Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas? (February 2026)
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Martin Green
- February 1, 2026
Short answer: No — Texas does not have legal, state-regulated online sportsbooks or retail sportsbooks. See our list of the best offshore sportsbooks in Texas.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
Texas sports betting legality at a glance
| Activity | Legal in Texas? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Texas-licensed online sportsbooks | ❌ No | No regulated TX sportsbook apps exist. |
| Texas-licensed retail sportsbooks | ❌ No | No state-regulated retail sportsbooks operate. |
| Placing a bet on a game result / player performance | Generally ❌ | Texas defines gambling to include betting on a game/contest result or participant performance. |
| Office pools / squares / “social betting” | Depends | A defense to prosecution exists only if strict conditions are met. |
| Running a book / taking a cut | ❌ | “Gambling promotion” includes bookmaking and is a separate offense category. |
Where Texas stands today (2026)
Texas sports betting is not legal in the way most readers mean it: there are no Texas-regulated sportsbook apps and no legal retail sportsbooks operating under Texas law.
That’s also why most “Texas betting apps” searches lead to comparisons of international sportsbooks that accept Texas players—platforms that are not licensed by the State of Texas and do not provide the same consumer protections as regulated U.S. sportsbooks.
Related: Best Texas Sports Betting Apps & TX Sportsbooks (2026)
What Texas law says about sports betting
Texas’ gambling statute includes making a bet on the partial or final result of a game or contest or on the performance of a participant in a game or contest.
The “social betting” defense (office pools, squares, private wagers)
Texas also provides a defense to prosecution for gambling if all three are true:
- it happens in a private place
- no person receives an economic benefit other than personal winnings
- aside from skill/luck, everyone has the same risk of losing and same chance of winning
What counts as “private place”? Texas defines it as a place the public does not have access to—and specifically excludes (among others) common areas of office buildings, bars/restaurants, and other public/common locations.
Deep dive: Office Pools & Squares in Texas: What Crosses the Line
Potential penalties (what readers should know)
This is not legal advice, and enforcement can vary by facts and jurisdiction. But the statute levels matter:
- Gambling (placing a bet): an offense under Penal Code 47.02 is a Class C misdemeanor.
- Gambling promotion (bookmaking / taking a cut / holding bets “for gain”): an offense under 47.03 is a Class A misdemeanor.
Why the distinction matters: Casual “I made a bet” behavior and “I’m running the pool / taking a cut” behavior are treated differently in Texas law.
What gambling is allowed in Texas (and why it’s different)
Texas law contains defenses tied to specific, permitted gambling categories like charitable bingo, charitable raffles, the Texas state lottery, and pari-mutuel racing—none of which are the same thing as statewide sportsbook legalization.
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) and pick’em apps: a common confusion point
Many Texans assume DFS availability means sports betting is legal. Texas’ legal picture is more complicated.
Texas Attorney General opinion KP-0057 concluded participation in paid daily fantasy sports leagues is illegal gambling under Penal Code 47.02, and also discusses how the social gambling defense works in certain settings.
(App availability ≠ legal clarity. If you need an actual legal opinion for your situation, talk to a Texas attorney.)
Can Texans use offshore sportsbooks?
Some international sportsbooks accept Texas customers, but these sites are not licensed or regulated by Texas, and they do not offer the same consumer protections as regulated U.S. markets.
If your intent is “what works today,” start here:
When could Texas legalize sports betting?
Most legalization proposals are structured around a constitutional amendment, which generally requires two-thirds approval in each chamber and then voter approval statewide.
For the live, updated view (bills, hearings, votes, timeline scenarios):
FAQs: Is sports betting legal in Texas?
Is sports betting legal in Texas right now?
No. Texas sports betting is not legal in the form of state-regulated online or retail sportsbooks.
Is online sports betting legal in Texas?
No. Texas does not authorize state-regulated sportsbook apps, and Texas law covers betting on the result of games/contests.
Are there any legal sportsbook apps in Texas?
No Texas-licensed sportsbook apps exist because Texas has not authorized regulated sports betting.
What does Texas law consider “gambling” for sports betting?
It includes making a bet on the result of a game/contest or the performance of a participant.
What’s the penalty for placing a bet in Texas?
Under Penal Code 47.02, an offense under that section is a Class C misdemeanor.
What if someone runs a pool or takes a cut?
Texas Penal Code 47.03 covers “gambling promotion” (including bookmaking) and is a Class A misdemeanor.
Are office pools or Super Bowl squares legal in Texas?
They can fall under a defense only if it’s in a private place, nobody profits beyond personal winnings, and everyone has equal risk/chances (aside from skill/luck).
Is DFS legal in Texas?
Texas AG opinion KP-0057 concluded paid DFS is illegal gambling under Penal Code 47.02.
Before entering journalism, Martin worked for five years at William Hill in London, gaining first-hand industry knowledge that now informs his betting insights and safety evaluations.
His reporting and analysis have been featured in major outlets including:
- The Independent
- USA Today
- The Sun
- Legal Sports Report
- PlayUSA
- SportsLine (CBS) — where he appears as "The Guru"
- BA in English Literature
- MA in Creative Writing
- Postgraduate journalism qualifications
