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Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas? 2026 Legislature Tracker
Last Updated: March 1, 2026
Sports betting is not legal in Texas as of March 2026. No legislation has passed, and no regulatory framework exists. The next opportunity is the 2027 Texas legislative session, which convenes in January 2027. The primary obstacle remains Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has blocked sports betting bills from reaching a Senate floor vote in every session since 2019.
Last Updated: March 2026
Key Takeaways
- Sports betting is illegal in Texas. No bill has passed either chamber. The next legislative window is January–June 2027.
- Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has single-handedly blocked Senate floor votes on sports betting since 2019, using his authority as presiding officer.
- Legalization requires a constitutional amendment: two-thirds supermajority in both chambers plus a statewide voter referendum.
- Flutter (FanDuel/FanDuel), DraftKings, and other operators spent over $20 million lobbying the 2025 Texas legislature with no result.
- Legal alternatives for Texas residents include DFS, Kalshi event contracts, sweepstakes platforms (Fliff), and horse racing.
Why Hasn’t Texas Legalized Sports Betting?
Texas is the largest US state by population without legal sports betting — its 30 million residents generate an estimated $6–9 billion in annual illegal and offshore sports betting handle. The barrier is not public opinion: polling consistently shows 55–60% of Texans support legalization. The barrier is structural and political.
The Texas legislature meets only in odd-numbered years for a 140-day session. This biennial schedule means a missed opportunity delays legalization by two full years. The 2025 session produced multiple sports betting bills in the House, but none reached a Senate floor vote.
| Session | House Action | Senate Action | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 (86th) | Filed, no hearing | Blocked by Patrick | Failed |
| 2021 (87th) | Committee hearing | Blocked by Patrick | Failed |
| 2023 (88th) | Passed committee | Blocked by Patrick | Failed |
| 2025 (89th) | Passed committee, floor debate | Blocked by Patrick | Failed |
Who Is Blocking Sports Betting in the Texas Senate?
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick controls the Texas Senate’s legislative calendar. As presiding officer, he determines which bills receive committee assignments and floor votes. Patrick has consistently refused to allow sports betting bills to advance, citing moral opposition to gambling expansion and concerns about addiction.
This is not a majority-rule question. The Texas House has shown increasing support — sports betting bills received favorable committee votes and floor debate in 2025. The structural bottleneck is entirely in the Senate, where Patrick’s procedural authority overrides the preferences of individual senators who might vote yes.
Patrick’s position is reinforced by tribal opposition (the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe and Alabama-Coushatta Tribe oppose commercial sports betting), his evangelical conservative base, and the absence of term-limit pressure.
What Would Legalization Require?
Because sports betting falls under gambling, legalization in Texas requires amending the state constitution. The process has three mandatory steps:
- Joint resolution: Both the House and Senate must pass a joint resolution proposing the constitutional amendment, requiring a two-thirds supermajority (100 of 150 House members, 21 of 31 senators).
- Voter referendum: The amendment goes on a statewide ballot. Simple majority of voters approves it.
- Enabling legislation: A separate bill creates the regulatory framework — licensing, tax rates, operator requirements. This requires only a simple majority.
The two-thirds threshold is the critical obstacle. Even if Patrick allowed a floor vote, 21 of 31 senators would need to vote yes. Our analysis of the current Senate composition suggests 16–19 senators would support a sports betting amendment, short of the 21 required.
How Much Have Operators Spent Lobbying Texas?
The 2025 session saw the largest lobbying effort for sports betting in Texas history. Public filings and media reports indicate combined spending exceeded $20 million from major operators.
| Entity | Estimated 2025 Lobbying Spend | Primary Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Flutter (FanDuel parent) | $7–8 million | Direct lobbying + TV advertising |
| DraftKings | $5–6 million | Grassroots campaigns + PAC contributions |
| BetMGM / MGM Resorts | $3–4 million | Coalition with professional sports teams |
| Bally’s / Fanatics | $2–3 million | Stadium partnerships |
| Texas professional sports teams | $2–3 million | Joint operator-team lobbying |
Despite this investment, the 2025 session ended without a bill reaching the Senate floor. Operators are expected to increase spending for the 2027 session.
Track market odds on Texas sports betting legalization and other policy events on the Odds Reference dashboard, where prediction markets from Kalshi and Polymarket price the probability of state-by-state legalization.
What Can You Legally Bet on in Texas Right Now?
Texas residents have several legal alternatives to sports betting, each operating under different regulatory frameworks.
| Product | Legal in Texas? | Regulatory Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Daily fantasy sports (DFS) | Yes | UIGEA fantasy sports exemption |
| Pick’em DFS (PrizePicks, Underdog) | Yes | DFS exemption (contested in some states) |
| Kalshi event contracts | Yes | CFTC-regulated exchange |
| Fliff (sweepstakes) | Yes | Sweepstakes model |
| Horse racing | Yes | Texas Racing Commission |
| Tribal casino (slots, table games) | Yes (limited) | Federal tribal compacts |
| Online sports betting | No | Prohibited |
| Retail sports betting | No | Prohibited |
DFS is the most widely used alternative. For full platform availability, see our DFS legal states guide. For tax implications of these alternatives, see our sports betting tax guide.
What Is the Outlook for the 2027 Session?
The 2027 legislative session is the next realistic opportunity. Several variables will determine whether sports betting advances:
Our analysis of prediction market pricing and legislative composition suggests legalization probability in 2027 is in the 15-25% range. The most likely path requires Patrick to allow a floor vote as part of a broader deal — perhaps pairing sports betting with tribal gaming expansion. Growing state revenue pressure and competitive dynamics from neighboring Louisiana (legalized 2022) add momentum, but the two-thirds supermajority requirement creates a higher bar than most states.
Compare operator odds and market selection across legal states using our best sportsbooks comparison.
FAQ
Q: When will sports betting be legal in Texas?
A: The next legislative window is the 2027 Texas legislature, which convenes in January 2027. Texas has a biennial legislature — it only meets in odd-numbered years for 140 days. Even if a sports betting bill passes both chambers, it requires a two-thirds supermajority in each because legalization would amend the state constitution and trigger a statewide voter referendum.
Q: Why hasn’t Texas legalized sports betting?
A: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has blocked sports betting bills from reaching a Senate floor vote in every session since 2019. As presiding officer of the Texas Senate, Patrick controls which bills receive committee hearings and floor votes. Despite polling showing 55–60% of Texas voters supporting legalization, Patrick has cited moral opposition and concerns about gambling addiction.
Q: What can I bet on legally in Texas?
A: Texas residents can legally play daily fantasy sports (DFS) on DraftKings and FanDuel, trade event contracts on Kalshi, and use sweepstakes platforms like Fliff. Horse racing and greyhound racing are legal through licensed tracks. Tribal casinos operate under federal compacts but do not currently offer sports betting. See our DFS legal states guide for full details.
Q: Would Texas tax sports betting winnings?
A: Texas has no state income tax, so there would be no state-level tax on sports betting winnings. Federal gambling taxes would still apply. This makes Texas one of the most bettor-friendly states for tax purposes — comparable to Nevada, Florida, and Washington. See our gambling tax calculator for federal tax estimates.