WOYALE.
What's legal
Texas has no legal sports betting, online or in person, and has never licensed a sportsbook. Penal Code section 47.02 makes it a Class C misdemeanor to bet on the result of a game or contest, or on the outcome of an election. Section 47.01 defines bookmaking as taking more than five bets, or more than $1,000 in bets, in 24 hours. The defenses are narrow: gambling in a private place where nobody profits except through winnings and every player faces the same odds, the state lottery, charitable bingo and raffles, and pari-mutuel racing under the Texas Racing Act.
Because there is no licensed market, there is no Texas regulator to turn to if an online bet goes wrong.
Crypto and offshore sites
With no licensed market there is no licensed sportsbook in Texas to take crypto. Licensed US sportsbooks in other states generally do not take crypto deposits either. Offshore crypto sportsbooks are not licensed in Texas or any other state, and no Texas agency oversees them. Prediction-market apps such as Kalshi and Polymarket are available to Texans, but whether state law reaches them is contested.
What's changing
Sports betting would need a constitutional amendment approved by voters. Two 2025 proposals, HJR 134 by Rep. Sam Harless and SJR 16 by Sen. Carol Alvarado, were referred to the State Affairs committees and went no further. The Legislature meets in odd-numbered years, so there was no regular session in 2026. The 90th Legislature convenes on January 12, 2027.
In March 2026 Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued interim charges directing the Senate State Affairs Committee to study prediction markets and the use of federal law to get around Texas gambling prohibitions, ahead of the 2027 session.
Tax note
Texas has no personal income tax, and the state constitution bars one (Art. VIII, sec. 24-a). Federal tax still applies to gambling winnings at your ordinary rate. Keep records of wins and losses. The Woyale tax guides show a worked example.
Common questions
Is sports betting legal in Texas?
No. There are no licensed sportsbooks, and a constitutional amendment would be needed to change that.
When could Texas legalize sports betting?
The earliest window is the session that starts January 12, 2027. Any amendment would then need a statewide vote.
Is a crypto sportsbook legal in Texas?
No. Offshore crypto books are unlicensed in every US state, and Texas has no licensed market.