Much like all forms of Texas gambling, the history of off-track betting in Texas is a long and arduous one. With no full-scale casinos or sports betting in the state and a gray area poker scene, off-track betting in Texas does offer gamblers in the state a form of reprise as it is legal and widely available.
As of early 2024, there are dog/horse tracks spread throughout the state, and the off-track betting Texas landscape is still one that offers plenty of action for those looking to get involved. More importantly for today’s reading, there are three off-track betting locations in the state for fans of Texas horse race betting to get involved in the action.
Let’s take a closer look at the state of the OTB industry in Texas today.
Off-track betting locations in Texas
Despite there being no independent off-track betting locations in Texas, you can still head to one of the state's racetracks to place your horse bets. Here are the six open to the public as of early 2024 and where to find them.
What is off-track betting and how does it work?
More frequently referred to as an OTB, off-track betting is a location where you can go to bet on horse races that are happening throughout the country. Often located at horse or greyhound race tracks, as all the off-track betting Texas facilities are, they can also be at standalone entities such as bars and restaurants.
Bettors who place bets there are taking part in what is known as pari-mutuel Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW), a fancy term for betting on horses from afar. Once you place your bet at the off-track betting facility, either via a self-serving machine or with a teller, you can then watch your race on a closed-circuit television directly at the OTB.
Off-track betting facilities, including those in Texas, make their money by taking a piece of every wager known as the ‘takeout.’ Simply put, this is their commission for operating the OTB location, paying their bills, and making a profit in the process.
How could I place a wager at OTB locations in Texas?
For Texas residents, and those visiting the state, visiting an OTB location in Texas at one of the racetracks might be an intimidating process. Today, we are going to walk you through how to place a wager at OTB locations in Texas in a few simple steps.
The below instructions are for placing a wager at the OTB location in Texas’ self-serving kiosks, an increasingly popular norm at all OTB facilities.
Expert advice when off-track betting in Texas
For those considering heading to an off-track betting Texas location for the first time, there are some basic dos and don’ts that every bettor should consider. Based on nearly two decades of betting on horses, below is some expert advice when off-track betting in Texas.
