal sports betting, some of its neighboring states do.
Louisiana has taken in $11.2 billion in wagers entering the fall 2025 lucrative fall college and pro football seasons. Arkansas took in $1.6 billion in bets to that point. Oklahoma to the north has no legal sports betting, either, and New Mexico only offers legal wagering at sportsbooks located at tribal casinos.
Texas Sports Betting Revenue and Handle - A Lot of Potential
Texas is the second-largest state in the country, with 31.3 million people. With that said, there could be a lot of potential in the Lone Star State for high sports betting revenue and handle.
There are no legal sports betting states with a similar population to Texas that has a tax rate that might compare to what Texas lawmakers would want. However, Ohio has one-third of the population of Texas and took in nearly $8 billion in wagers in 2024.
Hypothetically, if Texas took in $24 billion in a year - three times smaller Ohio’s handle in 2024 - and the sportsbooks had a 10% hold for $2.4 billion in taxable revenue, then a 15% tax rate (as has been suggested in several stalled Texas legislative bills), would produce $360 million in new tax revenue in just one year.
Licensing & Oversight - A Future Texas Gaming Commission?
Several bills have proposed forming the Texas Gaming Commission to regulate legal sports betting, but none have yet been approved to date.
Responsible Gaming Measures Exist, Despite No Legal Sports Betting
The Texas Coalition on Problem Gambling is a recognized non-profit in Texas, and it is affiliated with the National Council on Problem Gambling. The coalition's mission is to serve as the central hub for developing comprehensive policies, programs, and services for all affected by problem gambling in Texas.
Final Thoughts on Sports Betting in Texas
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who turned age 75 in April 2025, already has announced that he will run for office again in 2026. He clearly holds sway with a significant portion of the Texas legislature, so it's possible Texas does not ever legalize sports betting while he is in office. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has modestly embraced the idea of legal sports betting in recent years, turned age 68 in November 2025 and also is running again in 2026.
Should Abbott be defeated by a sports betting authorization opponent, the odds would grow even longer on Texas introducing the new form of gambling anytime soon.
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FAQ: Texas Sports Betting
Is sports betting legal in Texas?
No. Sports betting isn't yet legal in Texas. The earliest chance for legalization will come in 2027, when the legislature can revisit the issue.
What is the alternative to sports betting in Texas?
Texans can use sweepstakes sportsbooks or DFS apps.
Is DFS legal in Texas?
Yes. DFS operates in a legal gray area but is widely available in Texas, with no state laws currently prohibiting it.
What are the top DFS sites in Texas?
Popular DFS sites for Texans include Sleeper, Dabble, and Underdog. These sites allow players to compete in fantasy contests across major sports, including the NFL, MLB, and CFB.
What are the top sweepstakes sportsbooks in Texas?
Leading sweepstakes sportsbooks in Texas include Fliff and Legendz, both of which offer welcome bonuses and free-to-play betting options.
