Top Online Sportsbooks for Texas Bettors that accept US players

Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas?

Texas has some of the strictest gambling laws in the United States. This creates a tricky situation for sports fans who want to bet on their favorite teams. The state's stance on sports betting is constantly changing, but strict legal barriers remain.

Current legal status as of 2025

Sports betting will still be illegal under Texas law in 2025. Section 47.02 of the Texas Penal Code clearly prohibits betting on "the partial or final outcome of any game or contest, or on the performance of any participant in any game or contest." The state maintained this position even after the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, which allowed states to make their own sports gambling laws.

The legislature has begun to take action. Representative Sam Harless filed House Joint Resolution 134 (HJR 134) in February 2025. This constitutional amendment would allow Texans to vote on legalizing sports betting in November 2025. Senator Carol Alvarado also filed Senate Joint Resolution 16 (SJR 16), which would legalize both sports betting and casino gambling.

HJR 134 requires these approvals:

1. Two-thirds majority vote in both the Texas House and Senate
2. Approval in a statewide voter referendum
3. Development of a regulatory framework to license and protect consumers

Still, these plans face strong opposition. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick leads the Texas Senate and has consistently blocked gambling bills. He has stated that he "will not call any gambling bills for a vote unless there is Republican support". His stance has stopped previous attempts, including a 2023 sports betting bill that passed the House but stalled in the Senate.

Why offshore sportsbooks are the only option

Legal restrictions leave offshore sportsbooks as the only choice for Texans who want to bet on sports. These sites operate in what legal experts call a "gray area" between federal and state laws. They operate out of countries where online gambling has been legal for decades.

Offshore betting sites offer several advantages to Texas residents:

• Legal Availability: Federal laws don't require states to ban or control offshore sportsbooks. Most gambling laws target the companies, not the bettors, which means users face little legal risk.

• Proven history: Many offshore sites are over 30 years old and have been running continuously. This long history shows that they're reliable.

• Complete security: Good offshore sites use strong security measures such as encryption, secure payment methods, and helpful customer support teams.

• Payment Options: These platforms accept cryptocurrency payments, unlike US sportsbooks. This means greater privacy and faster transactions.

• More betting options: You can bet on things beyond sports, such as political elections, award shows, and entertainment results.

Texans who want to bet now have three options: go to nearby states like Louisiana (which legalized sports betting in February 2022), find local underground bookies (which is risky), or use offshore betting sites. Offshore sportsbooks offer the easiest solution, even without regulations.

What Texans need to know before betting

Here are important things to think about before using offshore texas betting sites:

1. You still have to pay taxes

The IRS taxes all gambling winnings, even from offshore sportsbooks outside of U.S. control. U.S. sportsbooks report large winnings to the IRS, but offshore sites don't. Bettors must report their gambling income themselves - or face tax penalties.

2. You get less protection

The biggest drawback to offshore betting is limited consumer protection. Licensed Texas betting sites in regulated markets guarantee payouts, offer gambling control tools, and help resolve disputes. Users of offshore platforms have few options if something goes wrong.

Industry experts say, "While offshore sportsbooks aren't regulated by a Texas gaming commission, they are licensed in other jurisdictions and provide safe, available options for Texans. This shows why it is important to choose established, reliable platforms.

3. Choosing the right location is critical

Look at these key factors when choosing top texas betting sites:

• License: Check if the site has valid licenses from known gambling authorities
• History: Pick sites that have run for 5+ years or more
• Banking: Look at deposit/withdrawal options and how long they take
• Security: Make sure they use encryption and protect data
• Reviews: Read what other customers say about reliability and service

Top 5 Best Texas Betting Sites that accept US players

Sports fans in Texas can only place their bets through offshore platforms. Our analysis of security standards, payout speeds, bonus structures and user experience ratings reveals the best Texas betting sites that offer Texans the most comprehensive betting services.

1. Bovada – Best for variety and reputation

Bovada is the leader in Texas sports betting with a legal offshore license for Texas residents. This platform has become a trusted betting destination since 2011. Their security measures include full encryption technology that protects users' personal and financial information.

The diversity of the platform sets it apart from others. You'll find betting markets for all the major Texas teams including the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Astros. Bovada goes beyond sports with markets in politics, entertainment and exclusive prop bets you won't find anywhere else.

Texas players are automatically enrolled in the Bovada Rewards Program when they sign up. Tiered benefits include

• Single bets earn 2 points per USD 1.00 wagered
• Parlays generate 15 points per USD 1.00
• Teasers and Round Robins provide 25 points per USD 1.00

Bovada shines with their cryptocurrency features. Their crypto welcome bonus matches 75% up to $750.00 with a 5x rollover requirement. Regular deposits receive a 50% match up to $250.00. Bitcoin withdrawals are fast - usually within 15 minutes of providing your wallet address.

2. BetOnline.ag– Best for crypto and fast payouts

BetOnline stands out as the top crypto-friendly betting platform for Texans. The 20-year-old platform accepts 18 different cryptocurrencies for deposits and withdrawals.

Texas players will benefit in several ways from the platform's crypto focus:

• Zero transaction fees – Receive 100% of deposits and withdrawals
• Accelerated processing – Most withdrawals completed within an hour (maximum 48 hours)
• Enhanced welcome bonus – First-time crypto depositors receive a 100% match
• Increased security – Blockchain technology ensures transaction integrity

BetOnline covers 27 different sports and has a live betting section. They've added same-game parlays (SGPs) for NFL and NBA games, combining moneylines and player props.

The platform's Prop Builder tool allows you to create custom bets across multiple markets at once. Daily Odds Boosts and Mega Parlays provide better pricing on all types of sports.

You can start with as little as USD 20.00 for deposits and withdrawals. Serious Texas sports bettors appreciate BetOnline's early morning line publication and accessible entry points.

3. BetUS – Best welcome bonus and expert picks

BetUS is one of the best with its higher welcome bonus package, which is a top-rated offshore sportsbook in 2025. The platform offers new Texas players a 125% bonus on their first three deposits up to a limit of $2,000.00, with cryptocurrency users receiving a slightly lower limit of $1,500.00.

The complete welcome package is as shown:

Deposit Type	Sports Bonus	Casino Bonus	Rollover Requirement
Standard	100% up to USD 1,500.00	25% up to USD 625.00	18X Sports / 30X Casino
Cryptocurrency	150% up to USD 1,500.00	50% up to USD 1,250.00	18X Sports / 30X Casino

What makes this offer even more valuable is the low wagering requirement - players only need to deposit $100.00 to trigger these bonuses. Moreover, unlike competitors whose promotions are usually time-limited and expire after 30 days, BetUS gives players plenty of time to meet the wagering requirements without the pressure of an expiration date.

In addition to generous bonuses, BetUS also provides excellent analytical data in their own "BetUS TV" portal. The tool provides insider opinions, predictions and betting advice specifically designed to help Texas players make smarter betting decisions.

The site excels at political betting, reality TV and celebrity news that is making headlines. Sports enthusiasts can get the best of the top leagues with competitive odds on football, baseball, tennis and martial arts at BetUS.

4. SportsBetting.ag – Best for horse racing and local teams

SportsBetting.ag has carved out a niche expertise for horse racing enthusiasts in Texas. As a premier horse betting site, this site provides quality coverage of thoroughbred and harness horse racing events nationwide.

Texas players particularly like SportsBetting.com's horse racing betting rebate policy. The site offers a generous 8% payback on racebook wagers, which is significantly more than the competition. The rebate is paid on both wins and losses, essentially eliminating the house edge on all racing bets placed.

Aside from horse racing, SportsBetting.ag is notable for having in-depth markets for local Texas teams. The site has 27 individual sports categories and a number of entertainment and political markets. Recent platform enhancements include

• Same-game parlays for football and soccer matches
• No-cost sports betting games with very large prize pools
• Acceptance of 18 different cryptocurrency payment methods

Minimum deposits and withdrawals remain constant at USD 20.00 each, making SportsBetting.ag accessible to players of all bankroll sizes. Their cryptocurrency focus makes it easier to transfer funds, especially in Texas where the traditional banking system often restricts the transfer of gaming transactions.

5. XBet.ag – Most appropriate for user experience and rewards

Founded in 2014, XBet has quickly built a reputation for having one of the best user experiences and most sophisticated rewards systems available. Licensed in Curacao, the site offers a secure gaming experience using robust encryption techniques.

The defining feature of XBet's success is its extremely sophisticated rewards system, which is organized as a four-tier system with four levels within each tier:

• GOLD
• PLATINUM
• DIAMOND
• ONYX

Point accumulation varies by activity:

• Straight bets, specialty games, table games: 1 point for every USD 1.00
• Teasers, prop bets, crypto deposits: 2 points on USD 1.00
• Parlays: 3 points on USD 1.00
• A straight bet of USD 100.00 earns 100 points, while the same value on a parlay earns 300 points.

XBet also stands out with its Pure Crypto Rewards Program, which offers

• 5% casino losses rebate per week (max USD 1,000.00)
• 5% match bonus (max USD 100.00) on every cryptocurrency deposit

To qualify, users must make three consecutive Bitcoin deposits of USD 50.00 or more. The promotion is ideal for XBet's bitcoin-centric environment, where users can deposit using Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Solana, Bitcoin Cash, Binance Coin, Tether, Cardano and Shiba Inu.

How We Evaluated These Texas Betting Sites

Our team put dozens of offshore betting platforms through rigorous testing to find the best Texas betting sites for Texans. We looked at five key areas that make or break a bookmaker's quality and reliability.

Security and licensing standards

The security of your information comes first. Every platform we recommend uses 128-bit SSL encryption to protect user data and money transfers. This is the same level of security that major banks use to protect your personal information.

We also looked into each site's licensing details and favored platforms with oversight from well-known gaming authorities. These Texas betting sites may operate offshore, but the good ones have proper licenses from places like:

• Curaçao eGaming
• Panama Gaming Commission
• Kahnawake Gaming Commission

The security checks don't stop there. The best platforms use robust identity checks that include

1. Phone number verification
2. Simple personal information checks
3. Two-factor authentication options

This layered security helps prevent underage gambling and protects against account theft and bonus abuse.

Mobile usability and app performance

We tested how each platform worked on a variety of devices and Internet connections. The best sites worked smoothly whether you were using Wi-Fi or cellular data.

Here's what we checked:

Performance Metric	Evaluation Criteria	Importance
Loading speed	Under 3 seconds for main pages	Critical
Navigation	User-friendly bet placement process	High
Cross-device consistency	Same features across all devices	Medium
Error frequency	Minimal errors during peak times	High

XBet stood out for its mobile experience. One reviewer said, "This thing has one of the best user interfaces out there - both functionally and aesthetically." The top-rated sites loaded quickly and remained stable, even during busy NFL Sundays.

Odds competitiveness and market depth

Smart bettors know that value matters most. We have found big differences in odds between platforms. Some sites simply give you a better deal than others.

Here's what stood out:

• Early line publishing: BetOnline posts odds before others, giving you a head start
• "Reduced juice" offerings: BetAnySports offers -105 lines instead of -110, which could save you 5% long-term
• Live betting responsiveness: Everygame updates in-play odds quickly
• Prop bet availability: BetOnline lets you build custom props across different markets

The best sites cover 20-30 different sports. They offer everything from local Texas teams to international sports, entertainment and politics.

Bonuses and ongoing promotions

Welcome bonuses varied widely. We saw 50% matches up to $1,000.00 and larger 200% matches up to $10,000.00.

BetUS leads the pack with a 125% match bonus on your first three deposits up to $2,500.00. The rollover requirements are just as important as the bonus size. Lower multiples (5X-15X) give you better value than higher ones (25X-50X).

Crypto users get extra benefits. Bovada offers a 75% match on crypto deposits versus 50% on regular payments. XBet adds a 5% match on all crypto reloads.

XBet's Rewards Program (GOLD/PLATINUM/DIAMOND/ONYX) awards different points based on your bets:

• Straight bets: 1 point per USD 1.00
• Teasers/props: 2 points per USD 1.00
• Parlays: 3 points per USD 1.00

Customer support and user reviews

The best platforms offer three ways to get help:

1. 24/7 live chat (fastest, usually under 2 minutes)
2. Email support (answers within 24 hours)
3. Telephone assistance (limited hours but more personal)

Bovada ranks highest among Texas bookmakers. Real customers often praise its "reliable payouts" and "responsive support team."

How to Choose the Right Texas Betting Site for You

The perfect Texas betting site fits your style and needs. Let's take a look at how to find the right platform that works best for you.

What type of bettor are you?

Your betting style helps narrow down the choices. Here's how different platforms cater to different types of bettors:

• Casual bettors like to wager small amounts on big games and need simple interfaces. Bovada excels at this with an easy-to-use platform and clear betting options that work well for recreational bettors.

• Serious bettors need early lines and competitive odds. BetOnline publishes morning lines before other sites and gives you great odds on multiple sports.

• Specialty bettors who love niche markets should check out Everygame. They mix traditional sports with unique markets, including political outcomes and entertainment props.

Your betting approach also makes a big difference. XBet rewards parlay fans with 3 points per USD 1.00 compared to 1 point for straight bets. SportsBetting.ag stands out for horse racing fans with an 8% rebate on racebook wagers - far above what others offer.

Do you prefer crypto or card payments?

Your payment choice can make or break your betting experience. Here's what crypto and traditional payments have to offer:

Cryptocurrency benefits:

• Complete privacy and worldwide transactions
• No fees at most top Texas betting sites
• Better welcome bonuses (25-50% more than regular offers)
• Quick withdrawals (1-24 hours instead of 3-7 days)

Betting sites love crypto users. BetPanda lets you exchange crypto betting points for free bets and rewards. BetOnline matches 100% of your first crypto deposit, which beats their regular payout bonuses.

Crypto options range from simple bitcoin support to platforms that support over 70 different cryptocurrencies. New crypto users can find great help through platforms that offer tutorials and dedicated support.

Importance of betting markets and features

The betting markets need to match what you want to bet on. Each Texas book offers something different:

1. Sport variety ranges from 18-27 categories on different platforms
2. Texas team coverage varies, with some sites focusing more on Cowboys, Mavericks, and Longhorns
3. Proposition betting goes from simple game props to custom wagers

Features set these sites apart. Some excel at same-game parlays for the NFL and NBA, others boost daily odds and offer mega parlays, and a few let you request custom odds.

Your favorite types of betting require specific features. Live betting fans need fast odds updates and solid mobile support. Casual bettors might like free contests with big prize pools.

Evaluating user interface and ease of use

A good interface helps you bet faster and have more fun. The right design makes everything easier, from finding games to managing your account.

Mobile betting requires special attention. XBet gets high marks for its modern mobile design that works anywhere. One user said, "We used this thing at work, school, the bar, the park and everywhere in between. Everywhere it worked without a hitch, even when our mobile data connection wasn't the strongest".

Look for these usability features:

• Navigation simplicity - You should find betting markets in three clicks or less
• Account management - Easy deposits, withdrawals, and transaction tracking
• Mobile responsiveness - Smooth performance on all devices
• Loading speed - Pages should load in 3 seconds or less, even during busy times

Good customer support enhances the experience. The best sites offer email, phone and live chat with quick responses. This goes a long way when you need help with payments or bonus rules.

Try 2-3 different platforms before betting big money. Testing them yourself will show you things that reviews may miss.

How to Start Betting in Texas (Step-by-Step)

Ready to start betting at your favorite Texas bookmaker? Here's a simple guide that breaks down everything you need to know to get started in the Lone Star State.

1. Choose a site and create an account

Go to the official website of your chosen platform. Look for the "Join," "Sign Up," or "Register" button in the top right corner of the home page. Fill out the registration form with your personal information - name, email, phone number, and a strong password. Your account will require email verification, so check your inbox and click the verification link. Make sure you use your actual address and information, as fake credentials will cause problems during verification.

2. Make your first deposit

The Cashier or Banking section is your next stop after logging in. Choose your payment method - Crypto options are great because they come with zero fees and faster processing. You'll need to deposit at least between $20.00 and $50.00. Crypto deposits usually get you better bonuses. Just follow the steps, enter your deposit amount and complete your transaction.

3. Claim your welcome bonus

Take a good look at the promotions before you make a deposit. The best Texas betting sites will give you these welcome perks:

• Deposit matches (50-125% of your first deposit)
• Free bets (you'll need to make qualifying wagers)
• First bet insurance (money back if your first bet loses)

You may need to use a promo code when you sign up or make your first deposit to take advantage of these offers. Crypto deposits usually come with larger bonuses - up to 75% instead of the standard 50% for regular payment methods.

4. Place your first bet

Now that your account has funds, browse through the markets in the main menu. Select your sport and event, click on the odds you want to bet on and they'll appear in your betting slip. Enter how much you want to bet, check what you could win and confirm your bet. New bettors usually start with Money Line bets because you only have to pick who will win.

5. Withdraw your winnings

Ready to cash out? Go back to the banking section and click on "Withdraw" or "Cashout". Choose how you want to get paid - Crypto is usually the fastest (within 24 hours) while traditional methods take 3-7 days. The site will probably ask for ID verification before your first withdrawal, so have those documents ready. The good news is that while betting only works in Texas, you can withdraw your money from anywhere.

Final Thoughts on Texas

Texas' restrictive gambling laws make offshore betting sites a practical choice for sports enthusiasts in the state. Your betting priorities should guide your platform selection - whether you value cryptocurrency transactions, competitive odds or broad market coverage. Bovada and BetOnline use stronger security with 128-bit SSL encryption. BetUS stands out with a generous welcome bonus of 125% on three deposits.

Texas bettors operate in a unique space where legislative efforts are gaining support. The current political climate suggests that legal sports betting is at least 2-3 years away. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and key Republican lawmakers continue to block expansion efforts. Offshore platforms will remain the primary option for Texans seeking reliable betting options through 2025.

Security must be a top priority when choosing Texas betting sites. Platforms that use strong identity checks and are licensed by reputable authorities, such as Curaçao eGaming, deserve a closer look. Our team put these platforms to the test and found that Bovada processes Bitcoin withdrawals in 15 minutes. This is impressive compared to the industry average of 1-24 hours.

Cryptocurrency gives Texas bettors a distinct advantage. Platforms offer crypto bonuses 25-50% higher than standard offers and process transactions faster. This creates a better user experience. XBet's Pure Crypto Rewards Program shows this approach well by offering 5% weekly rebates on casino losses up to $1,000.