Written in Partnership with GeneralFanagerLooking to make a sports wager in the Lone Star State? We’ve got you covered. Our team has ranked the best sports betting sites in Texas according to their sportsbooks, live betting, and overall user experience.
More importantly – you can bet legally in Texas using our list and guide set out below. Whether you’re looking for fun, spur-of-the-moment betting, or more serious pursuits, these are the sites to use.
Sounds good? Let’s get right to it, then!
First look:
- The best online sportsbook in Texas overall – Bovada
- Great welcome bonuses for Texas punters – BetOnline
- The best variety of promotions – MyBookie
- Most competitive lines – Intertops
- Unrivaled esports coverage for Texas residents – Sportsbetting.ag
- Grab yourself a big ol’ Texas crypto bonus – BetUS
- Great variety of international sports – Xbet
- The best option for horse racing – BUSR.ag
- Unique promotional schemes – GTbets.ag
- Good crypto betting site – Cloudbet
The Best Sports Betting Sites Reviewed
1. Bovada – Best Sports Betting Site TX Overall
Sitting at number one on our list is Bovada, an excellent all-around choice for any Texan looking to make a bet. Whether you’re a newbie just starting out or a seasoned vet, Bovada is a top-tier choice.
Bovada was established in 2011 and has since grown into one of the most well-known and reputable sports betting brands in the business. If you’ve already dipped your toes into sports betting, chances are you will have heard of Bovada.
This site offers a diverse catalog of sports to bet on. You can take a punt on the big football games, or maybe even baseball if you’d prefer. And in case you’re a fan of niche sports, Bovada offers a number of obscure sports from around the world you can dip your feet into, too.
Along with its exceptional range of sports to bet on, Bovada also offers some awesome welcome offers for cryptocurrency users. Worry not, though – even if you’re not handy with digital currency, Bovada offers some amazing bonuses to take advantage of – especially if you make use of Bovada bonus codes.
Pros:
- Excellent cryptocurrency bonuses, including the Bitcoin sports welcome bonus
- A diverse range of sports to bet on (30+)
- Designed for U.S. Punters
Cons:
- Lines for traditional sports can sometimes be late
2. BetOnline – Top Welcome Bonuses for Texan Residents
Coming in at a close second on our list, it’s BetOnline – a huge online betting website fit for the great state of Texas. BetOnline has been in the game since the early 2000s and sets itself apart with its excellent welcome bonuses.
So, that welcome bonus we were talking about? It’s a cool 50% matched deposit up to $1,000. More than enough to keep you going through the college football championships and the back end of the NFL regular season. There’s also the casino 100% welcome bonus if you fancy yourself a casino and sports enthusiast.
Aside from the excellent welcome bonuses, BetOnline is a respected veteran of online sportsbooks for its diverse choice of bet types, its crypto-friendly banking system, and a range of markets for the burgeoning esports scene.
Pros:
- Two incredible welcome bonuses
- Fantastic live-betting & esports coverage
- Crypto-friendly
Cons:
- Doesn’t currently accept PayPal
3. MyBookie – Great Selection of Promotions for Texas Sports Betting
MyBookie comes sailing in at number three on our list, mainly for its excellent selection of promotions available to take advantage of. Whether you’re depositing with Bitcoin or regular currency, you can be sure that MyBookie will give you a great bang for your buck.
MyBookie was first set up in the mid-2010s, so is a relative newcomer compared to some of the veterans on the list. But don’t let that put you off; its exceptional range of sports betting options for Texas residents means it fully deserves its place on our top list of 10 best betting sites and online sportsbooks.
You can grab a tantalizing first deposit bonus of up to $750 if you open an account with MyBookie today. Also, you can double your first deposit, get a 25% sports reload bonus, and a 250% bonus if you refer a friend. Honestly, there’s no good reason why you shouldn’t, either.
Pros:
- Amazing promotions, including the initial deposit match, sports reload bonus & refer-a-friend deal
- Fast payouts
- Huge selection of sports, including horse racing
Cons:
- Responses via live chat can take up to 30 mins
4. Intertops – Most Competitive Lines
At number four on the list, you’ll find Intertops. Sometimes – amongst all the flashy welcome bonuses and deposit choices – the real value of a great online sportsbook is lost. We’re talking of course about the good ol’ fashioned money line.
Intertops offers some excellent pre-game money lines that can set them apart from the competition. If you’re looking for the best place to go big on your Cowboys getting the W on Monday Night Football, Intertops might just offer you some of the best value around.
Texas residents can also enjoy an excellent sportsbook welcome bonus of $200. It’s not as much as some other betting sites offer, but still very tasty if you haven’t yet opened an account.
Pros:
- Great pre-game lines
- Interesting promotions, like the sportsbook $200 sign-up bonus
- User-friendly website
Cons:
- Smaller welcome bonus than with some other picks
5. SportsBetting.ag – Best Esports Destination for Texas Punters
When it comes to esports betting, there are not many better sites out there than SportsBetting.ag. If you prefer your wagering to be on virtual pursuits rather than operating in the third dimension, SportsBetting has definitely got you covered.
SportsBetting.ag offers markets on Counter-Strike, DOTA 2, Valorant, FIFA, Rocket League, and Rainbow Six. Video games featured will vary depending on competitions available at that particular time.
Pros:
- Premier destination for esports, including top games like Counter-Strike & FIFA
- Well-designed website
- Also has competitive live sports betting odds
Cons:
- Some payout options are not very flexible (for example, the min payout using wire transfers is $500)
6. BetUS – TopCrypto Bonuses
BetUS is the old veteran of the list, having been established in 1994. With that amount of experience comes a lot to like about BetUS, a trusty old hand you can feel safe betting your hard-earned money with.
Everything’s Bigger in Texas, including crypto bonuses – and BetUS knows this.
One of the best features of BetUS, in our opinion, is its staggering crypto bonus. It offers a 200% bonus of up to $2,500. This is divided into a 150% sports bonus – up to $1,875, and a 50% casino bonus – up to $625. Phew.
Unfortunately, with a generous crypto bonus also come some wagering requirements (15-30x). Make sure you’re in it for the long haul!
Pros:
- Sensational crypto deposit bonus up to $2,500
- 25+ years in the betting industry
Cons:
- Wagering requirements can be tough, though they aren’t too steep (15-30x)
7. Xbet – Best Option for International Sports
Even though Xbet is somewhat of a new face to the game, there’s a hell of a lot to like about betting here. For our money (and yours), we’d say Xbet offers Texans the best opportunities to punt on international sports.
If you ever get tired of betting on the Texas Rangers to finally put something together and make a run, or for the Cowboys to get close to a Super Bowl, Xbet has you covered for a whole range of alternative international sports.
Pros:
- Great selection of international sports
- Also has a quality racebook
- Good mobile app
Cons:
- Not the most generous welcome bonus we’ve seen (up to $500)
8. BUSR.AG – Best Betting Site for Horse Racing
If you’re looking for a good place to lay some money down on the horses, BUSR.AG is the website for you.
You can find the latest odds for the next Kentucky Derby, as well as a comprehensive list of races happening all over the United States, and the world, too! In fact, BUSR.AG offers over 200 of the world’s race tracks to wager on. That’s a heck of a lot of horses to back!
BUSR.AG also offers a unique 8% rebate bonus option, meaning you’ll get 8% of your wagers back on exotic bets, while straight wagers are entitled to 3% back. This is a unique option for horse racing bets, and one of the reasons it makes our top 10 list of best betting and online sportsbooks in Texas.
Pros:
- Excellent and unique offers for horse racing
- 8% horse betting rebate
- $150 bonus for new members
Cons:
- Some withdrawal methods carry fees
9. GTbets.ag – Best Personalized Promotions
We’re coming down to the low end of our list now, but that doesn’t mean these online sportsbooks and betting websites don’t have a lot to offer for the average Texan punter.
In fact, GTbets.ag offers one of our favorite unique promotional schemes you won’t find anywhere else. When you register an account on the site, you can select your favorite team in NFL, College Football, NBA, and College Basketball. GTbets.ag will offer you free 1/2 point on each of your selected favs.
That means whether you’re betting on the San Antonio Spurs, The Houston Texans, or Aggies football/basketball, you can be confident in knowing you’re getting the best price for your money.
Pros:
- Unique promo scheme called ‘Favorite Teams’ you won’t find anywhere else
- Refer-a-friend bonus
Cons:
- Offers fewer markets than other sites
10. Cloudbet – The Best Newcomer
Last but not least on our list of the best betting and online sportsbooks in Texas is Cloudbet. Cloudbet is a newcomer to the industry, but don’t let that put you off – it’s a great all-around betting website for most Texans.
Cloudbet prides itself on being one of the easiest websites around to bet with Bitcoin, even offering some interesting matched bonuses when you deposit using BTC or another crypto. In fact, it supports over 10 different cryptocurrencies.
If you do use Cloudbet in Texas, you will need to use a VPN, though.
Pros:
- Good BTC deposit bonuses
- Accepts 10+ cryptocurrencies
Cons:
- Requires a VPN to use
How We Ranked the Best Betting and Online Sportsbooks in Texas
A lot goes into deciding what makes a good online sportsbook and betting website. There’s no one simple criterion that will make one website excel over others. That’s why we made this handy list for you guys to begin with!
Legal Betting Sites in Texas:
So, if you want to gamble in Texas, you’ll have to use offshore sites. Luckily for you, Texas guys and gals, using these offshore websites to make your bets is not illegal.
You can place your parlay of Dak Prescott’s throwing yards with CeeDee Lamb’s receiving yardage free in the knowledge you’re doing nothing wrong! Just make sure to take our advice on the best betting and online sportsbooks in Texas above, as we can vouch that they are safe to use.
What the Site Offers:
Overall, you need to look for a combination of great deposit bonuses, interesting promotions, good usability, and a range of sports available to bet on.
For example, an online sportsbook with a great deposit bonus that takes wagers on both traditional sports and esports would be a better option than a website that offers one option but not the other.
Each of you reading this will have different preferences, but we hope we’ve made the differences between each sportsbook easier to understand and digest, and that you’ll feel confident making your bets on these sites!
Banking Options:
All of the websites discussed offer a wide range of banking options to deposit and withdraw your money. Some of them even have special deposit bonuses for certain styles of deposits, like crypto.
Make sure to check with each website directly before depositing or withdrawing funds. Some sites have fees for certain methods, but not for others. It’s always best to be on the safe side when maximizing your winnings!
Online Sports Betting in Texas: FAQ
Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas?
The short answer is no, not exactly. But also yes. Let us explain.
Texas laws strictly prohibit sports betting companies from operating within state lines. But where there is a will, there’s a way! The main point to take in is that Texas doesn’t punish the use of offshore gambling sites. So, Texas residents are free to make wagers with any sportsbooks registered offshore.
With that being said, you’ll be able to take a punt legally using our list and guide set out above.
Related reading: How to bet on sports in California
What about Land-Based Betting in Texas?
The same restrictions in place for online sports gambling are also in action for any land-based sports gambling establishments. There are no legal land-based sports betting shops in Texas. Therefore, offshore sports betting sites are the best bet (no pun intended) for Texas residents.
There are some minor and notable exceptions, including horse racing, that we go into further detail with below.
Can You Bet on Horse Racing in Texas?
Horse racing is another interesting grey area. There are some race tracks available in the Lone Star State where you can legally watch races and pay wagers, but they are few and far between. There is nowhere within Texas state lines you can place online bets on horse racing. As mentioned before, you’ll need to wager with sportsbooks registered offshore.
Are Your Gambling Winnings Subject to Taxes in Texas?
There is generally a 24% tax rate on winnings for U.S. citizens payable to the IRS. Texas has no specific state laws, however, and does not require an income tax filing. If you’re unsure about what taxes you owe, it’s best to check with your local Texas IRS office.
Is DFS legal in Texas?
DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) legality in Texas is questionable at best. However, it should be noted that no Texas residents have been prosecuted for placing wagers on DFS contests.
What’s the Deal with Texas’s Strict Gambling Laws?
After reading all of this, you’ve probably noticed that Texas isn’t the most welcoming state when it comes to gambling and sports betting. But why is this, when the rest of America seems to be coming slowly round to sports betting culture?
The answer is a complicated one. In truth, the great state of Texas is a proud and enduring community steeped in tradition and an old-school mentality when it comes to a number of cultural traditions. The opposition to gambling is no exception.
The good news is, that doesn’t mean you have to go without it. Offshore sports betting websites are still legal for Texas residents to use, so make sure you check out our list to find the best places to make your wagers in Texas.
What are the Top Bonuses Available for Online Sportsbooks in Texas?
There is a range of excellent bonuses to take advantage of when signing up for an online wager in Texas. We’ve listed a couple of the stand-out options below. Remember, you’ll also find this information above, in our top 10 list of best betting and online sportsbooks in Texas.
- GTbets.ag – Favorite Team Bonus
Select your favorite Texas-based sports teams and get a bonus ½ point on each one. This is a great one for the homers out there!
- BetUS – Crypto Deposit Bonus
If you prefer to make your bets with cryptocurrency, then BetUS’s deposit bonus is unmatched – a 200% bonus of up to $2,500.
How to Start Betting on Online Sportsbooks in Texas?
Getting set up to wager your first bet is easy.
- Step 1: Select the website you want to join from the list we provided above, visit, and click the register/join button.
- Step 2: Verify your email upon registering.
- Step 3: Deposit and enjoy your bonuses! Remember, each different website has a particular deposit and bonus scheme to take advantage of.
Texas Sports Betting: Final Words
We hope this article has offered you a better understanding of the legalities and practices of betting and online sportsbooks in Texas. Despite Texas having a conservative attitude to gambling, you can still use offshore betting websites to place a wager on your favorite sports teams and events around the globe!
According to our research, Bovada is the best place for Texans to take their money and gamble. It combines a range of diverse sports, great bonus options, and there’s the fact it was designed specifically for U.S. punters.
Other options are worth considering, too – but whatever you do, gamble safely and make sure you have a good time!
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