Texas Sports Betting Legalization Tracker (2026)
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Martin Green
- February 1, 2026
Texas does not have state-regulated sports betting today. The only realistic path to legalization runs through the Legislature and a statewide vote, because sports wagering would require a Texas constitutional amendment approved by two-thirds of each chamber and then voters.
This tracker is updated whenever a bill is filed, referred, scheduled for hearing, voted, or amended.
Latest Texas Sports Betting Bills (Current Tracker)
Below are the major filed measures from the most recent regular session that specifically mention sports wagering/sports betting.
Filed bills and where they stand
HJR 134 (House Joint Resolution) — Sports wagering amendment
- What it is: A proposed constitutional amendment to authorize the Legislature to legalize wagering on certain sporting events.
- Status: Referred to House State Affairs on March 19, 2025 (no further action shown).
- Senate companion: SJR 65 (Identical).
SJR 65 (Senate Joint Resolution) — Senate companion to HJR 134
- What it is: Identical constitutional amendment language to legalize wagering on certain sporting events.
- Status: Referred to Senate State Affairs on March 10, 2025 (no further action shown).
HJR 137 — Casino gaming + sports wagering amendment (bundled approach)
- What it is: A constitutional amendment proposal authorizing the Legislature to regulate casino gaming and sports wagering by general law (a combined package).
- Status: Referred to House State Affairs on March 19, 2025 (no further action shown).
SJR 82 — Senate casino gaming + sports wagering amendment
- What it is: A constitutional amendment proposal to authorize regulation of casino gaming and sports wagering, including establishing/empowering a state regulatory structure as described in the resolution.
- Status: Referred to Senate State Affairs on March 25, 2025 (no further action shown).
Note: These are proposed constitutional amendments, not “sportsbook licensing bills.” Even if one passed, Texas would still need (1) voter approval and (2) enabling legislation/rules to actually launch regulated betting.
What Has to Happen for Sports Betting to Become Legal in Texas
Texas isn’t a “simple bill → governor signs → apps launch” state for sports betting.
Step 1 — The Legislature must pass a constitutional amendment proposal
A proposed amendment must pass by two-thirds of all members elected to each chamber (House and Senate).
Step 2 — Voters must approve it statewide
If the Legislature approves the proposal, Texans then vote on it in a statewide election (the resolution itself specifies the election date).
Step 3 — Texas still needs “how it works” law + regulation
Even after an amendment passes, Texas needs the operational layer: who can offer betting, taxes/fees, regulator authority, licensing rules, consumer protections, and launch timelines.
Step 4 — Timing constraint: regular sessions are biennial
Texas meets in regular session on the second Tuesday in January of odd-numbered years, with a maximum regular session length of 140 days (special sessions are possible but not guaranteed).
Recent History (Why Texans Keep Hearing “Close, But Not Yet”)
In 2023, the Texas House took the biggest step seen in years by passing a sports betting constitutional amendment proposal, but the effort did not advance in the Senate.
- 2023 House vote milestone: Texas Tribune reported the House passed the sports-betting proposal 97–44 during that push.
- The practical takeaway: House support can exist, but Senate leadership and votes remain the main bottleneck.
Key Political Signals to Watch (What Actually Moves Odds)
Governor Greg Abbott
Abbott publicly expressed support for legalizing online sports betting, saying (in a Texas Take interview) he didn’t object to it.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (Senate gatekeeper)
Multiple reports note Patrick has emphasized he won’t move gambling expansion without strong GOP Senate support.
What We’re Watching Next
- New filings (especially early in the next odd-year session)
- Committee hearings scheduled in State Affairs (House/Senate)
- Any shift toward a “sports betting only” bill vs “casino + sports betting” bundle (HJR 134 vs HJR 137)
- Public statements from Senate leadership and major statewide officeholders
Read Next:
- When will Texas legalize sports betting?
- Legal basics: Is sports betting legal in Texas?
- Edge case: Office pools & squares in Texas
FAQs (Texas Sports Betting Bill Tracker)
Is there an active Texas sports betting bill right now?
The most recent high-profile measures (HJR 134 / SJR 65 and HJR 137 / SJR 82) show “in committee” as their last visible action in 2025, with no later movement on the official history pages.
What’s the latest on HJR 134?
HJR 134’s last recorded action is referral to House State Affairs on March 19, 2025.
Does Texas need a constitutional amendment to legalize sports betting?
Yes—Texas constitutional amendments must pass by two-thirds of each chamber, then go to voters.
When is the next regular Texas legislative session?
Texas regular sessions convene in odd-numbered years and run up to 140 days.
Could sports betting pass in a special session?
It’s possible in theory because the governor can call the Legislature back, but special sessions are limited to the governor’s agenda and are not automatic.
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
