Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas

How To Sports Bet In Texas (Updated November 2024)

Welcome to the Props.com “Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas” guide! If you’re asking that question, you likely want to find out the legal status of sports betting in Texas, and which Texas sports betting sites are legal right now.

Big-name online betting sites like FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook aren’t legal in the Texas sports betting market yet. While interest groups like the Texas Sports Betting Alliance continue to push the effort to legalize sports betting, lawmakers in the Lone Star State have yet to agree on any of many sports betting bills introduced in legislative chambers in recent years.

You don’t have to miss out on sports betting-style action if you’re located in Texas, however. This guide presents the best legal daily fantasy sports and sweepstakes sports picks apps available in the state right now.

Texas DFS sites like Underdog Fantasy offer an extensive selection of fantasy player props, which function much like prop betting parlays. On a given day, you can find player props for nearly every significant player in every major sports at Underdog.

This guide to legal Texas sports betting focuses on fantasy props sites like Underdog Fantasy. While Underdog isn’t technically a sports betting site, it does offer sports-betting-style action.

Let’s take a look at Underdog Fantasy and some of the other best legal sports betting alternatives available in Texas.

Our Top Legal Sports Betting Alternatives In Texas

Top Texas Betting Sites – Table Of Contents

What Texas Sports Gaming Apps Are Legal?

Top TX Sports Betting Apps & Daily Fantasy Sites

Fantasy Player Props Sites

Sweepstakes Online Sports Betting Sites

Top Sites For Fantasy Player Props In Texas

Top Sweepstakes Betting Sites In Texas

Texas Sports Betting Legalization Outlook

Texas Betting Apps FAQ

App NameTypeProp Betting/Pick'em Games?
Fliff Sweepstakes GamingYes
Underdog Fantasy Daily Fantasy SportsYes
Boom Fantasy Daily Fantasy SportsYes
PrizePicks Daily Fantasy SportsYes
ParlayPlay Daily Fantasy SportsYes
OwnersBox Daily Fantasy SportsYes

What Texas Sports Gaming Apps Are Legal?

Texas is known for having some extremely passionate sports fans. There are a large number of professional teams across multiple sports based in the state including the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets. Unfortunately, lawmakers here have chosen to push against the outright legalization of traditional sports betting since the removal of PASPA in 2018.

A number of very popular daily fantasy sports and sweepstakes sports pick apps are, however, available in Texas that offer a similar experience to traditional online sportsbooks. Some of the most popular of those apps can be found here.

It remains unclear when lawmakers in Texas will agree to formally allow legal sports betting. In the meantime, the apps above serve as the best substitute. Most of these platforms are available as Android betting apps as well as Apple iOS online sports betting apps.

Learn a little more about what each of these apps offers to their members here.

Top TX Sports Betting Apps & Daily Fantasy Sites

Fantasy Player Props Sites

Modern-day daily fantasy sports sites offer fantasy player props, which play just like player prop bet parlays at a sportsbook. Most DFS sites require players to place at least two player prop entries on a ticket, making these contests closely resemble prop betting parlays.

For example, a two-pick ticket at Underdog Fantasy pays 3x your entry fee if it wins. Like a parlay, both picks on the ticket must hit for the entry to pay off.

Other top Texas fantasy player prop sites like Boom Fantasy and ThriveFantasy use a similar system of parlay-style rules and payout.

Fantasy prop sites generally cover all major sports leagues and even some college sports. For example, on an NFL Sunday you might find the following Dallas Cowboys lines at Underdog Fantasy:

  • Dak Prescott – Higher or Lower than 250.5 passing yards
  • Tony Pollard – Higher or Lower than 40.5 receiving yards
  • CeeDee Lamb – Higher or Lower than 7.0 receptions

You must pick at least two entries from different teams, so you can’t fill your ticket with just Dallas Cowboys lines. You’ll find fantasy props available for just about every significant offensive player in the NFL on game day, however, including the major players from the Texas sports teams.

You can place a minimum of two picks, or up to five on a single ticket at Underdog. The five-pick ticket pays 20x your entry fee if you get all five picks right.

Sweepstakes Online Sports Betting Sites

Of the apps and sites recommended in this Texas betting sites guide, Fliff comes the closest to replicating a proper mobile sports betting site.

Fliff offers moneyline, point spread, over/under, and prop betting under sweepstakes gaming rules. You don’t technically play for real money at Fliff, but you can play for sweepstakes credit that can be redeemed for cash prizes.

For more on how Fliff works, check out our full review.

Top Sites For Fantasy Player Props In Texas

Underdog Fantasy

Texas sports bettors can turn to Underdog Fantasy for the best legal sports alternative available in the state.

Underdog carries the best selection of player props of any DFS site. You’ll find hundreds of lines available from the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL on a given game day.

Player Props At Underdog Fantasy Texas

Underdog calls its player props “Pick’em” games, and this game format has vaulted Underdog into status as one of the most popular sports gaming sites available in the U.S.

The Pick’em games available at Underdog Fantasy include:

  • Pick’em Higher/Lower – You choose if a player will go over or under a certain stat.
  • Pick’em Rivals – You pick an athlete to outperform another in a specific stat.

You must make at least two picks, and can place up to five on a single entry. Much like a prop bet parlay, you have to win all picks on a Standard Pick’em ticket for the entry to pay off.

Players can also place an Insured Pick’em, which pays even if you get one leg wrong. The overall payouts on Insured Pick’ems are lower, however, even if you hit all of your picks.

The payout table for Underdog Fantasy Pick’em games looks like this:

Underdog Fantasy Texas Pick’em Payout Table
Number of PicksStandard Upside
Two3x
Three6x
Four10x
Five20x
Six25x
Seven40x
Eight80x

An example of a Pick’em entry could involve making a pick from the following lines:

  • Luka Doncic – Higher or Lower than 32.5 points (Higher/Lower)
  • Kyrie Irving – Higher or Lower than 25.5 points (Higher/Lower)
  • Dak Prescott (+3.5) vs. Brock Purdy – Most Passing Attempts (Rivals)
  • Tony Pollard (+1.5) vs. Austin Ekeler – Most Receptions (Rivals)

Get all four of these entries correct on a Standard Pick’em, and you win 10x your entry fee. If you play an Insured Pick’em, you win 6x if you hit all four, and 3x if you hit three of four.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas? Underdog Fantasy app screenshot Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas? Underdog Fantasy app screenshot

Underdog Fantasy TX Bonus Offer

Underdog Fantasy welcomes Texas sports betting enthusiasts with a 50% deposit match up to $250. Keep in mind that while you’re not technically placing sports wagers, you’re hitting the ground running with an extra $100 to use on fantasy props at Underdog Fantasy TX.

Why Underdog Fantasy

The experts here at Props.com pick Underdog Fantasy as the top overall legal sports gaming site currently available in Texas. Even when legal sports betting markets do arrive in the Lone Star State, you’ll probably rely on Underdog as a go-to choice for player props.

Sleeper Fantasy

Sleeper Fantasy competes with Underdog Fantasy for the top spot among the best all-around fantasy props apps available in Texas.

Texas sports-betting enthusiasts will definitely enjoy the Sleeper Picks games, which offer the biggest potential payouts available at any U.S. fantasy props site.

These top-notch fantasy player prop games include features not seen at any other Texas daily fantasy site.

Player Props At Sleeper TX

Navigate to the “Picks” tab at the bottom of the Sleeper app lobby to see the Sleeper Picks lines available on a given day.

Sleeper Picks lines cover all four major U.S. sports leagues, as well as college football and college basketball. You can make 2-8 picks on a single entry.

Sleeper Picks stand out from other fantasy player prop games by adding individual multipliers for each pick. This feature represents something pretty close to the variable sports betting odds that you’ll find at an online sportsbook.

The total payout for a Sleeper Picks ticket can go up to 100x your entry fee. The final payout multiplier depends on the number of picks and the individual multipliers for each pick.

Let’s take a look at an example Picks ticket from a recent day of NBA action:

  • Victor Wembanyama 11.5 rebounds – More (1.63x) or Less (1.94x multiplier)
  • Joel Embiid 11.5 rebounds – More (1.82x multiplier) or Less (1.73x multiplier)
  • Luka Doncic 37.5 points + assists – More (1.72x) or Less (1.83x multiplier)
  • Derrick Lively II 0.5 double-double – More (1.30x) or Less (2.62x multiplier)

Let’s say you chose the “Less” option on all four of these lines, and created a four-way ticket. The four individual multipliers combined offer a 16.09x payout.

Is sports betting legal in Texas? Sleeper Fantasy Screenshots

Sleeper Texas Bonus Offer

Texas players can sign up for a new Sleeper Fantasy account through the “CLAIM OFFER” link below, and unlock a 100% deposit match up to $100.

Be sure to enter the promo code “PROPS” when prompted to make sure you get your welcome bonus.

Why Sleeper Texas

Sleeper Fantasy offers an innovative player props game type with the “Picks” contests, with unique odds for each pick and the chance to win a 100x payout.

No matter what the status of legal sports betting in Texas, you’ll likely make Sleeper Fantasy one of your top choices for sports gaming for years to come.

Check out our full review of Sleeper Fantasy.

Boom Fantasy

Boom Fantasy stands out as another top choice for fantasy player props in Texas. Let’s take a look at the game types available at Boom.

Player Props At Boom Fantasy Texas

Fantasy player props at Boom Fantasy fall into three categories:

  • Toss-Up – You choose one of two players in a head-to-head contest in a particular statistical category. For example, you might pick between Dak Prescott and Patrick Mahomes for most passing yards.
  • Favorite – Choose if a player will go over or under a given stat. For instance, you may pick Luka Doncic to go over 32.5 points in a given game.
  • Long Shot – Choose if a player will exceed a line that’s pushed well above their average performance. Long shots are tough to win, but the payouts go up to 40x.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas? Boom Fantasy app screenshot

Boom Fantasy TX Bonus Offer

You can sign up for a new Boom Fantasy account in Texas and start your journey at Boom with a $100 risk-free entry. After signing up, make your initial deposit, and place your first entry.

If that first play loses, Boom Fantasy will issue you a bonus entry credit equal to the amount of your first play, up to a $100 cap.

If you win your first entry, you receive the normal winnings from the ticket, and the risk-free insurance credit doesn’t apply.

Why Boom Fantasy

Until legalized sports betting arrives in Texas, DFS player prop sites like Boom Fantasy offer the best way to enjoy sports-betting-style action.

The selection of player prop contests at Boom should keep just about any sports fan busy on game nights, even after legal online sportsbooks launch in the state.

  • Learn more about Boom Fantasy with our review.

Mojo Fantasy

Mojo Fantasy comes pretty close to playing as a proper Texas sports betting site, while still remaining a daily fantasy site in terms of legality.

Mojo creates daily fantasy player props from actual sportsbook odds, which come from Mojo’s online sportsbook. While Mojo Sportsbook isn’t accessible from Texas, the innovative Mojo Fantasy DFS site is legal and available.

Player Props At Mojo Fantasy Texas

Mojo Fantasy requires players to pick a lineup of props, all of which come from real sportsbook lines. The better the lineup performs, the more money you win.

Mojo uses the tagline “where Sportsbook meets Fantasy,” and the games there really do feel like a hybrid of sports betting, daily fantasy sports legal games and the stock market.

Is sports betting legal in Texas? Mojo Fantasy app screenshots

Mojo Fantasy TX Bonus Offer

Mojo Fantasy welcome Texas players with a 100% deposit match up to $100. This offer compares pretty favorably to other DFS welcome bonuses in Texas.

Why Mojo Fantasy

Mojo Fantasy allows access to an expanded menu of player props, going beyond the over/under contest types that dominate the game selection at other DFS sites.

Be sure to check out our Mojo Fantasy review.

ParlayPlay

The ParlayPlay DFS app features (you guessed it) parlays built around fantasy player props. The games at ParlayPlay feature the familiar over/under format, as well as another unique game type known as “Hit It.”

Player Props At ParlayPlay Texas

The fantasy props available at ParlayPlay include:

  • More/Less – Much like player prop bets, you choose whether a player will go over or under a certain stat line. You can make 2-4 picks on a More/Less entry, with payouts ranging between 3x and 10x based on number of picks.
  • Hit It – Hit It contests are two-pick entries involving stat ranges on players. For example, you might decide if Luka Doncic will score 0-25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40, or 41+ points.

Is sports betting legal in Texas? ParlayPlay app screenshots

ParlayPlay TX Bonus Offer

Sign up for a ParlayPlay account as a new player, and get a 100% deposit match up to $100 as a welcome bonus. You’ll also get a $5 risk-free entry, with no deposit required.

Why ParlayPlay

The ParlayPlay app gives Texas players another alternative for player props, and the Hit It games are unique among DFS sites.

You’ll find plenty of action on ParlayPlay on a given game night in the four major U.S. sports leagues.

  • Take a look at our ParlayPlay review here.

Sweepstakes Texas Betting Apps

Fliff

Unlike the other sports gaming apps reviewed in this guide, Fliff doesn’t function as a daily fantasy sports app. Out of all of the brands listed on this page, Fliff comes the closest to actually qualifying in the “Texas sports betting apps” category.

Fliff offers a basic menu of standard sports betting lines, including moneyline, point spread, and totals. The betting menu at Fliff includes just about every game from all four major U.S. sports, along with college football and college basketball.

Fliff functions very much like a proper mobile betting app, but you don’t technically wager with real cash. Instead, you bet with sweepstakes credits, which can then be redeemed for cash prizes.

Is sports betting legal in Texas? Fliff app screenshots

Fliff Bonus Offer

Fliff welcomes new players with a 100% Fliff Cash match up to $100. Purchase $100 in Fliff Coins (play money credits), and Fliff will award $100 in bonus Fliff Cash (sweepstakes credits).

Why Fliff

If you’re looking for true sports betting action, Fliff delivers a reasonable substitute. We still recommend Underdog Fantasy as a better all-around sports gaming site, but you’ll find plenty of traditional sports betting lines at Fliff.

PrizePicks

Last, but not least in this guide to mobile sports betting substitutes in Texas is PrizePicks. This is another daily fantasy sports app that provides one of the largest collections of contests of any DFS operator. It also has a very modern UI that makes it extremely easy to find the exact contest you are looking for.

The creators of PrizePicks seem to be focused on making it easy to join contests. After making a deposit, contests can be joined in as little as a minute. Choosing athletes is extremely easy and the app features clear point values to make it easy for players to decide who to pick.

Members here have access to two different contest types. The first is called Flex Play, giving players the chance to earn money, even if they make incorrect roster picks. The second is called Power Play, which provides far larger payout opportunities yet any incorrect pick results in a lost contest.

PrizePicks is offering contests on all major US sports leagues including the NFL, MLB, NBA, and more. It is without a doubt one of the best substitutes to Texas online sports betting and has an overall design and UI that feels in many ways like a traditional sportsbook.

PrizePicks Texas Promo

There is no current PrizePicks TX sign-up bonus for Props readers, but check back with this page for the latest updates on PrizePicks bonus offers.

Why choose PrizePicks?

PrizePicks is a solid option for Texas bettors looking for a legal way to earn money on their favorite sports. It has been around since 2014 and has remained one of the top DFS operators in the US ever since. With a modern design and one of the largest collections of sports contests, this is a great option until a real Texas sports betting site is launched.

Texas Sports Betting Legalization Outlook

For decades, Texas has been considered one of the more restrictive states when it comes to gambling. Despite the removal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protect Act (PASPA) in 2018, lawmakers here have been very hesitant to embrace the sports betting industry. Opinions here are slowly changing, however, as more politicians in the state recognize the massive tax revenue potential from legalized sports gambling.

Several bills to legalize sports betting have appeared in Texas over the last few years. None of these Texas sports betting bills have gained support in both the House and Senate. The current Texas legislative session is set to end at the end of May and hopes for a new sports betting bill to gain approval this year are dwindling.

The latest bill, called HB 1942, is slowly inching forward in the state legislature. This bill is currently being reviewed in the House. Even if approved here, it will need to receive a green light in the Senate before it could be sent to Governor Abbot’s office for the final stamp of approval. Only then would Texas sports betting be made legal.

A group known as the Texas Sports Betting Alliance continues to heavily push for the launch of Texas online sportsbooks. A separate bill to legalize casino gambling and online casino games in Texas is being considered, too.

It remains a long shot for this Texas sports betting bill, HB 1942, to gain approval this year. There is certainly a chance for approval in 2024, though. Proponents argue that Texas is losing up to $700 million in tax revenue each year with its online sports betting bill.

More politicians see the upside in this industry and a huge number of professional sports athletes and team owners are joining together to get the first Texas sports betting sites launched.

For now, Texas sports fans don’t enjoy access to any legal online gambling options in a technical sense. While there aren’t any full-service Texas sportsbooks operating just yet, Texas residents and visitors can turn to the daily fantasy sports and sweepstakes apps listed in this guide for a an experience that rivals mobile betting action.

It’s difficult to say when Texas sports bettors will gain access to legal online sportsbooks. When sports betting is made legal, however, it’s likely that several of the industry giants will immediately work to break into this huge market. The following sites are not yet legal in Texas, yet likely will be within the next few years.

If and when Texas does legalize sports betting, expect the Lone Star State to become one of the largest sports betting markets in the U.S.

DraftKings Texas

DraftKings is one of the most recognizable brands in the US sports betting industry. Initially starting as a DFS operator, DraftKings has since broken into the traditional legal sports betting industry and is operating in numerous states.

DraftKings Sportsbook Bonus Offer: 

DraftKings is offering a Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets sign-up offer (in all legal DraftKings Sportsbook states; DraftKings currently doesn’t offer online sports betting in Texas).

About This Offer

Make your first bet at DraftKings (minimum $5), and you’ll get $200 in bonus bets added to your account.

Why Choose DraftKings?

Online sports betting sites do not get more established and reputable than DraftKings. This site offers a massive variety of odds on all major domestic and international sports. It also has one of the sleekest designs of any online sportsbook that both new and experienced sports bettors will enjoy.

Note – the bonus included in the link below occasionally changes from DraftKings standard promo. This offer is only available in states in which DraftKings Sportsbook legally operates:

FanDuel Texas

FanDuel is another established, popular online betting site available across much of the United States. Like DraftKings, it features odds on a huge variety of sports and features arguably the best design of any online sportsbook.

FanDuel Sportsbook Bonus Offer: Bet $5 and earn up to $150

FanDuel’s offer differs from many of its competitors. This is an offer that allows new players to wager just $5 for the opportunity to earn $150. This is an interactive bonus that many enjoy and can result in a major boost of funds into players’ accounts.

About This Offer

FanDuel’s bonus offer requires bettors to make a moneyline wager of $5. To receive the $150 bonus, that moneyline bet must be a winner. If that is the case, players will receive $150 in six separate payments automatically credited into their account.

Why Choose FanDuel?

FanDuel is a world-class online sportsbook featuring odds in 15 betting markets and one of the more unique bonuses available. It also has arguably the most user-friendly of any Texas betting site around. Texas bettors looking for a safe and fun online sportsbook will love what FanDuel has to offer.

  • Learn more about what states FanDuel is legal in by clicking here.

Note – the bonus included in the link below occasionally changes from FanDuel’s standard promo. This offer is only available in states in which FanDuel Sportsbook legally operates:

Texas Professional Sports Teams

  • Dallas Cowboys
  • Houston Texans
  • Texas Rangers
  • Houston Astros
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Houston Rockets
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Dallas Stars

Texas College Sports Teams

  • Texas Longhorns
  • Texas A&M Aggies
  • Baylor Bears
  • TCU Horned Frogs

Texas Betting Sites FAQs

Is online sports betting legal in Texas?

No. Texas has not yet approved any legislation to legalize traditional sports betting. Fortunately, a number of excellent apps are available here that offer a similar experience to sports betting. This Texas mobile betting bonuses guide goes through all of the best Texas sportsbook apps currently available, as well as the top bonuses available at each.

Does PrizePicks work in Texas?

Yes. PrizePicks is available in Texas and remains one of the most popular apps used by Texas sports bettors. It is a DFS operator that offers a somewhat similar experience to legal sports betting. Many users also praise the app’s excellent design and solid welcome bonus.

Where can I bet on sports in Texas?

For now, DFS operators offer the best and closest alternative to traditional sports betting. Fliff is another very popular free-to-play app offering sports betting odds. Fliff holds regular sweepstakes that hand out award cash to winners, redeemable for various prizes.

Is DraftKings legal in Texas?

DraftKings Sportsbook does not currently operate in Texas. That could change if lawmakers in the state choose to pass sports betting legislation in the future. Officials within DraftKings have continued to push for Texas to embrace sports betting and it is very likely that its sports betting options will become available here within the next few years.

Is FanDuel legal in Texas?

FanDuel Sportsbook is not currently legal to operate in Texas. Many experts predict this will change within the next few years. The sports betting industry is gaining support within Texas and it’s highly likely that FanDuel will begin offering its services in the state once a sports betting bill is formally approved here.

What sports betting apps are legal in Texas?

All of the apps featured in this guide are currently legal in Texas. That includes Fliff, Boom Fantasy, Underdog Fantasy, ParlayPlay, ThriveFantasy, and Prize Picks.

Is Bovada legal in Texas?

Bovada isn’t legal anywhere in the U.S. Bovada operates as an offshore online gambling site, offering illegal services in the U.S. We don’t recommend playing on Bovada (or any other offshore sports betting sites), as your money and personal information could be at risk.

Check out our Sites Like Bovada guide for a list of the best legal alternatives to Bovada for U.S. players.

Best Sportsbook Promos In Other States

Top TX Sports Betting Apps & Daily Fantasy Sites