Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas? Best Ways to Bet March Madness

March is one of the most exciting months in sports. College basketball takes over TVs, phones, and group chats across the country. Fans fill out brackets, watch buzzer beaters, and dream about picking the perfect upset.

If you live in Texas, the excitement can come with a little frustration especially if you are looking to bet on March Madness. Many fans want to know if they can legally bet on the games. It is a fair question. Sports betting is now legal in many states, and it keeps growing each year.

Right now, sports betting is not legal in Texas. There are no regulated online sportsbooks and no retail betting locations where you can place wagers on March Madness or other sporting events.

Texas has very strict gambling laws. The state does allow a few limited forms of gaming, like the lottery and horse racing. But full sports betting has not been approved by lawmakers yet.

Other Ways to Legally Bet on March Madness in Texas

Just because traditional sports betting is not legal in Texas does not mean you are out of options. There are still ways to get some action on March Madness, you just have to think a little differently.

Two of the most popular options right now are prediction markets and daily fantasy sports (DFS).

Prediction Markets Bets On March Madness in Texas

Prediction markets let you take a position on an outcome, like who will win a game or how far a team will go.

They feel a lot like betting, but they are set up a little differently. Instead of placing a wager with a sportsbook, you are trading on outcomes.

The downside is simple.
You will not find many player props here.

Most prediction markets focus on:

• Game winners
• Tournament futures (like picking the champion)

So if you are looking to bet on how many points a player will score, this is not your best option.

Still, it is a simple way to stay involved in the tournament.

Daily Fantasy Sports Bets On March Madness in Texas

This is where things get more interesting for Texas players.

The best US DFS apps offer Pick’Em games and drafts, which feel a lot like prop betting.

Here is how it works:

• You pick players
• You choose over or under on stats (points, rebounds, assists) or build a lineup
• You win money based on how those players perform

It is not labeled as sports betting, but the experience is very similar.

For March Madness, this means you can:

• Build lineups around your favorite college stars
• Make picks on player performance
• Compete for real money prizes

DFS gives you more control and more ways to play compared to prediction markets.

Where DFS Is Legal

The good news for Texas residents is that DFS contests are legal in most states, including Texas.

There are only a few states where DFS is not allowed:

• Washington
• Montana
• Idaho
• Nevada
• Hawaii
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Connecticut
• Maine

Because Texas is not on that list, you can legally join DFS contests and take part in March Madness action.

Here’s a closer look at some of the March Madness betting promos available from top operators if you do happen to be in a state that allows legal sports betting: