When Will Texas Legalize Sports Betting?
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Martin Green
- February 1, 2026
Texas is one of the biggest potential sports betting markets in the U.S., but legalization is structurally hard here: it likely requires a constitutional amendment (two-thirds vote in both chambers) followed by a statewide election—and Texas only holds regular legislative sessions every other year. So the timeline is less about hype and more about math: votes, calendars, and whether lawmakers pursue a sports-betting-only bill or a broader gambling package.
The 2 Big “Gates” Texas Must Clear
Gate 1 — Two-thirds votes in both chambers
For a constitutional amendment proposal to move forward, it must pass by two-thirds of each chamber.
Gate 2 — Voter approval statewide
After that, Texans vote on the amendment in a statewide election (the proposal sets the election date).
Only after both gates can Texas realistically build the licensing/regulatory system that would allow legal, state-regulated sports betting.
The Calendar Problem (Why “Next Year” Often Isn’t Real)
Texas operates on a biennial schedule: regular sessions begin in January of odd-numbered years and last up to 140 days.
That means if sports betting doesn’t clear the finish line in one session, the next “normal” window can be two years away.
Best-Case Timeline (Aggressive, Everything Breaks Right)
This assumes (1) leadership allows votes, (2) the numbers exist for a two-thirds supermajority, and (3) stakeholders agree on a workable model.
Scenario A: Amendment + enabling structure in the next regular session
- Early 2027 (regular session): Legislature passes a sports betting constitutional amendment proposal (two-thirds in each chamber).
- Late 2027: Texans vote statewide. (Texas has used November elections for constitutional amendments; for example, HJR 102 targeted a November 2023 election date.)
- 2028: If the amendment passes, rulemaking and licensing can begin (either via pre-built enabling language passed in 2027 or via subsequent action).
- Late 2028: Earliest plausible launch window for regulated operations (especially if the framework is clean and “sports betting only,” not bundled with casino gaming).
Best-case takeaway: late 2028 is the earliest plausible “apps are live” outcome under an aggressive timeline.
Realistic Timeline (What Typically Happens in Texas)
This is the “Texas politics + constitutional hurdles + Senate dynamics” version.
- 2027 session: Another big push occurs, but the question is whether it reaches a Senate floor vote. (Recent history shows House progress doesn’t guarantee Senate action.)
- 2029 session: If 2027 stalls, 2029 becomes the next natural window because of the biennial calendar.
- 2030–2031: More realistic “launch” range if the state waits for later sessions or if the framework is bundled with casinos (which can complicate coalition-building and regulatory design).
Realistic takeaway: if Texas doesn’t get a clean run in 2027, the timeline can easily slide into the early 2030s.
What Could Speed It Up (Or Slow It Down)
Factors that can speed it up
- A sports-betting-only amendment that’s easier to coalition-build than casino + sports wagering bundles
- Clear signals from top leadership that a Senate vote will happen
- A well-defined eligibility model (teams/racetracks, etc.) that reduces infighting (example: some proposals specify eligible entities).
Factors that slow it down
- Senate gatekeeping (no committee hearing, no floor calendar)
- Bundling sports betting with casinos (bigger coalition needed; more organized opposition)
- The two-thirds threshold + voter referendum requirement
What Texas Legalization Might Look Like (Based on Filed Proposal Types)
Texas proposals generally fall into two buckets:
- Sports betting-only constitutional amendment (ex: HJR 134 / SJR 65)
- Casino gaming + sports wagering package (ex: HJR 137, SJR 82)
Which bucket lawmakers choose matters because it changes who must agree, what gets negotiated, and how long implementation takes.
Next Reads:
- Bill updates: Texas sports betting bill tracker
- Legal basics: Is sports betting legal in Texas?
- Office pools & squares in Texas
FAQs (When Will Texas Legalize?)
What’s the earliest Texas could legalize sports betting?
Because Texas likely needs a constitutional amendment plus statewide approval, and regular sessions happen in odd years, late 2028 is a reasonable “earliest plausible” launch window under an aggressive scenario.
Could Texas legalize sports betting in 2027?
A 2027 legislative win could set up a 2027 statewide vote, but it still depends on clearing a two-thirds threshold in both chambers and then winning at the ballot box.
Why does everyone say the Senate is the roadblock?
Recent reporting on prior attempts shows House measures can advance while Senate leadership resists moving gambling expansion without sufficient support.
Does the governor support sports betting?
Gov. Greg Abbott has publicly expressed support for legalizing online sports betting.
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
