Texas Sports Betting: Best DFS, Sweepstakes & Prediction Market Options

Texas sports betting is not legal in the traditional sense, but through other forms of online gambling, Texas bettors can get in on the action.

Through daily fantasy sports, sweepstakes and prediction markets, Texans can risk and win real money with their sports picks and predictions.

This page breaks down all of those options while looking into when legal online sportsbooks could possibly launch in the Lonestar State.

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Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas?

No, not in the traditional sense. Legal online sportsbooks are not available in Texas, but DFS apps and prediction markets are.

Attempts to legalize sports betting have been made in the past, but for now it’s all eyes on the 2027 legislative session, as nothing was passed in 2025.

Texas is has a part-time state legislature, meaning it meets every other year. So, any sports betting bill could not be introduced until January of 2027, when the next pre-filing period begins.

There were two bills in the last session that showed some promise: HJR 137, introduced by Rep. Charlie Green, and HJR 134, introduced by Rep. Sam Harless. Neither passed, however.

Latest Texas Sports Betting Updates

There have been a number of attempts to legalize sports betting in Texas across the years, and none have gained significant traction. The 2nd most populous state in the nation has been fighting for legalization since PASPA was overturned in 2018.

While some states decided to immediately legalize Sports betting after that ruling in 2018, some didn’t. Texas is among the toughest states to pass a bill that legalizes sports betting due to a constitutional provision, which would require a referendum to amend the constitution. Bills have been raised, such as HB 1275 and HB 2070 in 2019 and 2021, respectively.

To the delight of many sports fans in Texas, there were movements towards legalization in the early onset of 2023. The Texas Sports Betting Alliance announced that Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-18) introduced SB 715 and SJR 39. At the same time, Rep. Jeff Leach (R-67) introduced HB 1942 and HJR 102, all the bills aiming to legalize sports betting within the state of Texas.

Again, none were passsed.

Still, it is widely considered that traction is being gained in legalizing sports betting in the state. The Dallas Stars, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Texas Rangers, and many other professional franchises have all supported moving forward with a new bill.

But perhaps the most important proponent is the owner of the most valuable sports franchise in the world.

During a 2022 training camp interview with the Hang Zone on The Ticket Sportsradio 1310 AM/96.7 FM, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was asked point blank if he believed sports betting in Texas would one day be a common occurrence in the state of Texas.

“Gaming, as it pertains to our game, is here. It’s frankly been here. But you’re talking about a different form of it, a more recognized form of it, a more sanctioned form of it. Yes, I do. Without in any way not being sensitive to the great people that want to keep everything in the right way, but the handwriting is on the wall. Gaming has been here for a long time.”

Potential Texas Sports Betting Tax Revenue

If something similar to HB 1275 is to be passed, the sports betting industry would be a major economic driver for the state.

New York, a state with a population of 20.2 million people in 2020, hauled in $274 million dollars in tax revenue alone at a 7.3% tax rate. It’s assumed New York sees more than $1 billion flow per month through sportsbooks annually. Texas, with a population that is slightly less than a third larger, can expect those numbers and more – perhaps around $40 billion per year.

If we are to assume the future bill that eventually passes is around what was proposed in 2019, a 6.25% tax rate, it can be assumed that the Texas government could haul in over $3 billion in tax revenue.

Timeline Of Sports Betting In Texas

• January 2027: The next session of the Texas legislature will open, opening the next available window for sports betting legislation in Texas.
• December 2025: Major sports betting operators DraftKings and Fanatics open their prediction market apps to Texans.
• June 2025: The Texas legislature adjourns for the year, without taking a vote on a Texas sports betting bill, killing the idea for at least two more years.
• 2023: While HB1942 and HJR155 find their way through the Texas House, neither is able to gain the proper support in the senate, and fail.
• 2021: Despite the efforts of gaming companies, sports franchises and bipartisan support, Texas lawmakers fail to pass HB1121, a promising early Texas sports betting bill.
• 2019: Representative Eddie Lucio III details proposed sports betting regulations via HB 1275. House Joint Resolution 61 follows shortly thereafter, but both fail to pass.

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What Sports Betting Options Are Available in Texas?

While legal sportsbooks are not available in Texas, you can get in on the action in a variety of ways.

With daily fantasy sports, sweepstakes sportsbooks and prediction markets, you can win real money from your sports picks and predictions in the Lonestar State.

Best DFS Apps in Texas

The most commonly used and longstanding option for Texas sports fans are DFS apps, which are available for Texans 18 and older.

Underdog, DraftKings Pick6, FanDuel Fantasy, PrizePicks, Sleeper, Betr Picks, Dabble Fantasy, Chalkboard Fantasy and Boom Sports are among the options in the state.

These apps allow you to play Pick’Em, Best Ball and other fantasy games in the state, and win cash.

Here’s a comparison of the best DFS apps in Texas:

Prediction Markets in Texas

The latest addition to the Texas sports betting landscape is prediction markets. These aren’t actual sportsbooks, but through the trading of contracts, you can put money on the line for many of the same markets you’d find on a traditional sports betting app – and plenty that you wouldn’t.

Prediction markets are regulated at the federal level by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which allows them to operate in all states, even those that do not have laws regulating sports betting.

Kalshi, Fanatics Markets and DraftKings Predictions are among the prediction markets available in Texas. FanDuel Predict could be coming soon, and depending on your definition, Novig could also be lumped in.

Among the contracts you can trade at a prediction market are game winners – either straight up or against the spread – futures and what would normally be considered props.

The difference is you buy shares in either “yes” or “no” on each outcome, with the cost of the share determining your potential payout.

Like a traditional sportsbook, there is also a cash out option, although on a prediction market it’s always available, as you are simply selling your shares.

Texas Social, Sweepstakes Sportsbooks

Social and sweepstakes sportsbooks are closer to the DFS model in terms of how to play, but have very different monetization.

On these apps, which include Thrillzz and Rebet, there are two types of currency for users. One form has no monetary value and is only used to play games. The other can be redeemed for gift cards or cash prizes.

Users can purchase coin packages rather than simply depositing their money as they would in other online gambling apps.

These apps have faced legal scrutiny in many states because of how similar they are to online casinos and sportsbooks, but they are still available in Texas.

Novig is one app that straddles the line between prediction market – which it markets itself as – and a sweeps sportsbook. It features two types of currency but is also a peer-to-peer product, meaning there is no vig (get it?) taken by the house on your bets.

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Texas Teams To Bet On

Recent bills proposed championed the ability to bet on both professional and collegiate sports when Sports Betting does eventually become legal in Texas. Below are some teams you can place bets on likely in the near future:

Top Texas Professional Teams

Aside from California, Texas has the most professional sports teams of any U.S. State.

They’re successful ones, too. The Houston Astros, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Dynamo have all won championships in the past 15 years.

There’s plenty of potential in other young teams from Texas. Placing a bet on Luka Doncic in some fashion won’t seem like a bad call in a few years.

Let’s take a look at all of Texas’ major professional sports franchises:

• Dallas Cowboys
• Dallas Mavericks
• Dallas Stars
• Texas Rangers
• San Antonio Spurs
• Houston Rockets
• Houston Astros
• Houston Texans
• FC Dallas
• Houston Dynamo
• Austin FC

Top Texas Collegiate Teams

The state of Texas is second to none where the potential of collegiate sports is concerned.

With Texas’ move to the SEC on the horizon and the recent addition of Arch Manning, opening the floodgates to the No. 2 nationally ranked class, Texas is inching closer and closer to relevance once again. It seemed that the Longhorns that once won the National Championship would never again return.

But there is a legitimate contender within the state. Texas A&M is slowly growing under head coach Jimbo Fisher and will no doubt be a power for years to come in the ever-changing college football landscape.

Can’t wait to be on Texas A&M v Texas’ SEC duel every season in 2026 and on? Neither can we.

Here are some more collegiate programs you can hope to bet on very soon.

• Texas Longhorns
• Texas A&M Aggies
• Baylor Bears
• Texas Tech Red Raiders
• TCU Horned Frogs
• Houston Cougars

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How to Read Sports Betting Odds in Texas

There is no place to bet on traditional sports betting odds in Texas, so while you may not be able to claim a bet365 bonus code, that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for the day legal betting apps arrive.

Here are the types of bets available at online sportsbooks, and what they mean:

• Moneyline: The simplest of bets, as you are just picking who will win the game. In most cases, one team will be listed with negative odds (favorite), while the other will have positive odds (underdog). Example: Cowboys (-125) vs. Texans (+100). In this case, the Cowboys are favored, and you would need to bet $125 to win $100. A $100 bet on the Texans, however, would win you $100.
• Spread: When referring to games in gambling terms, we most often note the spread, or the projected gap between the two teams. Example: Spurs -6.5 vs. Rockets. If you bet the Spurs at -6.5, they will need to win by seven or more for your bet to cash. Any Rockets win, or loss by six points or fewer, would result in bets on the Rockets cashing. Spread also have odds attached to each side which determine your payout, with -110 being the most common.
• Total (Over/Under): Betting on the total means wagering on the combined total score of a game. Example: Rangers vs. Astros O/U 8.5. If you bet the Over, you would need the Rangers and Astros to combine for at least nine runs. An Under bet would win if the teams combined for eight runs or fewer. Like spread bets, totals come with odds on either side to determine your payout.
• Parlays: You can combine multiple bets into a parlay to increase your potential payout. Every leg (or bet) in your parlay must win, however, for you to win the bet. Same-game parlays (SGPs) are among the most popular bet types at online sportsbooks.
• Props: Prop bets can be placed on a specific outcome to occur during a game. This can range from the number of touchdowns in the Cowboys vs. Eagles game, to how many passing completions Dak Prescott will have.
• Futures: As the name indicates, futures bets are more longterm, such as picking the winner of the Super Bowl, NBA title or MVP. These bets come with moneyline odds attached to them, as you are simply picking who will win the given event.

Banking Methods for Texas Online Gambling

With several legal options available for online gambling in Texas, there are also several methods available to make deposits and withdrawals.

Types of deposit methods available in Texas include:

• Online banking
• Debit cards (Visa or Mastercard)
• Credit Cards (Visa or Mastercard)
• PayPal
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay

If legal online sports betting comes to Texas, there are other methods that will definitely join those, including:

• Venmo
• Play+
• VIP Preferred
• Gift cards

With online transactions making up the vast majority of deposit and withdrawal options, most are basically instant.

Withdrawals consistently hit accounts within 24 hours, while deposits are immediately available.

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FAQ Texas Sports Betting

Is sports betting legal in Texas?

No, sports betting is not currently legal in the state of Texas in the traditional sense, but you can use DFS and prediction market apps to win money on sports picks and predictions.

When will sports betting be legal, if at all?

Sports betting will not be legal in Texas until at least 2027 when a new bill can be proposed: it's worth noting that while the movement to legalize sports betting has gained public and private support, recent bills have failed.

What is the legal betting age if and when Sports betting is legalized in Texas?

At least 21 years old: all prospective users must be at least 21 years old to bet on sports under United States federal law.

Are Daily Fantasy Games (DFS) legal in the state of Texas?

There is no bill criminalizing Daily Fantasy Sites such as Fanduel and DraftKings: both sites listed above, as well as many others, do accept players in the state of Texas.

Is there an age requirement to play DFS?

At least 18 years old: all prospective users must be 18 years or older to play DFS in Texas.

Who are the proponents of Sports Betting in Texas?

The Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers, Houston Rockets, Houston Astros, and many other professional team support legalized, regulated Sports Betting within the state of Texas: Texas governor Greg Abbott has also shown he's open to legalization.