Texas Online Sports Betting

If you have been paying attention in the sports world, sports betting has taken off across the United States. The top sportsbooks are gaining new users in legal and regulated states. What about betting in Texas? Can you bet on sports in Texas? Here’s what you need to know about Texas online sports betting.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas?

Currently, there is no legal sports betting in Texas. That doesn’t mean sports betting legislation isn’t possible soon. The Texas legislative sessions meet every two years and have been heavily discussing the possibility of multiple Texas sports betting bills being passed in the future. The last push to legalize sports betting in the state of Texas failed back in 2021.

Latest Texas Betting News and Betting Updates

A sports betting bill was introduced to the Texas legislature back in February of 2023. The sports betting legalization bill had backing from professional sports teams. The bill would require a statewide vote in November if approved. 

This could be good news for bettors looking to get into mobile sports betting on the Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and more popular teams in the game.

On April 4, 2023, two Texas sports betting bills were able to advance through the House Committee on State Affairs. The House Committee on Calendars is the next step as sports bettors hope for good news about sports gambling in Texas. No word on if there would be restrictions to the sports betting market such as betting on college sports.

There is still much work to do for sports betting legislation in the state but it looks like sports betting in the Lone Star state is moving in a good direction. Texas may join the other handful of states with legal gambling within the next year or two. A wave of sportsbook options is waiting for the go-ahead.

Keep up with the latest Texas sports betting updates and news so you are ready when legal sports betting comes to the state. if you are new to sports betting, take the time to research the best online sports betting sites in other states and learn about the popular sports to bet on.

May 10, 2023: The Texas House gave final approval to legislation that would let voters decide to legalize sports betting in the state. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick then said sports betting wouldn’t advance in the Texas Senate.

Sports Teams for Texas Sports Betting

If sports betting would become legal in Texas, there are a long list of teams and online betting options. Texas bettors would have a large amount of college and pro sports teams to bet on with online betting sites. In terms of the major sports, Texas would have the big four in professional sports covered. There are pro baseball, basketball, football, and hockey teams in Texas.

If the state were to legalize sports betting, Texans would be able to gamble on popular professional sports franchises such as the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, Houston Texans, Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Texas Rangers. There would be no shortage of options at your favorite sportsbook.

Online sports betting would also bring the potential of betting on college sports. Online sports betting sites could have options for the Division I colleges such as Texas, Texas Tech, Baylor, TCU, Texas State, Texas A&M, and more. TX sports betting would provide one of the biggest markets in the country to Texas residents.

Online Sportsbooks and Betting Sites in Texas

As of now, there is no word of what sports betting apps or online sportsbooks in Texas we could see. There will be much more information if online sports betting in Texas is legalized. If that happens, you could expect to find the best sportsbooks from across the country to join the ranks.

Texas is one of the biggest states in the US in terms of population and land area. Legal Texas sports betting could be massive for the sports betting industry. For now, it’s up to the Texas state legislature to determine when betting is legal within the state’s borders.

Sports Betting Markets and Bet Types

With legal betting in limbo, you can still take the time to learn about some of the most popular bet types and options. This way, if sports betting comes to Texas, you’ll be ready. Here’s a look at some of the common bet types you will find at sportsbooks.

Moneylines

A moneyline bet is a wager on which team will win the game straight up. You’re betting on the winner. Favorites are usually listed with negative odds while an underdog will have positive odds.

For example, you check NBA betting odds and see the Mavericks are -200 favorites vs the Pelicans. If the Mavericks are victorious, it would take a $200 bet to win $100.

Point spreads

When you make a point spread bet, you’re betting on the margin of victory or defeat. Each team is given a point value to balance the odds. Point spreads allow you to bet on either team, even if one is heavily favored to win.

For example, you might see the Dallas Cowboys are -4.5 favorites vs the Titans. To cover the spread, the Cowboys have to win by at least five points.

Betting lines for point spreads usually come with odds around -110 on both sides. A $110 bet would win $100. Point spreads are one of the most popular bet types.

Totals

When you make a total bet, it’s also known as an over/under bet. You’re betting on the total number of points that both teams will score in the game. The sportsbook will set a line on how many points they think will be scored.

For example, the total for the Spurs-Bulls game is 235.5. For it to be an over, there would need to be 236 points or more scored in the game. If the game ended 120-110, it would be an under because that’s only 230 total points.

Props

A prop bet is a wager on a specific outcome within a game. Keep in mind, the outcome is not necessarily tied to the final result. Some people find these bets more enjoyable. Sportsbooks offer props on different outcomes for players, teams, and games.

There are a variety of outcomes such as how many points a player will score, how many rebounds a player will have, how many touchdowns a QB will throw for, and more. For example, Luka Doncic might have his over/under for points set a 25.5. You are betting whether he will be over or under that mark in the game.

Futures

A futures bet is looking at an event or outcome down the road. Betting on which team will win the championship or what player will win the NBA MVP. These odds change throughout the year based on performance, injuries, and more. You can track futures of major sports teams and players on the top online sites throughout the year.

Are there Daily Fantasy Sports in Texas?

It’s a complicated issue but technically, Texas is a Daily Fantasy Sports legal state. The likes of DraftKings and FanDuel accept players on their DFS platforms.

There was some controversy in 2016 when Attorney General Ken Paxton issued this opinion:

“Under section 47.02 of the Penal Code, a person commits an offense if he or she makes a bet on the partial or final result of a game or contest or on the performance of a participant in a game or contest. Because the outcome of games in daily fantasy sports leagues depends partially on chance, an individual’s payment of a fee to participate in such activities is a bet. Accordingly, a court would likely determine that participation in daily fantasy sports leagues is illegal gambling ‘under section 47.02 of the Penal Code.”

DraftKings fought the opinion in court and an attempt to legalize DFS with a new law was not enacted back n 2017. There haven’t been any efforts since then. With that being said, bettors in Texas have access to DFS as an alternative as they wait for sports wagering options in Texas.

Texas Online Sports Betting FAQs

21+ and Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.