Best Texas Sportsbooks April 2024
| Online Sportsbooks · States · Texas |
Sports betting is not legally permitted in Texas as of April 2024. Even as the national legal climate allows more and more sports betting, Texas remains without any legal sportsbooks, but lawmakers are trying to change that.
As recently as this year, lawmakers in Texas and numerous lobbying groups are making the push for safe, legal gambling in TX, but it's an uphill battle: and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick doesn't think the bills have the momentum to move forward.
The push continues; Senator Lois Kolkhorst filed SB 715 and SJR 39, while Representative Jeff Leach put in HB 1942 and HJR 102, all of which would legalize mobile sports betting and Texas sportsbooks-- and all of which have passed the first round of House committee.
See more about the future of Texas betting sites!
WHY CAN'T I BET ON SPORTS ONLINE IN TEXAS?
It's illegal, in short. Texas has always stood alone when it comes to legislation, and is often one of the first (or, one of the last) to adopt laws that the rest of the country is adopting. However, you can still bet on the lottery, horse racing, and DFS, and we'll break down how to bet should sportsbooks become legal:
CONTENTS
- Daily Fantasy Sports
- Texas Sportsbooks
- TX Betting Laws
- Future of Texas Betting Sites
- Betting Markets and Events
- Betting on TX Sports Teams
- FAQ - Best Texas Sportsbooks
- Conclusion
DAILY FANTASY SPORTS IN TEXAS
Although online sports betting has not yet been approved, there are other options for residents of Texas to add some excitement to their sporting events. That’s because daily fantasy sports are accessible in the state through Texas betting sites.
Daily fantasy sports have long existed in Texas in a legal gray area. The law does not classify these services as sports betting sites, arguing that they are games of skill rather than gambling. That means fantasy sports can operate outside the usual restrictions for sportsbooks.
However, fantasy sports betting in Texas should be done cautiously. Although prominent fantasy sports providers do take customers in the state, one provider has stopped accepting customers in Texas after the state’s attorney general issued a non-binding opinion that fantasy sports do classify as gambling. Further legislative activity has since stalled, but fantasy sports betting in Texas is in somewhat uncertain territory.
BEST TEXAS LOTTERY APPS
Texas is still dipping its cowboy-booted toes into the world of online gambling, but one provider is working with the Texas Lottery to provide online lottery scratchers: Jackpot.com!
With Jackpot, you can get your lottery tickets online, redeem them, and more. It's a great way to save yourself a trip!
MOST LIKELY TEXAS SPORTSBOOKS
As of April 2024, there are no Texas sportsbooks available to accept customers. However, should the state legalize sports betting in the near future, here are some of the best providers likely to open for business.
All of these providers are U.S.-based companies, which means that they will comply with any Texas regulations. These are all well-established providers as well, making them wise choices.
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOK
As you’ll see later on, DraftKings already takes customers in Texas for daily fantasy sports. Once Texas online sportsbooks go live, you’ll be able to get your fantasy sports and sports betting all through the same provider.
DraftKings accepts wagers on all major U.S. and international sports. They also offer a convenient mobile experience, meaning they are sure to be one of the best Texas sportsbooks once they’re given the approval to operate in the state.
FOX BET
You may already watch some of your games through the FOX Sports Networks. The company has also begun to offer services as a sportsbook. They operate in just a few states so far, but they could expand if the state legalized.
FOX Bet offers services geared towards new players, so it will be one of the Texas betting sites best suited to inexperienced players if they come to the state.
BETRIVERS
Coming from a company already established in the physical casino industry, this app is sure to be useful for betting in Texas once the industry takes off. After striking a partnership with Penn National Gaming in late February 2022, Rush Street Interactive (parent company of BetRivers) gained market access to offer its sportsbook and casino products to the Lone Star State if Texas online sportsbooks are legalized.
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.
Outside of authorized casinos on Native American land, betting in Texas is still prohibited. The state’s gaming industry disbanded in the 1970s, with the only exception made for fantasy sports, as detailed later in the guide. However, outside of these limited circumstances, sports betting remains illegal.
FUTURE OF TEXAS BETTING SITES
Despite the current prohibition, there have been some moves to suggest a change may be coming. However, sports fans in the state can’t know exactly when to expect this change. The future of Texas betting sites remains uncertain, but groups like the Sports Betting Alliance are looking to make Texas sportsbooks a reality the legal way.
Former Governor Rick Perry is on board as a spokesperson for the Texas arm of the Sports Betting Alliance (a national lobbying group), and his decent approval rating in the state might be enough to push sports betting into the lawbooks in 2023. However, current leadership including Lt. Governor Dan Patrick don't think that either bill will pass the Senate.
To that end, the Alliance has collaborated with Sen. Kolkhorst and Rep. Leach to get bills on the docket.
Stay tuned for more updates!
TEXAS SPORTSBOOKS: EVENTS AND BETTING MARKETS
When it comes to sporting events in the Lone Star State, it’s hard to find anything much bigger than college football. Texas has the bragging rights of hosting the sport’s second-oldest bowl, the Sun Bowl. Hosted in El Paso since 1935, this annual game features some of the top college teams around.
Expect Texas sportsbooks to be busy with the Sun Bowl in the future once sports betting is approved. Local events such as this would likely be a mainstay of the best TX sportsbooks.
POPULAR TEXAS EVENTS
Along with the Sun Bowl, here are some other local sporting events that may be popular for Texas bettors in the future.
- Cotton Bowl
- Texas Bowl
- Frisco Bowl
BETTING ON PRO SPORTS TEAMS IN TEXAS
Once sports betting becomes available, fans will be able to place wagers on all their favorite professional teams from the state. Here are some of the local franchises to keep in mind once sports betting is launched.
NFL BETTING IN TEXAS
Texas is one of a handful of states to boast more than one pro football team.
Dallas Cowboys Betting
With five Superbowl wins to their name, this team has a winning pedigree. Texas sportsbooks will surely back these local favorites when sports betting launches.
Houston Texans Betting
A fairly new team who joined the league in 2002, the Texans already have a sizable local following. They had a great season in 2019, only losing in the playoffs to eventual Super Bowl champs the Kansas City Chiefs. Certainly, Texas sportsbooks will have exciting offers for Texans fans once the service goes live.
NBA BETTING IN TEXAS
Three NBA calls the state home. Texas online sportsbooks will have plenty of variety to offer for basketball once it’s given the green light.
San Antonio Spurs Betting
One of the most successful NBA franchises of history, the Spurs have taken home five championship rings. Undoubtedly, Texas betting sites will be able to cater to Spurs fans once betting services become available.
Houston Rockets Betting
Rockets fans have a history to be proud of as a championship team. The Houston Rockets were the first team from the state to win a championship and the only Texas team to have won back-to-back championships.
Dallas Mavericks Betting
Taking home their first NBA title in 2011 with star Dirk Nowitzki leading the way, the Mavs are looking to build on that success. The Mavericks are sure to be a popular offering for future Texas sportsbooks.
NHL BETTING IN TEXAS
Hockey is growing in popularity in Texas, and the state has one professional team in the league.
Dallas Stars Betting
After moving to Texas in ‘93, the Stars won the 1999 Stanley Cup to bring the trophy to Texas for the first time.
MLB BETTING IN TEXAS
Texas has two professional baseball teams based in the state.
Houston Astros Betting
Texas’ longest-running pro baseball team, the Astros have been a presence since 1962. They became the first World Series champions from Texas after winning the title in 2017. Texas sportsbooks will hopefully be offering fans a chance to bet on the Astros building on that success.
Texas Rangers Betting
Having relocated from the D.C. area in 1972, the Rangers have since established themselves in the Texas baseball scene. They reached their first World Series in 2010 and repeated that feat in 2011. Texas betting sites will have odds on the Rangers winning their first title once regulated betting goes live.
OTHER TEXAS TEAMS TO BET ON
As well as this sizable selection of professional teams, Texas betting sites will also have plenty to offer for college sports.
BETTING ON COLLEGE FOOTBALL IN TEXAS
The state has a host of college football teams active in the area, each with its own unique fan culture. Texas sportsbooks will be able to cater to these fans if sports betting is legalized.
Texas Longhorns
One of the top collegiate football teams in the state, the Longhorns managed a third place finish in the Big 12 conference in the 2019 season. Expect them to be a betting favorite once betting is available in the state.
Texas A&M Aggies
The fighting Aggies are a local favorite in Texas. Fans can wager on the Aggies if sports betting becomes available.
BETTING ON COLLEGE BASKETBALL IN TEXAS
As well as being one of the best states for college football, Texas also offers plenty of excitement when it comes to college basketball.
Texas Longhorns
Just like in football, the Longhorns stand out in basketball as well. They are sure to be one of the favorites for future Texas sportsbooks.
BEST TEXAS SPORTSBOOKS FAQ
Here’s a quick rundown of some commonly asked questions about sports betting in Texas.
IS SPORTS BETTING LEGAL IN TEXAS?
As of April 2024, sports betting is not legally permitted in Texas. There have been bills introduced to legalize it, but no law has been passed as of yet.
The exception is daily fantasy sports. There are daily fantasy sports services available in the state, as they are not legally classified as sports betting apps.
WHERE CAN I BET ON SPORTS IN TEXAS?
There are no legal Texas sportsbooks. You will need to wait for a change in the law for sports betting to become available.
CAN I BET FROM MY PHONE IN TEXAS?
There aren’t any Texas online sportsbooks available as of April 2024. Most providers do offer mobile service, but sports betting is currently prohibited, leaving Texas betting sites unavailable.
WHEN WILL SPORTS BETTING BE LEGALIZED IN TEXAS?
It is uncertain when sports betting will be legalized. There have been bills brought before the state Legislature, but as of April 2024 nothing has been signed into law.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE BEST SPORTSBOOKS IN TEXAS
Over the years, the sports betting industry has seen increasing growth throughout the country. However, laws prohibiting sports betting remain in place even as the industry takes off throughout the country. As a result, options for betting in Texas remain very limited.
There have been some signs of a change, with bills to legalize sports betting reaching the state Legislature. However, these bills have not passed, leaving TX sportsbooks unavailable.
However, keep an eye on all the most likely Texas betting sites from our guide. These providers will be eager to move into the state once Texas sportsbooks are allowed. Until then, patience is the name of the game. Once the laws change, you’ll be ready to get in on the action.