Sports Betting in Texas is tied to developments at the Federal level. In May 2018, New Jersey was successful in its legal challenge against the Federal nationwide ban of betting on sports.
New Jersey legalized sports betting shortly thereafter and others have since joined the legal sports betting states (alongside long legal Nevada).
However, Texas has not yet joined the legal sports wagering party sweeping across the United States, despite introducing two separate sports bills in 2019 that eventually stalled without further debate (see below in ‘Texas Online Sports Betting Laws’).
Presently, Texas is able to offer state residents and visitors no other legal sports betting options beyond DFS, and horse-and-greyhound racing at the state’s racetracks (read below in our sports betting online section the current legal environment concerning online horse betting in Texas).
For the time being, you are unable to place a bet in Texas on your favorite teams like the Dallas Cowboys or the San Antonio Spurs.
Texas Gambling Laws don’t look favorably upon illegal sports betting, and the conservative State Legislature is unlikely to introduce any sports betting legalizations bills for discussion anytime soon.
A recent study by the American Sports Betting Coalition outlined that legal and regulated Texas sports betting industry could add $1.7 billion annually to the Texas economy and create an additional 9,300 jobs.
It’s unlikely to change soon, but the numbers are compelling for change.