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Texas online sportsbooks

Here, we will go through the leading online sportsbooks that could come to Texas. In addition, we will explore the best bonuses you could get on these bookies, how to join one, and much more.

Dan Bradley By: Dan Bradley
Fact checked by: Gary Garry
| Last Updated:
Table of contents

No, online sportsbooks are not legal in Texas. The Texas legislature only meets in odd-numbered years and was unable to get a bill from the state House to the state Senate during the 2023 session.

Unfortunately, this means the soonest a ballot measure could be available to Texan voters is in 2025; should that bill pass, the first sportsbooks would likely launch in 2026.

Best Texas sportsbooks

Texas online sports betting is not yet live, but when that changes, these are the best Texas sportsbooks we expect to launch in the state, listed alphabetically:

🏀 Barstool Sportsbook Texas ⭐ Great user experience with flexible parlay options
🏀 BetMGM Sportsbook Texas ⭐ Top-rated app with excellent loyalty program
🏀 BetRivers Sportsbook Texas ⭐ Player-friendly odds with generous welcome offer
🏀 Caesars Sportsbook Texas ⭐ Renowned design with excellent customer service
🏀 DraftKings Sportsbook Texas ⭐ Competitive odds with abundance of promotions
🏀 FanDuel Sportsbook Texas ⭐ Industry leader with live bets and same-game parlays

Barstool Texas

Barstool Sportsbook Texas

An extension of the controversial sports media outlet of the same name, Barstool Sportsbook is live in 13 states. The bookmaker offers a ton of flexible parlay options and tons of promotions. Texas residents can expect a fun and entertaining sports betting experience with Barstool Sportsbook.

BetMGM Texas

BetMGM Sportsbook Texas

BetMGM would be an excellent choice for Texas sports bettors from Day One. The loyalty program is one of the best in the industry, and the sports betting app is one of the top-rated options for both Android and iOS device users. The prop betting section has a great selection of both player and team props.

BetRivers Texas

BetRivers Sportsbook Texas

Previously branded as the Sugarhouse Sportsbook, BetRivers regularly has among the most player-friendly odds in many betting markets. In most cases, their generous welcome offer has a 30-day period to claim the bonus while most bookmakers have an offer that expires after just seven days.

Caesars Texas

Caesars Sportsbook Texas

On an aesthetic and design side, Caesars Sportsbook has one of the top apps and betting interfaces in the country. The Caesars brand is renowned for its excellent customer service, which should reassure Texas bettors that their needs will be taken care of when the sportsbook goes live.

DraftKings Texas

DraftKings Sportsbook Texas

One of the daily fantasy sports (DFS) giants, DraftKings Sportsbook rarely finds itself below the #2 ranking for sports betting handle in any state where it operates. DraftKings offers competitive odds across many sports betting markets and an abundance of promotions to cover nearly every type of bettor.

FanDuel Texas

FanDuel Sportsbook Texas

FanDuel’s DFS roots led to a surge in popularity. However, the evolution into an all-around sportsbook that still offers daily fantasy sports contests has made them one of the industry leaders. Bettors will be able to request early cash-outs, place live bets, enjoy same-game parlays, and watch live events.

How to join a sportsbook in TX

The image to represent the sign up process to a TX Sportsbook.

Joining a sportsbook in TX should be a simple process for most players. If you find yourself thinking the process is too difficult, that’s probably a red flag that the bookmaker is less than legit.

Licensed sportsbooks will have a safe, secure process that protects your personal and banking information every step of the way. We’ll only list legal, licensed operators on this site, so if you don’t see a sportsbook here, chances are it’s not safe to play with that bookie.

At a minimum, here is what you’ll need in order to start playing:

  • You will need an email address to use for your log-in and for primary communication from the sportsbook.
  • A unique username and a secure account password will be necessary.
  • You’ll be asked to provide your address as it appears on your government-issued ID, legal first and last name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. This will be used to verify your identity and betting eligibility.
  • Your cell phone number will be used for two-factor authentication when logging into your account (2FA may be required under Texas law, but your phone number will be required either way).

Beyond the above, you may be able to use a promo code or referral link when signing up to get a sign-up bonus offer. We’ll list the sign-up bonuses for legal operators on their sportsbook review pages.

Texas hasn’t yet indicated whether bets on college sports teams will be permitted under proposed sports betting legislation. Given the popularity of collegiate athletics in the state, particularly for football, baseball, and basketball, it would be a huge missed opportunity if college sports betting was not permitted.

With that in mind, here are some of the other sports teams in Texas you’ll be able to bet on, broken up by league.

  • NFL: The Dallas Cowboys have been considered “America’s team” for years and are tied for the third-most Super Bowls all-time. The Houston Texans are the league’s newest franchise, having joined the NFL in 2002. Football is the most popular sport to bet on in the U.S., and with the loyal fanbases from both clubs, we’d expect bets on the Cowboys and Texans to dominate local markets.
  • MLB: The Houston Astros and Texas Rangers both compete in the American League West Division, making the in-state rivalry even more intense. Houston won the World Series in 2017 and 2022, though the 2017 series was rocked by a cheating scandal.
  • NBA: With three teams to choose from in the state, the NBA is best poised to compete with the NFL for the most popular sport to bet on in Texas. Each of the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs has taken home a championship; Houston has won two while the Spurs lead the way with five.
  • NHL: The Dallas Stars relocated from Minnesota and first took to the Texas ice in 1993, and in 1999, the team won its first (and thus far only) Stanley Cup. There is also talk the league may relocate the Arizona Coyotes to Houston, though such a move would not happen until at least 2025.
  • MLS: FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo have both become fierce competitors in the MLS. Dallas was a member club when the league was founded in 1996 while Dynamo joined 10 years later. Houston has two MLS Cup wins to its credit while FC Dallas has taken two U.S. Open Cups but has yet to win the league championship.

Bonuses, TX, and Sportsbooks/betting sites

As mentioned above, Texas sportsbooks should be loading up on bonuses. Especially early on in the process, there will be loads of popular Texas sportsbook promos to choose from, including the ones we’ve listed below.

  • Sign-up bonus: Also called a “welcome bonus,” the sign-up bonus is a bettor’s first chance to see what the sportsbook has to offer. These bonuses can include some of the below options or be something entirely unique and new but most often consist of a second-chance bet or a matched deposit bonus.
  • Matched deposit bonus: Sportsbooks may offer to match a player’s initial deposit, usually at a dollar-for-dollar rate and up to a certain amount. Matched deposit bonuses are typically part of a sign-up bonus but can be a standalone promotion.
  • No deposit bonus: Similar to the matched deposit offer, a no deposit bonus involves an award of bet credit without needing to finance your account. This is the rarest bonus of the types we have listed.
  • Second-chance bets: Second-chance bets are the most popular sign-up bonus. With this promo, bettors who lose their first real-money wager will be awarded bet credit or bonus bets in the amount of their initial stake. Be sure to check the terms and conditions, as the credit or bonus bets may expire after a set period of time (most often seven days).
  • Bonus bets: Where bet credits can be applied sporadically and broken up over a series of wagers, bonus bets are locked in at a given increment, typically something like $10, $25, or $50. These bets can’t be withdrawn for cash but can be played either as their own stake or added to a real money wager.

Common payment options that should be accessible for Texas sportsbooks

As a general rule, the more payment options a sportsbook allows, the better. Quality sportsbooks should have a combination of at least three of the following options:

  • Credit and debit cards: Nearly every sportsbook accepts credit and debit cards for deposits, but withdrawals to those cards aren’t always available even for the same card used to deposit. Usually, withdrawals to credit/debit cards take 2-5 business days to land in your account.
  • E-wallets: PayPal, Skrill, Venmo, and Neteller are all commonly accepted payment methods at sportsbooks. The e-wallet payouts may actually happen quicker than some of the other options on this list. However, some sportsbooks may charge a processing fee of 2-5%, so be sure to check for any fees before making a deposit.
  • Bank transfers: Bank transfers are a safe and reliable payment method for sports betting. However, they can take longer to process than other payment methods and often have higher minimum deposit requirements. Deposits and withdrawals can take 1-5 business days, depending on your bank's processing time. Some sportsbooks may also charge a processing fee of 2-5%, so be sure to check for any fees before making a deposit.
  • Prepaid cards: Many sportsbooks will offer prepaid cards that can be used to fund and withdraw from your sports betting account. Play+ is the most common option but Vanilla is becoming more prevalent in the betting industry.
  • Mobile payments: Apple Pay and Google Pay have taken longer than other methods to become accepted among big-name sportsbooks, but their prevalence in other industries has led to further payment option expansion. Withdrawals are usually disbursed within 24 hours, though as with bank transfers and e-wallets, there may be additional fees involved with their use.
  • Cash at the casino: When depositing with cash, most sportsbooks will require two forms of ID, including one government-issued photo ID. These deposits are instantaneous but do require you to physically travel to the casino which can be a bit of a hassle for more rural players.

How do we rate TX sportsbooks?

Rating and sportsbooks

We rate TX sportsbooks across several key criteria which we’ll describe in further detail below. Once the state goes live with sports betting, these are the key pieces of information we’re looking at:

  • User interface: The sportsbook should have a clean, intuitive, and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate, find the desired sports and events, and place bets. The interface should be optimized for desktop and mobile devices. The layouts should be eye-catching but not distracting.
  • Betting options: A good bookie should offer a wide variety of betting options, including traditional bets such as moneyline, point spread, and totals, as well as prop bets, futures, parlays, teasers, and other exotic bets. The sportsbook should also cover a wide range of sports. Football, basketball, baseball, and soccer will likely dominate in Texas, but the operators should also cater to niche sports like cricket, rugby, and MMA. The sportsbook should also offer different betting limits to accommodate casual bettors and high rollers alike.
  • Bonuses and promotions: Texas sportsbook sites should offer competitive bonuses and promotions to attract and retain customers. These could include welcome bonuses, deposit bonuses, bonus bets, loyalty programs, and special promotions for major sports events. The terms and conditions of these bonuses and promotions should be fair and transparent, with no hidden fees or strings attached.
  • Customer support: Quality customer support should be available 24/7 via multiple channels, including email, phone, live chat, and social media. The support team should be knowledgeable, friendly, and able to handle any issues or concerns that customers may have, such as technical problems, account verification, payment processing, or disputes. The sportsbook should also have a comprehensive FAQ section and other self-help resources.
  • Payment methods: A good bookmaker should offer a variety of secure and convenient payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, prepaid cards, and in some cases cryptocurrencies. The sportsbook should have an easily understood payment policy, with fast and reliable processing times for deposits and withdrawals. The sportsbook should also use advanced security measures, such as SSL encryption and two-factor authentication, to protect customers' personal and financial information. Some states have required two-factor authentication, so Texas may consider this option as well.
  • Reputation: The bookie should have a good reputation in the industry and among customers, with a track record of fair play, transparent practices, and timely payouts. Customers should be able to find unbiased and positive reviews of the sportsbook online, as well as any potential red flags or complaints. The sportsbook should also be licensed and regulated by a government agency.

The risks of using offshore sportsbooks

Offshore sportsbooks represented as something bad / risks

Offshore sportsbooks carry a multitude of risks that make them a bad choice for sports bettors. Because they aren’t licensed under a state or federal governing body, they do not need to comply with the same consumer protection standards as licensed operators.

This means your personal and banking information could be compromised, leaving you vulnerable to fraud, hacking, or other criminal activity, and you may not have any legal recourse if something goes wrong.

Furthermore, offshore sportsbooks often have limited transparency and accountability. It can be difficult to determine who owns and operates the site, where the servers are located, and how your personal information is stored and used.

This lack of transparency can put your privacy at risk and make it harder to resolve any disputes that may arise. You should only use legal, licensed sportsbook operators. When in doubt, check our list of legal Texas sportsbooks.

Yes, sportsbooks could become legal in 2025 if the state House and Senate agree on a bill to put it on the ballot for Texas voters. If Texans vote to legalize sports betting, the first sportsbooks could launch in the state in 2026.


FAQ

How many sportsbooks are there in TX?

There aren’t any legal, licensed sportsbooks in TX as sports betting is not yet legal under Texas state law. However, once Texas voters approve a ballot measure to legalize sports betting, you can expect the state to become one of the top markets in the country with several dozen operators on standby.

Is it safe to play at Texas sportsbooks online?

No, it is not currently safe to play at online sportsbooks in Texas. Because the state hasn’t yet legalized sports betting, there isn’t a safe way to make a sports bet. Offshore sportsbooks do not offer the same consumer protections as licensed operators, so your personal information, banking info, and your actual funds could be at risk. The best plan is to wait for legal TX operators to launch in the state.

How old must I be to place a bet at a Texas sportsbook?

When the state legalizes sports betting, you will need to be at least 21 years old to place a bet at a Texas sportsbook. This will be in line with the age requirements in other states.

Do I have to live in Texas to place sports bets there?

No, you will not have to live in Texas to place sports bets there once the state legalizes sports betting. However, you will need to be within the state boundaries to place an online wager. If you don’t have geolocation services enabled on your mobile device, you won’t be able to place your bet.

Will all TX sportsbooks have a mobile app?

Most sportsbooks will offer dedicated Texas sports betting apps to cater to the growing demand for mobile betting. These apps provide users with the convenience of placing bets, checking live scores, and managing their accounts on the go.

Author Details

Dan Bradley

Dan Bradley

Dan Bradley is a betting expert and writer at Betting TX. In addition to his expertise in ice hockey, Dan has also delved into the realm of legal sports betting, exploring the intricacies of this rapidly evolving landscape across multiple US states, including Texas.

Fact checked by: Gary Garry