Texas Online Gambling: Quick Facts
- Legal Texas online gambling options: None
- Legal gambling age: 21
- Who regulates Texas online gambling? N/A
- Legal mobile gambling? No
- Do I need to be physically located in Texas to gamble online? N/A
- Do I need to be a resident of Texas to gamble online? N/A
- Sports avalable to bet on: Horse racing at racetracks only.
- What can't I bet on? Sports, casino, poker.
A Brief History of Texas Online Gambling
Texas online gambling could be on the way, but it isn't here yet. Delaware was the first state to legalize online casino gaming in 2012. This was monumental at the time, but it did not provide a spark throughout the nation. Online casino gaming was allowed long before sports betting, but it did not gain a significant amount of popularity in the nation.
Sports betting became legal throughout the United States in 2018. New Jersey battled the professional sports leagues and the NCAA all the way to the Supreme Court to enact the form of gambling.
The leagues claimed that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act denied sports betting in America. The Supreme Court disagreed, and they overturned PASPA. Many states were quick to write sports betting bills.
Texas was not far behind most states, but the legislature has not made significant progress towards sports betting. In 2019, the first attempt was made in the Texas government, but this was quickly denied.
The 2019 bill failed to move out of the House of Representatives. In 2020, there were no sports betting bills discussed. This was most likely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, there has been a surge of sports betting bills in Texas. Three sports betting laws are being discussed currently, and one of these bills would allow sports teams to operate sportsbooks. Texas is loaded with professional sports franchises, which would generate a lot of gambling revenue.
Millions of dollars in revenue would be generated from sports betting, but the state will only benefit if they find a way to pass a bill.
Texas Online Gambling: The Current Law
There are no online gambling laws in Texas. The state legislature is trying to legalize sports betting, but it’s unlikely that they will enact online casino gaming.
Legal Online Sportsbooks
Legal online sportsbooks would be plentiful in Texas, depending on the framework that the legislature utilized. Texas is one of the nation’s largest states with multiple sports teams, so big providers would want to operate in the state. Expect DraftKings, FanDuel, and William Hill to apply for licenses in Texas.
Sports Betting in Texas
Texas has the potential to be an epic sports betting state. There are a lot of people who live in Texas, and the state accumulates numerous visitors. Additionally, Texas hosts eight professional sports teams across the four major sports leagues.
These teams would be able to host sportsbooks which will help revenue grow in the state. If Texas legalizes sports betting, here are the wagers that you will be able to place.
To be a great bettor, you should use a variety of bets and study sportsbooks to find a line that you can take advantage of when Texas legalizes sports wagering.
Legal Online Casinos
Texas has no legal online casino gaming options. It does not appear like Texas will legalize online casino gaming before sports betting.
If Texas citizens want to play casino games, they must go to the state’s one landlocked location. The one casino is called Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel in Eagle Pass, TX.
Legal Online Poker
Poker is legal in Texas in card rooms around the state. These are plentiful, unlike landlocked casinos. The card rooms are trendy, which makes it unlikely that Texas will enact online poker.
How to Set Up a Texas Online Gambling Account
When Texas legalizes online gambling, you will have the ability to sign up from your phone or computer. To set up an account, download a legal sportsbook app or go to a book’s website.
You will have to enter a few essential personal details like your name, address, date of birth, and social security number. The social security number is critical to confirm your legality, so do not worry about giving this code.
A strong password will help you secure your Texas online gambling account. You should utilize numbers, letters, and symbols in your password.
Texas Banking Methods
Legal sportsbooks offer the same payment methods. Some offer more than others, but you will be able to find an accessible payment method when Texas legalizes online sports betting. The main payment methods are credit/debit card, PayPal, Neteller, PayNearMe, e-Check through ACH Payments, or a banking wire.
You have nothing to worry about for security purposes. Texas sportsbooks will secure your financial information to prevent any hacking.
The Future of Online Gambling in Texas
Sports betting could be legalized in Texas in 2021, but it’s more likely that it will be enacted in 2022. Since there were no sports betting bills in 2020, the state did not discuss the form of gambling for an entire year.
I expect that this will extend negotiations in 2021, causing the legislative process to expand to 2022. However, there is still a chance for Texas to pass a sports betting bill in 2021.
