With the Texas legislature adjourned until 2027, traditional sportsbooks remain illegal. However, Texans can now legally trade on sports using federally regulated apps like Kalshi and Fanatics Predict.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas?
Sports betting, in the traditional sense, is not legal in Texas, at least not through sportsbooks. Any wagering on sports must be done through prediction markets or social sportsbooks.
That’s not going to change, at least this year, thanks to Texas’ part-time legislature, which meets every other year.
Texas ‘Dead on Arrival’ Sports Betting Bills
Don’t take the lack of legal sports betting in Texas as a lack of effort. Several bills have been put forward, including in 2025, but the opposition of Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has made them basically dead on arrival.
The latest was House Joint Resolution 134 (HJR 134), which was filed by Rep. Sam Harless (R-Spring) in February of 2025. It never made it out of committee, however, and when the legislature adjourned in June, it died – for at least the next two years, anyway.
When Could Sports Betting Become Legal in Texas?
The Texas legislature doesn’t meet again until January of 2027, so late 2027 would be an optimistic timeline if it decided to legalize sports betting.
That timeline would also suggest HJR 134 – or another similar bill – would be brought up immediately and voted on quickly.
So, the earliest you could have legal traditional sportsbooks in Texas is late 2027 or early 2028.
The current makeup of the state senate, however, makes that unlikely.
Gov. Greg Abbott’s Sports Betting Stance
Any sports betting bill in Texas would require the signature of the governor, and Greg Abbott, who currently occupies that office, is at least open to it.
Abbott has declared his intention to run for re-election in 2026, so if the next session produces a successful sports betting bill, he could be the one who has to sign it.
Texas Online Gambling – Top Legal Alternatives for 2026
There are ways to “bet” on sports in Texas, although it’s not called betting.
You can trade contracts on prediction markets, or use social and sweepstakes sportsbooks.
Option 1: Prediction Markets Available in Texas
While prediction markets have faced plenty of scrutiny nationally, they are legal and federally regulated by the CFTC, making them available to Texans.
In Texas, you can use Kalshi or Fanatics Predict to trade “Yes” or “No” outcomes on sporting events.
You can trade those contracts on the Cowboys, Texans, Rangers, Astros, Rockets, Mavericks, Spurs, Stars and more.
These prediction markets don’t give you odds, but the percentage chance for the outcome at the time you purchase your contract will determine your potential payout.
Kalshi has become one of the bigger names in the industry, running ads nationally, partnering with top sports and culture influencers, and even partnering with CNN.
Fanatics Predict, meanwhile, gives Texans access to a well-known sports betting brand, albeit in a different format.
These are the safe options for those looking to wager on sports in the Lonestar State.
Option 2: Social & Sweepstakes Sportsbooks
There are also social and sweepstakes sportsbooks available in Texas, including Chalkboard, High5 and Novig.
At a social sportsbook like Chalkboard or High5, you can make predictions or picks on sporting events. You’re not using real money when making these picks. Social and sweepstakes apps utilize virtual currencies.
One of those currencies has no real value and is simply used for playing games. The other can be redeemed for cash or gift cards.
Novig, meanwhile, is a sweepstakes sportsbook, but in a peer-to-peer format. You are betting against other users, meaning there’s no vig, hence the name. It allows you to set a line, and if another user accepts the other side, it goes live.
Like other social and sweepstakes sportsbooks, Novig has two types of currency: Novig Coins, which have no value and are simply used to play, and Novig Cash, which is redeemable for real money prizes once playthrough requirements are met.
Unlike in California, where legislation has been passed to ban these types of sportsbooks, these options will continue to be available in Texas.
How to Bet on Sports Legally in Texas
They’re not calling it betting, but as we’ve covered, you can put money on sports in Texas.
So while you can’t bet on the Cowboys title odds at DraftKings, you can trade contracts on them winning the Super Bowl at Kalshi.
Big names in Texas sports, such as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban have both lobbied for its legalization.
In the meantime, here’s what to do to start “betting” on sports in Texas:
- Download one of the CFTC regulated or sweepstakes apps available in Texas by clicking through links on this page
- Create your account with your personal information, including name, birthdate, phone number, email address, SSN, etc.
- Deposit money into your prediction market app, or purchase a batch of coins at a social/sweepstakes sportsbook
Now you’re ready to look through the available markets, whether it be a contract for the Texans to win the AFC South, “Yes” on Cowboys to defeat the Eagles or setting a Novig line on the Rockets vs. Spurs game.
Texas Sports Betting Timeline
- January 2027: The next legislative session in Texas will open, providing the next opportunity to bring up betting legislation.
- December 2025: Fanatics Predict launches in Texas, giving a reputable prediction market option to Texans.
- June 2025: Texas legislature adjourns its latest session without taking a vote on the Texas sports betting bill.
- 2023: Two sports betting bills pass through the Texas House, but fail in the Senate.
- 2021: The first bill to legalize sports betting in Texas, HB1121, is filed. Despite the backing of several big names in the state and industry, it fails to pass through the legislative process before the end of the session.
Texas Sports Betting FAQs
Here are some quick answers to Texas sports betting FAQs:
Is sports betting legal in Texas?
Currently, sports betting is not legal in Texas, whether that be in-person or through mobile wagering. However, prediction markets such as Kalshi and Fanatics Predict are available, as are social and sweepstakes sportsbooks. Horse racing and pari-mutuel betting are also legal in the state, and there are tracks throughout where gamblers can make wagers.
Are there any casinos in Texas?
In the entire state, only two tribal casinos operate to serve gamblers in Texas. One is in Livingston, and the other is in Eagle Pass.
What are the professional sports teams in Texas?
Texas is home to a ton of pro sports teams. The Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs of the NBA, Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys of the NFL, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers of the MLB, FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo of MLS, the NHL's Dallas Stars, and the WNBA's Dallas Wings all call Texas home.