Texas Sports Betting: Legal Status, DFS Apps & Promos

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Texas sports betting is not legal right now, and there’s no clear timeline for when traditional sportsbooks could launch in the state. With the Texas Legislature meeting only in odd-numbered years and strong opposition still in place, legalization is unlikely before at least 2027.

For now, Texans do have legal alternatives. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and pick’em contests are available statewide and allow users to compete for real-money prizes based on player performance. Below, we break down the current state of Texas sports betting, the latest legislative outlook, and the best DFS apps and promos Texans can use today.

Best Texas DFS Pick’em Apps and Welcome Bonuses

While traditional Texas sports betting isn’t available, Texas DFS pick’em apps give residents a legal way to engage with sports using real money. These Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) pick’em contests focus on individual player performance rather than game results, requiring users to select multiple over/under predictions in a single entry.

Texas DFS apps are legal statewide and available to users 18 and older. They’ve become a popular alternative to Texas sports betting, especially during the NFL and NBA seasons, thanks to simple gameplay, fast payouts, and generous welcome bonuses.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas?

No, sports betting is not legal in Texas. The state does not allow online or retail sportsbooks, and residents cannot place traditional sports wagers through apps like DraftKings Sportsbook or FanDuel Sportsbook.

Texas lawmakers have debated sports betting multiple times in recent years, but every serious proposal has stalled before reaching the finish line. While some bills have passed through the Texas House, none have advanced through the Senate, where opposition has remained firm.

As a result, there is currently no legal framework for licensed sportsbooks to operate in Texas. Until state law changes, Texans cannot place traditional sports bets within state borders.

That said, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and pick’em contests continue to operate statewide and remain the primary legal option for Texans who want to engage with sports in a real-money format.

Best DFS Apps in Texas Reviewed

Below are the top Texas DFS pick’em and fantasy apps, each with standout features and current welcome offers.

Underdog Texas: Best Overall DFS App

• Welcome offer:  Play $5, Get $75 in bonus entries with code FOXSPORT.
• Underdog Texas Promo Code: FOXSPORTS
• Best known for: the largest selection of best ball and pick’em contests across major sports.
• App experience & notable features: clean, fast interface; NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college sports support; pick’em and season-long contests available.
• Final take: Underdog Fantasy is the best overall Texas DFS app for players who want variety, strong bonuses, and an easy-to-use experience.

Underdog Fantasy is one of the most popular DFS platforms in the U.S., and it’s widely used in Texas thanks to its intuitive app and deep contest variety. Underdog offers both pick’em contests and best-ball competitions, making it a strong choice for casual players and advanced users alike.

DraftKings Fantasy: Best Texas DFS App for Big Contests

• Welcome offer:  New customers play free for a share of millions in prizes with their first deposit.
• DraftKings Texas Promo Code: None Required
• Best known for: massive prize pools and a wide variety of DFS contest types.
• App experience & notable features: large contest lobby; salary-cap DFS, showdowns, and tournaments; beginner-friendly entry limits.
• Final take: DraftKings Fantasy is a top Texas DFS app for players who want access to large contests and nationally recognized prize pools.

DraftKings Fantasy is one of the most established names in daily fantasy sports and remains a popular option for Texas users. The platform offers contests across nearly every major sport, with formats that appeal to both beginners and experienced DFS players.

Betr Picks: Best Texas Pick’em App for Social Play

• Welcome offer:  Free $10 after signing up plus a 50% deposit match up to $200 with code FOXSPORTS.
• Betr Texas Promo Code: FOXSPORTS
• Best known for: simplified pick’em contests with a social-first experience.
• App experience & notable features: streamlined mobile design; pick’em-only gameplay; injury protection on select entries.
• Final take: Betr is a strong Texas DFS pick’em app for players who want quick entries and a more social DFS experience.

Betr focuses on player-prop pick’em contests rather than traditional lineup building. Its simple format and growing community make it an appealing option for Texas players who prefer fast, easy-to-understand DFS contests.

Sleeper: Best Texas Betting Alternative for Beginners

• Welcome offer: Get your first deposit matched 100% up to $100.
• Best known for: clean design and beginner-friendly pick’em gameplay.
• App experience & notable features: minimal interface; pick’em and daily draft formats; low learning curve for new users.
• Final take: Sleeper is a solid Texas DFS app for players who want straightforward pick’em contests without complexity.

Sleeper is widely used for season-long fantasy leagues but has expanded into DFS pick’em contests available in Texas. Its simple layout and easy gameplay make it a good starting point for newer DFS players.

Boom Fantasy: Best Texas DFS App for Unique Game Formats

• Welcome offer: No Sweat first entry worth up to $100 with code FOXSPORTS.
• Best known for: unique pick’em formats with payout multipliers.
• App experience & notable features: Pick & Spin and SquadRide contests; multiplier-based payouts; seasonal promotions.
• Final take: Boom Fantasy stands out as a Texas DFS app for players looking for non-traditional pick’em contests.

Boom Fantasy offers several twists on standard DFS pick’em games, creating higher-upside formats that feel different from typical over/under contests. It’s a good fit for players who want something more creative.

Dabble: Best Texas No Deposit Bonus

• Welcome offer: $25 no-deposit bonus for new users with code FOX25.
• Best known for: allowing new players to try DFS pick’em without depositing money.
• App experience & notable features: fast signup; beginner-friendly pick’em contests; low-risk entry.
• Final take: Dabble is the best Texas DFS app for beginners who want to try pick’em contests risk-free with a no-deposit bonus.

Dabble gives Texas users a chance to explore DFS pick’em contests without committing their own funds upfront. It’s an easy, low-pressure way to get started with pick’em games in Texas.

Chalkboard: Best Deposit Match DFS Promo in Texas

• Welcome offer: 100% deposit match up to $100 plus a free square.
• Best known for: bonus-heavy pick’em contests and simple gameplay.
• App experience & notable features: easy onboarding; pick’em-focused contests; beginner-friendly structure.
• Final take: Chalkboard is a good Texas DFS option for casual players who want strong deposit match value.

Chalkboard is a DFS pick’em platform built around fast, straightforward gameplay with an emphasis on bonuses. Its 100% deposit match up to $100, plus a free square, makes it one of the strongest deposit match offers available to Texas players who want simple entries and added value on their first contests.

When Could Sports Betting Be Legal in Texas? (2027)

There’s currently no firm timeline for legal sports betting in Texas. The state legislature meets only in odd-numbered years, and despite repeated efforts, sports betting bills have failed to advance far enough to become law.

The most recent push came during the 2023 legislative session, when proposals passed the Texas House but stalled in the Senate. Key opposition—most notably from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick—has continued to block momentum, even as public support and backing from professional sports teams have grown.

Because no legislation advanced during the latest session, the earliest realistic opportunity for Texas sports betting legalization would be 2027, and even that remains uncertain. Until state law changes, Texans will continue to rely on legal alternatives like DFS and pick’em contests rather than traditional sportsbooks.

Texas Sports Betting News and Legislative Updates

📅 May 2018: The U.S. Supreme Court overturns PASPA, allowing states to legalize sports betting individually. Texas lawmakers begin introducing sports betting proposals in subsequent sessions.

📅 January 2021: Multiple sports betting bills are filed in the Texas Legislature, proposing mobile wagering and regulated sportsbooks, but none advance to a full vote.

📅 May 2023: Sports betting legislation passes the Texas House of Representatives but stalls in the Senate, effectively ending legalization efforts for the session.

📅 June 2025: A group of Texas House members publicly states opposition to expanding gambling, signaling continued resistance ahead of future sessions.

Because the Texas Legislature meets only in odd-numbered years, the earliest realistic opportunity for new sports betting legislation is 2027, though passage remains uncertain.

Texas Sports Betting Laws

Gambling policy has long been a contentious issue in the Texas Legislature. Outside of narrowly defined exceptions, such as the Texas Lottery and pari-mutuel horse racing, most forms of gambling are prohibited under state law. As a result, sports betting has faced consistent legal and political roadblocks.

For decades, federal law under the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) effectively prevented Texas from needing to address sports betting directly. After PASPA was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018, states gained the authority to legalize sports betting individually. Since then, Texas lawmakers have introduced several bills aimed at allowing regulated sports wagering, but none have ultimately become law.

Recent Texas Sports Betting Bills

Below is a timeline of notable sports betting-related bills considered by the Texas Legislature in recent years:

• HB 1942 (2023): Proposed legalizing mobile sports betting; passed the House but stalled in the Senate.
• HJR 97 (2021): Sought a constitutional amendment to allow sports betting via voter referendum.
• HB 2070 (2021): Proposed regulation of sports wagering platforms.
• HJR 68 (2021): Companion resolution tied to broader gambling expansion.
• SB 736 (2021): Senate proposal addressing sports betting and gaming oversight.
• HB 1121 (2021): Early framework bill for sports wagering regulation.
• HJR 61 (2019): One of the first post-PASPA efforts to amend the Texas Constitution.
• HB 4040 (2015): A short-lived pre-PASPA proposal with limited scope

What Betting Options Are Legal in Texas Right Now?

Traditional sports betting is not legal in Texas, but the state does allow several other forms of gambling and sports-related wagering. While options are limited compared to regulated sportsbook states, Texans do have legal ways to participate.

Texas Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

Texans can legally play DFS contests, including pick’em games and traditional fantasy formats, through platforms like Underdog, Betr, Sleeper, and others. DFS contests focus on player performance rather than game outcomes and are available to users 18 and older.

Texas does not currently have a specific law that expressly regulates or licenses Daily Fantasy Sports. Because of that, most major national DFS and pick’em operators make their platforms available to Texas users and have operated in the state for years without enforcement action. Availability can vary by operator and contest type, but in practice, Texans have access to many of the same DFS apps offered elsewhere in the U.S.

Texas Lottery 

The Texas Lottery is the most widely available form of state-regulated gambling in Texas. While players can use the official Texas Lottery app to check numbers, scan tickets, and find retailers, lottery tickets must be purchased in person at authorized locations across the state. Online lottery ticket sales are not currently permitted in Texas.

Texas Horse Racing Betting

Texans can legally place wagers on live horse racing at licensed racetracks, including both thoroughbred and quarter horse events. Many tracks also offer simulcast wagering on races held around the country, but all bets must be placed on-site at approved facilities.

Poker Rooms

Texas allows private, membership-based poker clubs that operate under specific legal conditions, including charging time or membership fees instead of taking a percentage of the pot. While these poker rooms continue to operate across the state, their long-term legal status remains unresolved and subject to ongoing scrutiny.

Are There Casinos in Texas?

Texas does not have commercial casinos like those found in Las Vegas or Atlantic City. However, there are two tribal gaming facilities in the state that offer limited forms of gambling:

• Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino (Eagle Pass): Operated by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, this is the closest thing to a full casino in the state.
• Naskila Gaming (near Livingston): An electronic bingo facility operated by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe.

Both operate under federal tribal gaming laws rather than state casino regulations, and neither offers sports betting.

Most Popular Sports and Teams to Bet On in Texas

Texas is the second-largest state in the U.S. by both population and size, and it has one of the deepest sports landscapes in the country. The state is home to 11 professional teams across the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, WNBA, and NWSL, along with a massive college sports presence. If Texas sports betting is ever legalized, interest would span both professional and collegiate levels.

NFL Betting in Texas

Football would almost certainly lead the way if sports betting launches in Texas. The Dallas Cowboys boast one of the largest fan bases in the NFL, with support extending far beyond North Texas. Their home venue, AT&T Stadium, has frequently been cited as a potential hub for in-stadium sportsbooks if state law ever allows it.

The Houston Texans round out the state’s NFL representation. Since debuting in 2002 after the Oilers relocated to Tennessee, the Texans have built a strong regional following and would likely attract significant betting interest in a legal market.

NBA Betting in Texas

Basketball would also play a major role in Texas sports betting, with three NBA franchises located across the state.

The San Antonio Spurs are the most decorated of the group, having won five NBA championships, including their most recent title in 2014–15. The Dallas Mavericks captured their lone championship in 2011 and remain one of the league’s most recognizable brands.

The Houston Rockets add another layer of intrigue, especially given owner Tilman Fertitta’s extensive ties to the gaming industry. Any future sportsbook partnerships involving the Rockets could face added scrutiny depending on how Texas structures its betting laws.\

MLB Betting in Texas

Texas is home to two American League teams: the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers.

The Astros have been one of baseball’s most consistent teams in recent years, with multiple World Series appearances and a championship in 2017. Meanwhile, the Rangers reached the pinnacle more recently, winning the 2023 World Series after a dominant postseason run.

A legalized Texas sports betting market would likely see strong MLB interest throughout the long regular season.

College Sports Betting in Texas

College sports are deeply ingrained in Texas culture, and betting interest would be significant if NCAA wagering is permitted.

Programs like the Texas Longhorns, Texas A&M Aggies, Baylor Bears, TCU Horned Frogs, and Texas Tech Red Raiders regularly appear in postseason competition across football and basketball, drawing national attention and passionate local fan bases.

Texas Responsible Gaming Resources

Whether you’re playing Daily Fantasy Sports or participating in other legal forms of gambling, it’s important to gamble responsibly. Betting and fantasy contests should always be viewed as entertainment, not a way to make guaranteed money.

If gambling stops being fun or begins to cause stress, financial strain, or relationship issues, help is available. Texas residents can access both state and national resources that provide confidential support, education, and treatment options for problem gambling.

• Texas Council on Problem Gambling (TXCPG) = txcpg.org | 📞 763-364-4557
• National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) – ncpgambling.org | 📞 1-800-522-4700 | 📱 Text "HELP" to 800-522-4700 | 💬 Live Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat
• Gamblers Anonymous – gamblersanonymous.org  | 📞 1-855-222-5542

Texas Sports Betting FAQs

Can You Bet on Sports in Texas Right Now?

Not through sportsbooks. Texans cannot legally place sports wagers on game outcomes, spreads, or moneylines. However, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and pick’em contests are available statewide and offer a legal alternative.

What Betting Apps Work in Texas?

While sportsbook apps are not available, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) apps do operate in Texas. Platforms like Underdog Fantasy, DraftKings Fantasy, Sleeper, and others allow Texans to enter DFS and pick’em contests that focus on player performance rather than game outcomes.

Is FanDuel Legal in Texas?

FanDuel Sportsbook is not legal in Texas. However, FanDuel Fantasy contests (DFS) are available to Texas users and can be played legally by adults 18 and older.

Is DraftKings Legal in Texas?

DraftKings Sportsbook is not available in Texas. That said, DraftKings Fantasy and DraftKings Pick6 are accessible to Texas residents and offer DFS-style contests rather than traditional sports betting.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Texas?

Most forms of online gambling are not legal in Texas, including online casinos and sportsbooks. DFS contests are an exception and remain available statewide, operating separately from traditional gambling under current law.

Does Texas Allow Sports Betting Apps?

Texas does not allow regulated sports betting apps. Any app offering traditional wagers on game outcomes is not licensed to operate in the state. DFS and pick’em apps are currently the only legal sports-related betting-style options.

What Is Legal to Gamble on in Texas?

Legal gambling options in Texas include the state lottery, horse racing at licensed tracks, certain poker clubs, and Daily Fantasy Sports contests. Sports betting and online casinos are not permitted.

When Could Texas Legalize Sports Betting?

There is no confirmed timeline for legalization. Because the Texas Legislature meets only in odd-numbered years, the earliest realistic window would be 2027, though passage is far from guaranteed.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in Texas?

The legal gambling age in Texas depends on the activity:

• DFS contests: 18+
• Texas Lottery: 18+
• Horse racing: 18+
• Casinos and poker rooms: typically 21+

Can You Use DFS Apps Like Underdog or PrizePicks in Texas?

Yes. Major DFS and pick’em apps such as Underdog, DraftKings Fantasy, Sleeper, Betr, and others accept Texas users, offering contests based on player statistics rather than game outcomes.

Are DFS and Pick’em Apps Considered Sports Betting in Texas?

No. DFS and pick’em contests are treated differently from sports betting under current Texas law. These contests are based on individual player performance and skill-based competition, not wagering on game results.

What is the best Texas DFS promo code right now?

The best Texas DFS promo depends on how you want to play. Underdog promo code FOXSPORTS offers strong, simple entry-level bet & get bonus: Play $5, Get $75 in bonus entries with code FOXSPORTS. Dabble also stands out with a no-deposit bonus for new users :$25 no-deposit bonus for new users with code FOX25 . These DFS promos give Texans a legal way to play pick’em and fantasy contests using real money.

Here’s a quick reference table you can use:

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