Texas sports betting: DFS, other options for Big Game 2026

While Texas sports betting is not yet legal, you can still get action on your favorite teams and players via daily fantasy sports.

Additionally, you can trade on sports at Kalshi.

If you're residing or visiting in the state of Texas, don't expect to be able to participate in Texas sports betting at sportsbooks for years to come. With the state's legislature only convening in odd-numbered years, 2027 is the next chance for sports betting discussions to take place.

In the meantime, daily fantasy sports sites and DFS apps are an outlet for those in the state to have a legal financial stake on sporting events. While state lawmakers have attempted to pass legislation to explicitly legalize and regulate DFS, these efforts have been unsuccessful. Texas allows adults 18 or older to play on daily fantasy sports sites.

Texas Sports Betting News and Updates:

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is vehemently against legalizing sports betting and has been among those who have prevented further discussion on any bills during his tenure. Given that he's not up for re-election until after the 2027 legislative session, the prospect of sports betting coming to Texas this decade seems remote. While repeated attempts at bills have been proposed in the state's House of Representatives and Senate since 2020, a group of lawmakers plans to reject any proposal related to sports betting legalization during their current tenures.

• May 2018: The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was overturned, with states allowed to have individual say over legal sports betting.
  
  
• November-December 2020: HB477 was filled which would have would legalized retail gaming to take place at nine different locations in Texas. Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson had the idea to bring casino-style gaming to various locations in the state.
  
  
• January 2021: The first sports betting bill was filed with provisions including: mobile sports betting taxed at a 6.25% rate, a legal betting age of 18, a $250,000 application fee for operators, a $200,000 renewal fee, and a ban on betting on local college teams. No bills ended up reaching the House or Senate floors for vote in 2021.
  
  
• April 2023: A pair of sports betting bills passed through the Texas House of Affairs Committee but were put on pause and never revisited.
  
  
• 2025: Despite Governor Greg Abbott voicing support for sports betting in the state, The Texas Tribune reported in June 2025 that 12 Texas House members stated that they would oppose "any attempt to expand gambling" and reject any such proposal. The letter further said this regarding a potential sports betting bill being introduced: "Given the certainty of its failure, I urge you not to waste valuable committee time on an issue that is dead on arrival."

What is DFS? Can residents of Texas play on DFS sites/apps?

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) allows users to compete for prizes via creating and submitting lineups of college or professional athletes for a single day or week of games. DFS is solely focused on individual players and their achievements as compared to games and their results. 

Unlike season-long leagues, users can create entirely new teams or lineups daily or weekly rather than managing mostly the same player roster over the course of the full season. There are no restrictions in Texas regarding DFS competitions, meaning Adults 18 or older are eligible to participate.

Types of DFS contests

• 50/50 Contests – these are smaller competitions where half the pool are declared winners (to win nearly double their entry fee) and half losers (to win no money). Users select a roster via a salary cap determined by the DFS operator. These contests are good options for low-risk players or those just starting out in DFS who might not be ready to face increased competition in the larger contests. Other variations are double-ups and head-to-head, where users are competing against fewer competitors to win nearly twice their entry fee.
  
  
• Tournaments – Users select a salary cap roster to compete against potentially thousands (or more) of entries for larger prizes as compared to 50/50 contests. More experienced players can thrive and win significant prizes by succeeding in these tournaments. A successful strategy in larger tournaments is to identify several players who may be low-owned by the public in order to differentiate in potentially a positive way.
  
  
• Pick'em Contests – A contest where users can choose an over or under related to that player's statistical performance for the game / week. Unlike sports betting where bettors can bet props by themselves, a minimum of two players must be selected depending on the DFS contest.
  
  
• Best Ball – a season-long competition where the user drafts a roster against other competitors similar to how fantasy leagues work. But instead of starting a lineup manually each week / period, the computer will choose the lineup based on the highest performing players during that time. Teams can advance through rounds, winning money along the way in an attempt to win the grand prize.

Breaking down the best DFS sites in Texas

Texas users have more than 10 DFS apps available for play in the state. Here are our preferred DFS sites in the state:

Underdog

Underdog Fantasy offers a bonus with code CBSSPORTS2. Once a new user registers in Texas, the welcome offer is Play $5 in Fantasy Entries, Get $75 in Fantasy Bonus Entries upon depositing. Though the site offers DFS Drafts and Pick Em competitions, Underdog is known for having the biggest library of Best Ball contests across the major sports. For those users who most enjoy live drafting against opponents, Underdog Fantasy might be their best option. During the NFL season, contests include weekly Best Ball drafts and Pick'em challenges.

Sleeper

Using promo code CBSSPORTS, new users will receive a 100% deposit match up to $100. While known mostly as a website or app to host season-long fantasy leagues, Sleeper offers Sleeper Picks, Picks and Daily Draft as its most popular DFS formats. The first two options are reliant on users predicting over or under for between two and eight players' statistical outcomes. Daily Draft combines a live draft with best ball, where the highest-scoring team for that period is the winner.

DraftKings Pick6

With no promo code required, play $5 on any DraftKings Pick6 contest and receive $50 in bonus picks and weekly Stat Slices. The objective for Pick6 is to choose 2-6 players and predict whether they'll record "more" or "less" than their projected stats. The more correct picks a user makes, the higher their potential payout. Available sports include: NBA, NFL, NHL, CBB, CFB, PGA, NASCAR, or UFC.

ParlayPlay

Using promo code CBSSPORTS, ParlayPlay is offering new users a deposit match up to $100 plus a free $5 entry into a contest. Known as one of the newest DFS sites, the variety of offerings are more limited compared to others. But ParlayPlay still offers variety of DFS contests, ranging from peer-to-peer play to season-long projection contests.

Boom Fantasy

The new customer offer for Boom Fantasy is different than the competitors, offering a No Sweat $100 entry with promo code CBSSPORTS rather than a deposit match. These pick'em contests are different in that they offer multipliers for potential payouts, similar to profit boosts for sportsbooks. SquadRide is a unique game that lets users pick three players to combine to pass certain scoring milestones, with users getting paid out at each milestone.

Betr

Betr is offering $10 in site credit for signing up and a 50% deposit match up to $200. While the platform does not have the volume of DraftKings, Underdog and Sleeper, it is a solid mid-sized DFS outfit with a large social media following poised to grow in the coming years. Betr offers a lot of the same benefits of other top DFS platforms, including injury protection risk and promotions for existing users. Use promo code cbssports to claim the Betr offer.

Texas sports teams to follow

While Texas residents can't wager on any of their favorite teams within the state, here is a list of the professional teams from the four major sports. Residents or visitors in the state can also use players from any of these teams for DFS action.

Houston Texans (NFL)

The Houston Texans have quickly established themselves as an AFC South contender, built around a young and talented core on both sides of the ball. Their offense features emerging skill position players, while their defense is anchored by one of the league's most disruptive pass rushes. With a competitive roster and postseason experience, the Texans are a team worth watching in both futures and game-by-game betting markets.

Dallas Cowboys (NFL)

'America's Team' hasn't won a Super Bowl in three decades, though they remain one of the NFL's most followed and heavily bet franchises. The Cowboys consistently field a dynamic passing offense and attract significant betting interest across moneylines, spreads, and futures markets every season. Whether they can translate regular-season success into a Super Bowl run remains the central question for bettors each year.

Houston Rockets (NBA)

The Houston Rockets are an up-and-coming team in the Western Conference, built around a core of young talent with significant upside. Betting on the Rockets involves wagering on game outcomes like moneylines, point spreads, and totals. Bettors should analyze team performance, injuries, and matchups to make informed decisions on futures like division or championship wins.

Dallas Mavericks (NBA)

The Mavericks have undergone significant roster changes in recent years and are currently in a transitional phase, rebuilding around a highly touted young core. Dallas has the organizational history and market size to attract talent, and bettors should monitor how the roster develops when evaluating the team in futures and win-total markets.

San Antonio Spurs (NBA)

The Spurs are widely considered one of the most exciting young teams in the league, anchored by a generational talent at center in Victor Wembanyama and surrounded by a promising young backcourt. While still developing, San Antonio is a franchise to watch in futures betting as their core gains experience together.

Houston Astros (MLB)

One of the most consistently successful franchises in the American League, the Astros have won multiple AL pennants and World Series titles in recent years. They maintain a veteran-laden roster with a strong rotation and bullpen, making them perennial contenders worth considering in futures markets each season.

Texas Rangers (MLB)

The Rangers captured a World Series title in 2023, one of the more surprising championship runs in recent memory. The team is in the process of integrating younger talent alongside their championship core, making them a team worth monitoring in futures markets as their roster continues to evolve.

Dallas Stars (NHL)

Texas's only professional hockey team has been one of the Western Conference's most competitive clubs in recent years, making deep playoff runs, including multiple trips to the Western Conference Finals. Despite coming up short of a Stanley Cup, the Stars consistently field a strong roster and are a reliable team to consider in futures and playoff betting each spring.

College sports teams in Texas

Additionally, college teams are an important part of the sports landscape in Texas. While the state boasts 12 FBS football and 15 Division I basketball teams, its Power Four Conference schools include:

Texas Longhorns (SEC)

One of college football's most storied programs, the Longhorns are a consistent national contender competing in the SEC, one of the toughest conferences in the country. Texas has shown it can compete at the highest level of the College Football Playoff era, and both basketball programs are annual postseason contenders.

Texas A&M Aggies (SEC)

Home to Kyle Field, one of the largest and loudest stadiums in college football, with a capacity exceeding 102,000, the Aggies consistently draw massive crowds and field competitive programs. A&M has continued to be a factor in the SEC and is a program worth following in both football and futures markets.

SMU Mustangs (ACC)

Since joining the ACC, SMU has quickly established itself as a legitimate contender in one of college football's premier conferences. The Mustangs have shown they can compete with the nation's elite programs and are worth watching in conference and futures markets.

Baylor Bears (Big 12)

Baylor is best known nationally for its powerhouse men's basketball program, which won the National Championship in 2021. The football program has also seen significant success in recent years, making the Bears a multi-sport program to watch in Big 12 futures betting.

Houston Cougars (Big 12)

The Houston men's basketball program is consistently among the nation's best, having made multiple deep NCAA Tournament runs in recent years, including Final Four appearances. The football program is also on the rise, making the Cougars one of Texas's most well-rounded athletic departments and a program worth tracking in both sports betting markets.

TCU Horned Frogs (Big 12)

TCU made one of the most stunning runs in recent college football history, winning the Big 12 title and advancing to the National Championship Game. The football and women's basketball programs both remain competitive in the Big 12, making the Horned Frogs a relevant program across multiple betting markets.

Texas Tech Red Raiders (Big 12)

Backed by significant donor investment in their athletic programs, the Red Raiders are building toward sustained success in both football and men's basketball. The football program has shown it can compete for Big 12 titles, and the basketball team has made multiple deep NCAA Tournament runs in recent years.

Responsible gaming in Texas

Here are several resources for problem gambling available within the state:

National Problem Gambling Helpline:

Phone: 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)

Text: 800GAM
Chat: 1800gamblerchat.org

Texas Coalition on Problem Gambling:

Phone: 763-364-4557

Website: www.txcpg.org

FAQ

Is sports betting legal in Texas?
No, and it's not likely to be legal in the state anytime soon. Fortunately, Daily Fantasy platforms are legal and offer welcome bonuses to Texas residents.

Is DraftKings legal in Texas?
DraftKings cannot be used for sports betting or casino games in Texas. However, its Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests are permitted, as they are treated differently from traditional sports wagering.

Is FanDuel legal in Texas?
For sports betting and casino games, FanDuel is not legal in Texas. But DFS contests via FanDuel are permitted in the state.

Can I play DFS in Texas?
Daily Fantasy platforms are legal and offer welcome bonuses to Texas residents.

Can you use a DFS promo in Texas?
Yes, each of the major DFS sites has an introductory promo featuring either a deposit match or risk free first bet.

What are the best DFS sites in Texas?
The DFS sites we recommend are Underdog, Sleeper, DraftKings, DraftKings Pick6, ParlayPlay, and Boom Fantasy.

How old do you have to be to play DFS?
You must be 18 or older to play DFS in Texas.