Gambling near Texas is a good option for placing legal real money wagers. After all, real money wagering is illegal in most forms in Texas, including at online casinos and sportsbooks.
In this article, we introduce you to the current state of gambling in Texas and show you the best options for gambling near Texas.
We also present tips on how to bet within your means and reveal how to keep up to date with the latest developments relating to gambling in Texas in the near future.
Is Real Money Gambling Legal in Texas?
Texas is one of the US States where most forms of real-money gambling are illegal. You cannot legally sign up for or bet at online sportsbooks like FanDuel or Fanatics or play at real-money online casinos such as BetMGM or Borgata.
The only land-based gambling options in Texas are on tribal lands, with Naskila Casino and Kickapoo Lucky Eagle as the two best options within state lines.
In the US, every state has its own gambling laws and legislation. This is why it might be legal in one state to gamble online at sportsbooks but illegal in the neighboring state to play at online casinos.
Moreover, the legal online gambling landscape is constantly evolving, with many states recognizing the potential tax revenues from legal online gambling while debating bills in the House and Senate.
Though it is still illegal to gamble online and at land-based venues (excluding tribal properties) in Texas, we expect changes in the coming years.
Numerous recent efforts to legalize gambling have received support from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and there’s a growing realization that regulated real-money gambling could benefit the state in various ways.
Alternatives – Sweepstakes Casinos, Lottery, & Parimutuel Wagering
As we await legislative changes relating to real money gambling in Texas, the following types of gambling are permitted within state lines:
Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos are the best alternative to real-money casino gambling. These sites use virtual currency and offer access to slots, table games, and live dealer tables.
You can play for free, but if you win while using “sweeps coins,” you can redeem your virtual currency for cash prizes or gift cards, provided you meet the minimum redemption. Popular sweepstakes casinos in Texas include:
- RealPrize
- McLuck
- Stake.us
- Hello Millions
- High 5 Casino
Lottery
If you’re 18 or older, you can legally play the Texas State Lottery. You can buy tickets online, and if your numbers come up, you will receive a cash prize.
Parimutuel Wagering
Although sports betting is illegal in Texas, you can get involved in parimutuel wagering at specific venues. Rather than backing a horse or dog at fixed odds, parimutuel wagering is where you buy a ticket for a runner, and if it wins, you will win a share of the pool. Parimutuel wagering is available in Texas at the following venues:
- Lone Star Park, Grand Prairie
- Retama Park, Selma
- Sam Houston Race Park, Houston
Gambling Near Texas – The Legal Online Betting Landscape in the US
If you want to play at real money casinos or bet at sportsbooks legally, you must look outside of state lines. Below, we provide an overview of where gambling online is currently legal in the United States.
Where is Online Casino Gambling Legal in the United States?
At the time of this writing, it’s legal to play at online casinos in the following states:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
Only these six states have legalized online casino gameplay within their borders. Unfortunately, none of them are on the doorstep of Texas, so you can’t just hop over state lines to play your favorite casino games.
Still, if you regularly travel domestically in the USA for business or pleasure, you can legally play casino games online in any of the above states during your visit. We recommend the following platforms as the best online casinos in the US, offering brilliant game variety and generous bonuses:
- BetMGM Casino
- Borgata Casino
- FanDuel Casino
- BetRivers Casino
- DraftKings Casino
What About Legal Online Sports Betting in the United States?
Legal online sports betting is more widespread than legal online casino gambling in the United States. Currently, 29 US states permit online sports betting in some form, and numerous states, including Texas, are considering legislation to allow it in the coming months or years.
As of 2025, below are the states in which all forms of sports betting are illegal:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- California
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Minnesota
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
For online sports gambling near Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas are perhaps the best options. Participating in online sports gambling in Arizona is also legal, not far from Western Texas.
Should you want to get involved in sports gambling near Texas, we recommend the following sportsbooks as your best options:
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- BetRivers Sportsbook
Land-Based Gambling Near Texas
While your online gambling options are restricted near Texas, there are several good options if you want to cross state lines to visit land-based gambling venues. Below are some of our recommended spots for real-money gambling near Texas in 2025:
Louisiana
Louisiana is home to numerous excellent land-based casinos, each of which you can reach from Texas via road or air. Those within reaching distance of Texas that offer decent gambling options include:
- Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder, LA
- Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino, Vinton, LA
Oklahoma
Directly north of Texas, Oklahoma is known for numerous excellent land-based casinos, several on the state border with the Lone Star State. Our recommendations include:
- WinStar World Casino, Thackerville, OK
- Choctaw Casino & Resort, Durant, OK
New Mexico
If you live in West Texas, New Mexico is the best spot for legal land-based gambling. While you might have to travel a little further into the state, there are some brilliant casinos and racetracks in New Mexico, including:
- Inn of the Mountain Gods, Mescalero, NM
- Zia Park Casino Hotel & Racetrack, Hobbs, NM
Tips for Gambling Near Texas
We expect significant changes in the online and land-based gambling landscape in Texas in the coming years. But as we wait for new laws and legislation, gambling near Texas is perhaps your best option.
Here are some tips relating to legal gambling to bet within your means and avoid doing anything illegal:
Don’t use a VPN to gamble illegally
The prominence of Virtual Private Networks (VPN) makes it tempting to disguise your location and gamble illegally within state lines in Texas. But we’d encourage you not to do this. You must provide proof of your address to withdraw your winnings from an online casino or sportsbook.
If this is in Texas, the casino or sportsbook will likely withhold your winnings as you signed up illegally. So, avoid using a VPN and wait until the sites are legally available in Texas.
Keep up to date with the latest legislation
Over the past few years, the Texas State Legislature has considered several bills (including HB 2843) relating to legal gambling in Texas. Though nothing has passed, we expect more legislation to filter through this year.
So, keep up to date with the latest developments by following this page and the latest posts on our website. We will update you as soon as gambling in Texas is legal.
Visit legitimate gambling venues near Texas
Be careful when choosing where to gamble near Texas. Only ever visit legal, licensed venues with good reviews and a positive reputation.
If unsure, stick to the land-based gambling venues we recommend above. We have visited each of these venues and recommend them as viable places for gambling near Texas.
Gamble responsibly
Responsible gambling is crucial to your enjoyment of real money betting, whether on sports or casino games. To gamble responsibly, always adjust your stake and bet only what you can afford to lose.
If you feel like your gambling is getting out of hand, reach out to a family member or friend for support. You can also seek help from Gamblers Anonymous or other help groups online.
The Bottom Line
As real money wagering is currently illegal in the state, gambling near Texas in Louisiana, New Mexico, or Oklahoma is a viable alternative.
You may also consider creating an account at a sweepstakes casino, participating in parimutuel betting, or playing the state lottery, each of which is currently legal in Texas.
Given that gambling is expected to become legal in Texas in the coming years, this page will keep you updated on the best options for real-money wagering at sportsbooks and casinos.