Is internet gambling legal in Texas? In most cases, no. Texas does not currently license real-money online casinos or online sportsbooks, and state law broadly prohibits betting on games, contests, and gambling devices outside specific legal exceptions.
Texas also expressly prohibits buying state lottery tickets through an internet or mobile application. The restriction was added to the Texas Government Code in 2025.
That means Texans should distinguish between a gambling website being accessible from Texas and it being licensed to accept real-money bets under Texas law.
As of September 2026:
Texas Penal Code Section 47.02 makes gambling a Class C misdemeanor when a person places certain bets or wagers money or something of value on games involving cards, dice, balls, or gambling devices.
What Online Gambling Is Not Legal in Texas?
Texas does not currently operate a licensed market for the main forms of real-money online gambling. Restrictions differ by category, so it helps to separate casino games, sports betting, lottery sales, and racing before looking at the details.
Online Casinos
Texas has not created a licensing system for real-money online casino operators.
As a result, no Texas-licensed online blackjack, roulette, slot, or live dealer casino sites match the regulated online casino markets in states such as New Jersey or Pennsylvania.
Offshore casino websites may still accept registrations from Texas residents, but availability does not make them Texas-licensed gambling operators.
Online Sports Betting
Texas also has no legal online sportsbook market as of September 2026. No state-licensed betting apps accept sports wagers from Texas residents.
Legislative sessions have introduced legalization proposals, but none has created a regulated Texas sports betting market.
Online Lottery Sales
Texas law is particularly direct on online lottery purchases.
Government Code Section 466.318 prohibits a person from using an internet or mobile application to purchase or order the purchase of a Texas lottery ticket. It also prohibits compensated services from accepting orders or arranging ticket purchases for players.
That rule took effect in 2025.
Horse Racing
Texas allows regulated pari-mutuel wagering at authorized racetracks, but that does not create a general online horse betting market.
The Texas Racing Act states that, except where specifically authorized, a person may not place a horse or greyhound wager over the internet from within Texas. Wagering is generally limited to authorized racetrack enclosures.
Internet Gambling
| Type of Gambling | Status in Texas |
|---|---|
| Online casino games | Not licensed in Texas |
| Online sports betting | Not legal |
| Texas Lottery tickets online | Prohibited |
| Online horse and greyhound betting | Generally prohibited |
| Land-based pari-mutuel racing | Permitted at authorized locations |
| Daily fantasy sports | Texas Attorney General has previously taken the position that paid DFS constitutes illegal gambling |
Are Offshore Gambling Sites Legal in Texas?
This is where the wording matters.
Some offshore casinos and sportsbooks accept Texas users even though Texas has not licensed them. That does not mean Texas has legalized those sites.
Texas gambling law focuses on the gambling activity itself rather than creating an exemption simply because a website or operator is based outside the state. Section 47.02 broadly covers making bets on games and contests.
Using an offshore operator also means the site is outside the Texas regulatory system. A Texas gaming regulator is not overseeing its deposits, withdrawals, disputes, or player protections.
Could Online Gambling Become Legal in Texas?
It could, but no regulated online casino or sportsbook market exists today.
Sports betting legalization has been proposed repeatedly. Previous proposals contemplated both legislation and a constitutional amendment, but Texas has not enacted the framework required for licensed online sportsbooks.
The next regular Texas legislative session begins in 2027, so the legal position can change in the future.
Final Answer
So, is internet gambling legal in Texas? For conventional real-money online casinos and sportsbooks, the answer is NO as of September 2026.
Texas permits some forms of gambling, including the state lottery and regulated pari-mutuel racing, but even those activities restrict internet wagering. The fact that an offshore website accepts Texas players does not make it a Texas-licensed gambling site.
Because gambling laws can change, check current Texas statutes before relying on older guides or operator claims.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice.
Is internet gambling legal in Texas?
In most cases, no. Texas does not currently license real-money online casinos or online sportsbooks.
State law broadly restricts gambling outside specific legal exceptions, and online gambling availability remains limited compared with many other U.S. states.
Are online casinos legal in Texas?
No. Texas does not currently operate a licensed market for real-money online casino games.
You may still see offshore casino websites accepting Texas players, but that does not make them licensed or regulated by the state.
Is online sports betting legal in Texas?
No. Texas has not legalized or launched a regulated online sports betting market.
That means there are currently no Texas-licensed sportsbook apps taking real-money sports wagers in the state.
Can you buy Texas Lottery tickets online?
No. Texas law prohibits lottery play or the facilitation of lottery play through an internet application or mobile internet application.
Is online horse racing betting legal in Texas?
Texas allows pari-mutuel wagering at authorized racing locations, but internet wagering on horse and greyhound racing is generally restricted under state law.
Are daily fantasy sports legal in Texas?
The legal position is not as straightforward as in states with specific DFS legislation.
A 2016 Texas Attorney General opinion concluded that paid daily fantasy sports likely constitute illegal gambling under Penal Code Section 47.02, while traditional private fantasy leagues may qualify for a statutory defense in certain circumstances.