The United States is well-known for its deep love of sports. That is doubly true for the Lone Star state of Texas. Texas residents love to watch and play sports, whether basketball, football, baseball, or anything else. While many might want to place a wager on football now and again, many wonder if they have the option. Let’s find out.
Is Sports Betting Legal?
Unfortunately, sports betting is not legal in Texas. Lobbyists have been trying for years to pass a bill allowing land-based and online bookies to operate within the Lone Star State. However, the Texas state government has managed to maintain a pretty firm stance against any form of gambling.
Casinos, as well, are firmly banned in Texas. The only options that Texans have when it comes to gambling are to participate in legal, charity bingo or visit a tribal casino. Some of these tribal casinos do feature the option for sports betting, which has opened some doors for Texan fans.
Land-based Sportsbooks
As we said, land-based sportsbooks are illegal in Texas. However, tribal casinos like the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle or the Naskila Gaming Resort do feature bookmakers within their resorts. As Native Tribes have the right to operate casinos on reserves, the Texas laws do not apply, and residents of the Lone Star state are free to wager on their favorite sports or spin a reel or two.
Furthermore, horse racing is also a popular pastime in Texas. Visitors can place bets on horse racing within the confines of the tracks. However, there are no land-based bookies that you can visit to wager on horse racing. Any bets must be placed on the tracks themselves. Now that we know about land-based bookies, look at TX online casinos and whether you can play there.
Online Sportsbooks
Unlike land-based sportsbooks, online bookies are a legal grey area. While the Texas law prohibits any online gambling, the rules apply only to operating and playing at online casinos within the state borders – which means that Texans are free to log onto online, offshore casinos/sportsbooks.
An excellent example of an offshore bookie that you can access is Bovada. Widely considered among the fastest-paying sportsbooks online, Bovada covers most major sports that Texans are interested in, including football, basketball, and baseball. You may even find odds for motor and auto racing, which has grown in popularity recently.
Bovada also offers some excellent bonuses for newcomers, as well as for seasoned players. The most enticing is, of course, the welcome bonus. By signing up at Bovada, you can get a very generous offer that will help you delve deeper into the industry.
Online Casinos
The laws regarding online sportsbooks apply to online casinos as well. They are in a legal grey area. However, as of 2023, nobody has gotten in trouble in Texas for playing at legal, offshore gambling websites. The following are a couple of online casinos that are suitable for Texans.
· Ducky Luck: possibly one of the best online casinos out there. Ducky Luck accepts crypto-based payments, has hundreds of games to choose from, and comes with some incredible bonuses.
· Red Dog: named after the popular card game, the Red Dog casino is a competitor. Close to 1000 games make Red Dog one of the most popular options for players worldwide.
· Wild Casino: Wild Casino truly lives up to its name. Wild bonuses, games, and rewards have propelled this website to the top of the iGaming pyramid.
The Future of Gambling in Texas
Texas has not yet legalized online or land-based gambling. However, plenty of groups within the state do their best to lobby to legalize the practice. Arguments vary from moral (everybody has a right to choose what they want to do) to practical (legalizing gambling will significantly boost the Texas economy).
In 2023, the Texas state senate voted no on a bill that would legalize gambling. However, the lobbyists got closer than ever to convince the Senate to approve a bill that would legalize gambling. According to some rather trustworthy sources, the next push will come in 2025. Gambling fans and lobbyists remain cautiously optimistic that 2025 will be their year.
Until then, Texans will have to settle for legal horse racing, visiting the various Tribal casinos, or simply trying their luck at the numerous offshore slot-based online casinos and betting websites.
FAQ
Is gambling legal in Texas?
No. As of 2023, land-based gambling is outright illegal in the state of Texas. However, Texans have some legal options if they truly want to try their luck.
Are there native tribal casinos in Texas?
Yes, there are several. Native tribal casinos operate out of native reservations and are governed by different laws. Therefore, the Texas state laws do not have a hold over these establishments.
Can I wager on horse racing in Texas?
Yes, horse race betting is one of the rare forms of legal sports betting in Texas.
Is it possible to gamble online in Texas?
Absolutely. The safest option is to visit legal, licensed, regulated, and reputable offshore online casinos and sportsbooks.
When will gambling be legalized in the Lone Star State?
Lobbyists remain hopeful that gambling will be legal by 2025. However, only time will tell.
