Jack Schiffko 26. November 2020 | UPDATED ON: 18. April 2022 Texas is known as The Lone Star State, in reference to the flag that the state adopted once it became independent from Mexico back in 1836. Texas has of course been a part of the United States of America for a long time now, but that doesn’t mean it has lost its sense of pride and intent to do things its own way. Unfortunately, because of this, Texas isn’t quite as liberalized as some other US states when it comes to gambling. It’s made one or two strides towards legalization of certain sectors over the decades, but in comparison to other US locations, it remains on the backburner, so to speak. Yet, this doesn’t mean that residents of Texas are out of options when it comes to sports betting and other gambling opportunities. Offshore platforms exist that have been catering to fans of the pastime within Texas. And fortunately, that’s what we’re here for – to give you some information on the best locations for accessing online sports betting from within the state’s borders. We’ll also be looking at state gambling laws, what sports wagering actions are already legal (if any) and where things may be headed in the future. Top 4 Sports Betting Sites for Players from Texas in 2021 The state of Texas is yet to legalize sports betting, and online gambling is certainly against laws for the time being, too. Even though this is the case, that doesn’t mean Texans can’t access offshore sites to participate in sports betting online, and we know the best ones of these. The great thing is that they’re not solely accessible to players from Texas. They can in fact be joined by bettors from all over the United States. So, let’s take a brief look into the top four sports betting sites for Texas, and indeed, the US. Slot Title Pay Back Key Features 1 50% first deposit bonus up to $250 Min. Deposit: $10Payout speed: 15 minutes50% first deposit bonus up to $250Play NowOur score: 50% first deposit bonus up to $250Read more2 125% Up to $2,500 Welcome Bonus Minimum Deposit: $100Payout Speed: 1-2 business days125% Up to $2,500 Welcome BonusPlay NowOur score: 125% Up to $2,500 Welcome BonusRead more3 $20 free bet Min. Deposit: $10Payout speed: 48 hours$20 free betPlay NowOur score: $20 free betRead more4 Welcome Bonus: 50% Up to $1,000 Min. Deposit: $45Payout speed: 210 business daysWelcome Bonus: 50% Up to $1,000Play NowOur score: Welcome Bonus: 50% Up to $1,000Read more Is Texas Sports Betting Legal? NO! It’s prevalent to note that gambling in Texas in general is severely restricted. Charitable organizations can provide bingo games to residents, and while there are two land-based tribal casinos as well as a select few racetracks, there’s very little else at the forefront of the gambling scene in Texas. It’s true to say that horse racing and greyhound racing are both active at those racetracks, with eight in total being operational throughout the state. However, outside of those tracks, you won’t be able to partake in placing pari-mutuel bets. That being said, there are several online sites which do cater to horse racing bets being placed at them by residents. Despite the fact that there are two tribal casinos in Texas, anyone engaging in slot machine gaming or card play is committing an illegal act. Of course, the tribal casinos are exempt from those state laws, thanks to the fact that the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 was introduced and is in effect in Texas, too. At one point, three tribal casinos were open and functioning in Texas, although now only two of them remain. This is due to the fact that they have all had quite the difficult battle against the state government, not only to open in the first place but to maintain that status. The two remaining tribal casinos in Texas are: Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino, Eagle Pass Naskila Gaming, Livingston In the same vein, online gambling of any form (except the previously mentioned sites that provide horse racing betting) is illegal in The Lone Star State. Social casinos can be found online, but of course, they only provide free play gaming, rather than actual real money betting. So, while they will allow you to experience the games themselves, you won’t be able to win any money from such. This has been the way that things have operated in Texas for a long time, and the only recent expansion of gambling within has been to cater to private poker clubs. Around 18 members only clubs are in operation around Texas, offering a variety of poker games to their registered players. Oddly enough though, poker isn’t really allowed in the state, but these clubs have managed to circumvent certain rules so far. The state attorney general has yet to really offer any sort of opinion on how legal they actually are. As things stand at the moment, Texas only affords its residents the possibility of engaging in daily fantasy sports as the closest thing to sports betting. DraftKings and FanDuel are both active and operational, and due to the fact that sports wagering isn’t likely to become legal in the state any time soon, this remains as the best route. DraftKings is the largest operator of DFS, and it allows for players to bet on fantasy NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL teams and so on. It’s best to take advantage of these options while you still can as well, because they’ve been going round and round with the Texas state attorney general with regard to their legality. The last movement on anything relating to sports betting came in April 2019. Two sports betting bills and a single casino gambling bill were brought under consideration of the Texas House of Representatives. The two bills relating to sports gambling focused on different aspects of its legalization, with the first proposing an amendment to the Texas State Constitution. The latter would set up a commission to oversee its operation within the state. Those two bills – filed by State Representative Eddie Lucio, along with the casino bill that was submitted by State Representative Roland Gutierrez, were submitted to the House Committee for Licensing and Administrative Procedures. Yet, they never made it any further. Our Recommended Texas Sports Betting Site in 2021 Our Rating Score a $250 Welcome Sports Bonus The Best Lines, Props And Live Betting Accepts Wide Range Of Payment Methods Including Bitcoin Bet On Traditional Sports + Politics, Esports & Virtual Sports Claim Your Bonus Now The Top 4 Out-Of-State Sports Betting Sites Overview Texans needn’t worry about whether or not they can engage in online sports betting, because there are various offshore sites providing such services. Fortunately, you don’t need to go around seeking out a site that may work well for you, because we can recommend the best ones here. Our team of experts have sorted through all of them in a bid to provide you with recommendations on only the best. As such, here is our top 4 out-of-state sports betting sites for residents of Texas to join. 1. Bovada – The Best for an Experienced, Welcoming Site (Welcome Bonus: 75% up to $750) It’s been around two decades since Bovada started providing offshore online betting to the United States. Prior to becoming Bovada, it operated under the name of Bodog, and found various levels of success. As it happens, it is the only online sportsbook that caters exclusively to the USA market. Its popularity has soared over the years, thanks to the fact that it provides swift payouts and strong promotions, with the latter being especially prevalent during football season. What we like: Speedy withdrawal process Excellent sign-up bonus Long-running brand Low wagering requirements included What we don´t like: Limits bettors on certain markets if they start winning large Minimum card fee of 5.9% for deposits Visit Bovada Now 2. BetUS Sportsbook – The Best for Speedy Cryptocurrency Transactions (Welcome Bonus: 125% Up to $2,500) While it’s true that the BetUS sportsbook offers an inviting welcome bonus, this actually consists of a 100% bonus for the sports betting section and 25% for the casino. Therefore, you get to experience both of these worlds when you make a first deposit. Not only that, but it features competitive lines and has a very user-friendly site for you to navigate through. It also markets itself as America’s Favorite Sportsbook, and with over 25 years of experience in the area, there’s little to argue about where this is concerned. What we like: Long-running brand Competitive betting lines Huge welcome bonus for sportsbook and casino in one Very user-friendly site design What we don´t like: Large bonus rollover requirements Limited number of supported banking methods Visit BetUS Now 3. Everygame Sportsbook – The Best for 35+ Years of Experience and an Excellent Mobile Site (Welcome Bonus: 200% Up to $50) If you want to visit and join an online site with an exceptional setup, then Everygame is the place to go. Not only that, but it has been around for over 35 years already, meaning that it brings a great deal of experience to the table. Anyone who prefers engaging in mobile betting will find that the platform also offers an enthralling option for such. Customer support is on hand 24/7, you can deposit by using over 15 different payment methods and a wide range of promotional offers are also on hand. What we like: 95% payout on US sports events More than 25 sports to wager on 24/7 customer support Long-running brand What we don’t like: Low withdrawal limits in effect No Bet Builder available Visit Everygame Now 4. MyBookie Sportsbook – The Best for Its Large Sign-Up Bonus and Excellent Software (Welcome Bonus: 50% up to $1,000) The MyBookie online sportsbook has grown to prominence over the years, thanks to its ability to provide players with an exceptional welcome bonus of up to $1,000. That’s just one of the inviting features though, as it provides support for cryptocurrency transactions via Bitcoin and Litecoin, for example. The software for both desktop and mobile devices is excellent, and there is a 24/7 customer support team on hand alongside. With various ongoing promotions for regular players to claim as well, this is a great sportsbook to become a bettor at. What we like: Incorporates excellent betting software Fantastic mobile compatibility Wonderful welcome bonus up to $1,000 Free credit card deposits and cryptocurrencies supported What we don’t like: Large wagering requirements on bonus offers Remains quite new to the offshore betting sector Visit MyBookie Now How We Rate the Best Texas Sports Betting Sites Is it safe to play at offshore sports betting sites from Texas? Well, if you visit the recommended online sports betting sites noted above, then yes. We have reviewed and rated these platforms in full so as to ensure that we’re providing you with the very best. Therefore, when visiting them, you can consider yourself as getting to experience the greatest for Texans. Of course, when reviewing and ranking the best sportsbooks, our team seeks out a variety of features, which include looking for: Whether an official license is held or not If a variety of payment methods are supported Does the sportsbook provide a large number of sports and betting markets? Is a friendly and dedicated customer support team available? Whether you’re able to navigate around the platform easily enough If high-quality security measures are in force Can members access the platform from a mobile device? The presence of a VIP scheme or loyalty rewards program Can you claim a great set of promotions as a newcomer or regular player? What to consider when choosing a Sports Betting Site It’s important to us that we’re giving you all of the best information with regard to the sites we’re recommending. That’s why we’ll always rate online sportsbooks by looking into what should be considered when deciding upon joining one. So, what exactly is it that you should look for from a sports betting site? Well, we’ve got some guidance for you to follow right here. Licensed and Regulated Ensure that it holds an official license to keep things regulated. And if it doesn’t have such, then it’s important to know that it is doing a good job self-regulating. Check out reviews of the sportsbook by other players and find out what their experiences have been. Banking methods Be sure that you’re able to make a deposit and withdraw from the site through your preferred payment method. Otherwise, what’s the point? You need to know that your preferential banking option is supported at the sportsbook you’re signing up to and playing at. Safety and Security Check into the state of its security. You need to feel that you’re always going to be protected when playing at an online sports betting site. So, there needs to be a secure server in operation, as well as high-quality data encryption for the transactions that you make. Bonus and rewards Look at the different promotions provided by the site. The platforms that we recommend all come with their own range of top-quality special offers. So, you’ll need to find out if the sportsbook you’re intending to join also has rewards for newcomers and regular bettors. Customer support Learn about the customer support features. If it’s just an FAQ section, then you may want to avoid it. These sites do much better for their customers when a support team is also available to contact, and this should be accessible throughout the day, if possible. Range of Betting Markets Be sure that it has a great selection of sports to bet on. This doesn’t just mean US sports, but international ones as well. And when you visit each different sport, make sure that it has various events and markets associated with each. The Future of Texas Sports Betting & Online Gambling For the time being, it doesn’t look very much like Texas will embrace online sports betting and gambling. As a matter of fact, it would need to welcome sports betting in general into the state, and that’s not made much movement forward as of yet. With there being questions raised over the validity and legality of DFS in The Lone Star State, things are even on shaky ground for DraftKings and FanDuel. In fact, sports and sports betting aren’t really going hand-in-hand where Texas is concerned. This comes even though the Dallas Cowboys proceeded with naming WinStar World Casino its official corporate sponsor back in 2018. That paved the way, as the Cowboys were the first NFL sports team to partner up with a casino. While some may have looked at this as being quite the step forward for online gambling as well, nothing ever came of it in this area. Even though the Supreme Court of the USA overturned the PASPA law in 2018, making it legal for individual states to introduce sports betting to their residents, Texas has made little advance. Despite having two active sports bills in the House senate, it just doesn’t seem to be any sort of priority for the state. That’s quite the unfortunate outcome on the whole, but thanks to the presence of various offshore platforms, Texas residents can get their fill of sports betting when they need to at them. Where Else is Online Gambling Legal in the US? AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC Best Online Casinos in Texas Potentially, you’ll also want to engage in online casino gaming, either as an alternative or alongside sports betting. Again, Texas hasn’t gone through any legalization process for online casinos, which means that there are only offshore casinos to join for now. Fortunately, to find some of the best casino games and enjoyable sites for Texans, we’ve got a list of the best online casinos for you to browse through here. 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Despite numerous arguments between the sites and the state attorney general over their legality, it’s possible to place wagers on your chosen fantasy sports team for real money at DraftKings and FanDuel etc. What Forms of Gambling Are Officially Legal in Texas? Charitable gaming, pari-mutuel gambling and state lotteries are all legal in Texas. Tribal casinos have been set up in the state under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 as well. Where Is the Closest Legal Sports Betting State to Texas? It’s possible for Texans living in the western side of the state to cross the borders into Arkansas and New Mexico so as to engage in sports betting. Those remain as the two closest locations where sports betting can legally take place. What Taxes Must Be Paid on Gambling Winnings in the State? Due to the fact that gambling within Texas is pretty much an illegal activity outside of the land-based tribal casinos, it’s difficult to pinpoint a tax rate for such. There is no such thing as an income tax for residents of Texas. Therefore, it’s probably better for gamblers to apply the sin tax that Texas has on such winnings. Which Texas Sports Teams Can Be Wagered on at Offshore Sites? Most offshore sites allow betting on all professional sports team from within Texas. These include the Houston Texans, Dallas Stars, Houston Astros, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Texas Longhorns, Texas Rangers, Houston Rockets, college football and other college sports. This means that if one of the Texas teams makes it to the NFL Super Bowl, you’ll be able to wager on them via an offshore sportsbook. How Close Is Texas to Legalizing Sports Wagering? Unfortunately not very close at all. It’s actually a state that’s on the lower end of the spectrum when it comes to making any sort of legislative efforts to legalize it. Throughout 2020, no bills have been brought forward regarding sports betting, so it’s clear that it isn’t really even a consideration for lawmakers oronline betting the House at the moment. About Jack Schiffko Jack S. is a seasoned gambler and writer with over 10 years experience within the iGaming industry. He has written for several online casinos, bookmakers and iGaming news outlets. His favorite subjects are slots and live casino games. Find out what kind of games he recommends and prefers. View all posts by Jack Schiffko →
