Are DFS Sites Legal in TX in 2022? (2023)

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Page Contents

  • Top Sports
  • History
  • Legal Age
  • Mobile Apps
  • Tax Laws

Like many other southern states, Texas doesn’t have the most welcoming attitude towards gambling-related activities. Despite this, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) betting is tolerated by lawmakers in the state, giving locals the chance to join in on the weekly fun! For more information on the laws surrounding DFS in Texas and what leagues are popular, we recommend you keep reading!

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Last updated: August 01, 2022

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Texas DFS SiteWelcome BonusPros and ConsTest ScoreTrusted Link
Monkey Knife Fight$50 Wide selection of sports, Many weekly prize pools, No learning resources 4.9/5www.monkeyknifefight.com
DraftKings$500 Wide selection of sports, New contests every day , Limited deposit options 4.8/5www.draftkings.com

*Terms and Conditions apply for all bonuses. Must be 18+ to participate.

When you think about college sports, the southern states like Texas usually spring to mind. The same goes for daily fantasy sports betting – because when it comes to college DFS, nobody plays it quite like the Texans.

Todd Winkler, Daily Fantasy Expert

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Online Daily Fantasy Sports in Texas – Overview

Texas has long held on to rigid beliefs concerning the legalization of gambling, with most forms of wagering illegal. When Daily Fantasy Sports came to the state, it reignited the conversation around what constitutes gambling and how welcome it is in the modern era. In 2016, Texas’ Attorney General stated that DFS operators were probably breaking the law in Texas and would need to vacate the state.

This prompted FanDuel to leave, while DraftKings continued to remain active whilst challenging the ruling in court. They were seeking a proper legal definition of DFS’ legality before they were to leave, and in time, FanDuel joined them in the suit. The court ruled in DFS’ favor in 20118, prompting FanDuel to return against the advice of the state Attorney General.

House Bill 2303 is currently moving forward to the Senate, a piece of legislation that seeks to classify DFS as a contest of skill and therefore legal in Texas gaming law. This would be a huge victory for DFS – as Texas is one of the most populous states in the U.S. Until then, Texans are still free to play DFS without state interference. Below, we’ve listed the most popular fantasy sports leagues in the state and how they’re played.

Online Daily Fantasy NHL – Shoot For The Stars

The Dallas Stars have been wowing fans since 1967, having won two Presidents’ Trophies and eight division titles in their illustrious career. What better way could there be to celebrate them, then, than draft your best Stars into your NHL Fantasy lineup? The NHL Fantasy League asks contestants to draft teams of 9 players from at least 3 different teams and awards points to players for their goals, assists, blocked shots, etc. – with goalkeepers also earning more points for successful gameplay.

Online Daily Fantasy MLB – One Giant Leap For DFS

Texas’ fans of Major League Baseball Houston Astros broke attendance records at their Minute Maid Park Stadium in 2018, probably inspired by their 2017 World Series Win. We can only imagine, then, how many Texans’ fantasy teams were filled with Astros, too. In MLB Fantasy, players can build a team of 10 players and score points based on the real-life performance of those players. Scores can be earned in different ways, with 5 points for stealing bases, 10 points given for a home run, etc.

Online Daily Fantasy NBA – Loose Cannons

Texas’ Dallas Mavericks have sold out 707 consecutive games at their home stadium, which is the longest-running sellout streak in any major league sport, so it makes sense why NBA Fantasy is so popular here. The NBA Fantasy League is sure to lure many of those in, with contestants being asked to create a lineup of 8 players within a salary cap of $50,000. However, player’s values change every week based on their performances, so you may struggle to remain loyal to your picks as the weeks progress if you are to stay within budget.

Online Daily Fantasy NFL – Yee-Ha!

There’s no denying that the five-time Super Bowl-winning champions the Dallas Cowboys are an institution in Texas, and according to Forbes magazine, they are the most valuable sports team in the world. You can value them, too, in the popular NFL Fantasy League, where contestants are to build a team of 9 of NFL stars and watch them go head-to-head against other contestants’ teams. Points are scored similarly to other leagues and cash prizes are won at the end of every week.

College Fantasy Sport –The Tiger’s Roar

Texas may be wild about sports, but there is no state quite as passionate and loyal to their college sports teams then in Texas. While there are over ten universities in the state competing in the NCAA Division 1, it’s the University of Texas, Austin’s collegiate program that has us the most excited, and in particular theirTexas Longhorns, football team, whose alumni including four Pro Hall of Famers.

Having claimed four national titles and playing to audiences of 100,000+ fans at their Darrel K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, the team has a list of accolades that should make any other team nervous. If you’re a college football fan and play DFS, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be considering Longhorn’s players for your fantasy lineup.

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Timeline of Daily Fantasy Sports Legislation

For fifty years, Texas has adopted a strict anti-gambling mindset that limits most forms of gaming to charity-only enterprises. However, with the conversation reignited by the introduction of DFS sites to the state, we believe that this could change in the future. Below, we’ve created a timeline on the most important years in gambling history in the state. For additional information on the subject, visit our page about Texas gambling.

Texas DFS Legal History
YearEvent
1971All gambling is outlawed in the state.
1989An amendment to the anti-gambling law is added to allow for charitable gaming.
1992The state lottery begins.
2016After FanDuel leaves Texas for fear of breaking the law, DraftKings challenges Texas in court in an effort to have more clarification of DFS’ legality.
2019House Bill 2303 seeking to classify DFS as legal passed through house and heads to Senate.

Legal Daily Fantasy Betting Age in Texas

The minimum legal age for participating in daily fantasy sports betting is 18 years old. This also goes for bingo and lottery gambling, although gamblers must be 21 years old or over to gamble at racetracks in the state. If a player is caught gambling underage, it is considered a Class C misdemeanor and is punishable with a fine of no more than $500.

Is Daily Fantasy Betting Legal Outside of the State?

Despite the fact that states have only started bringing in DFS laws in 2016, DFS betting is now legal in most states across the USA. This could be due to the fact that in 2006, Daily Fantasy Sports was federally classified as a game of skill as opposed to chance, and left it for states to decide whether or not they would tolerate it. There are nine states included in the group who choose not to tolerate DFS, including Idaho, Hawaii and Iowa. There are also many that have chosen to avoid outlawing it or legalizing it altogether – allowing it to exist in a sort of unregulated legal grey area limbo. Only time will tell whether or not these states will move towards DFS legalization, but as most states are proving, there are a lot of benefits to a legal, regulate the daily fantasy sports market.

The Best Fantasy Sports App in Texas

If you’re not a fan of using desktop computers and laptops, then we’ve got you covered. Many Fantasy Sports operators have developed dedicated DFS apps to ensure that you can bet anywhere at any time. This makes drafting, betting and checking scores more convenient and faster. Based on our experience, we recommend the DraftKings app the most for DFS gameplay.

Taxes on Daily Fantasy Winnings: Legal Overview

When it comes to taxes, you should keep in mind that all winnings that are generated from gambling are a subject of the federal tax laws, which means that they are taxable at a rate of 25%. This, though, is valid only in case your winnings overgo the amount of $600. For details and assistance, refer to the Comptroller of Taxes in Texas.

Upcoming Regulation Changes to Be Aware Of

It’s hard to think of a time when so much action was going on surrounding Texas’ gambling laws. With House Bill 2303 moving forward to the Senate after overwhelming support in the House of Representatives, all eyes are on the state to see if DFS will once and for all be classified as a game of skill and therefore legal for Texas residents. This legal clarity will be beneficial for everyone involved – allowing players peace of mind, operators a chance to work within state regulations and the state a reliable stream of tax revenue.

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The next frontier would then be the legalization of sports betting, which if legalized in the state could open up one of the largest markets in the nation. While there are yet to be any sports betting bills introduced to government, it is only a matter of time before Texas follows the lead of most other American states in considering the financial benefits of legalized sports betting markets.

This would mean changing state legislation and could take time, but when you’re considering the potential annual influx of hundreds of millions of dollars a year, the effort is entirely worth it.

Daily Fantasy Guides for Nearby States

  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma
  • Arkansas
  • Louisiana

FAQs

Is DFS illegal in Texas? ›

As recently as 2019, the Texas House voted in favor of explicitly legalizing Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). Anyone can now play Texas DFS with total confidence without any confusion surrounding legality. Prior to this, it was up for debate whether or not DFS was considered gambling, which is against Texas law.

Is DFS DraftKings legal in Texas? ›

Yes, you can legally play daily fantasy sports while in Texas as long as you are 18 or older. DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo all can be played while in state lines with no consequences.

What makes DFS legal? ›

Playing daily fantasy for money is legal by federal law in the United States, and also legal in Canada. Fantasy sports are, according to federal law, a game of skill, therefore they are not gambling. The law declaring fantasy sports are legal was first introduced in 1999 and the last action on it took place in 2006.

Where is DFS legal? ›

DFS sites like DraftKings and FanDuel operate in most states. Some states have made it explicitly legal, while others just haven't ruled on it and allow it under their state's existing gaming rules.
...
Where Do DFS Sites Operate?
StateDraftKingsFanDuel
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
47 more rows
7 Aug 2022

Is fantasy football gambling legal in Texas? ›

Timeline of Daily Fantasy Sports Legislation

Below, we've created a timeline on the most important years in gambling history in the state. For additional information on the subject, visit our page about Texas gambling. All gambling is outlawed in the state.

Is bet365 legal in Texas? ›

No. Since all betting is currently illegal in Texas, there are no legal mobile sports betting apps available despite what they might say. Any sportsbook offering to take bets from a bettor within Texas' border is an offshore operator.

Can you use a VPN for DraftKings? ›

How to Use a VPN With DraftKings on an Android Device. Since there are no built-in VPN services for Android systems, your only option is to use a third-party service. ExpressVPN is our preferred option for Android smartphones due to its excellent range of services and options.

Is DraftKings allowed in Texas? ›

The DraftKings Sportsbook is illegal in Texas; however, DraftKings DFS operations are alive and healthy. When it comes to DFS, the states where DraftKings is legal far outnumber states where it's illegal. As stated before, there are a ton of teams and fans in Texas.

Why is DFS legal but not sportsbook? ›

Fantasy sports contests were not considered gambling on sports, and federal legislation exempts “fantasy sports” from prohibitions against online gambling.

What states is DraftKings DFS illegal? ›

The states where DraftKings is illegal include Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Idaho, California, Alaska, Hawaii, Utah, Missouri, Kentucky, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

Can I use DraftKings in Texas Reddit? ›

Can you play DraftKings in Texas? Yes – at least for now.

How can I legally gamble in Texas? ›

Legal forms of gambling in the U.S. state of Texas include the Texas Lottery; parimutuel wagering on horse and greyhound racing; charitable bingo, pull-tabs, and raffles; and three Indian casinos.

What is the penalty for online gambling in Texas? ›

Texas State Offense: Gambling

A violation of Texas Penal Code 47.02 is a Class C Misdemeanor which carries a penalty of a fine up to $500.

Is Texas a gambling state? ›

What forms of gambling are legal in Texas? There are two legal tribal casinos in Texas which offer a variety of slot machines and digital games. Licensed horse racing and greyhound dog racing is legal. State-run lottery, bingo and daily fantasy sports are additional legal betting options for Texans.

How many states is DFS legal in? ›

Over 40 states out of 50 states are accepted by FanDuel. Louisiana joined this list of states accepted by DraftKings but certain perishes are restricted from real money DFS play.

Is daily fantasy legal everywhere? ›

Experience DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports for yourself.

Federal law specifically exempts fantasy sports contests from the prohibitions of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, or UIGEA. At the state level, legislation and regulation vary state-to-state.

Is DraftKings legal outside the US? ›

In addition to the permitted US states, players from the following countries are permitted to participate in DraftKings Daily Fantasy contests: Austria. Canada (All Provinces excluding Ontario) Germany.

Is underdog legal in Texas? ›

Is Underdog Fantasy legal in Texas? Yes, Underdog Fantasy is legal in Texas for drafts and pick'em contests despite not having sports betting legalized in the state.

How do I bet on DraftKings out of state? ›

Yes, you can use a VPN to unblock DraftKings Sportsbook.

Sign up for a capable VPN, like NordVPN, and you can make a bet on DraftKings Sportsbook even if you're in an excluded region! Use the VPN to switch your IP address to a new location, and you're in.

Is it legal to play fantasy football for money? ›

Because fantasy football is a game of skill rather than chance, federal law classifies this activity as legal throughout the country.

Is Betmgm legal in Texas? ›

Is sports gambling legal in Texas? No, currently sports betting is not legal in Texas, but sports bettors can sign up for offshore sportsbook accounts and bet online.

Are casinos legal in Texas? ›

Texas laws prohibits casino gambling. However, Texas has one operating casino, Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino, which is an Indian gaming casino under federal rather than state jurisdiction. Lucky Eagle Casino is located on the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas reservation in Eagle Pass, Texas.

How is bovada legal in Texas? ›

Bettors in the Lone Star State can place bets online at Bovada Sportsbook without violating any domestic gambling laws. There are no state or federal gambling laws prohibiting Texans from betting at Bovada.

How does DraftKings know my location? ›

Location services allows DraftKings to use GPS, Bluetooth, and/or Wi-Fi information from your device to verify your physical location.

How do you play DraftKings abroad? ›

If you're trying to use DraftKings outside of its legal locations, all you need to do is download ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or Private Internet Access ($2.03/month), select a server where DraftKings is legal, and you'll be given a new IP address.

Why wont DraftKings find my location? ›

Generally, if you're having trouble with location detection, it's because location services or Wi-Fi aren't enabled on your device. Learn more about turning on location services for iOS, Android, and mobile web or enabling Wi-Fi.

Can you use MyBookie in Texas? ›

MyBookie Sportsbook

Texas has 254 counties and MyBookie services all of them. From Lubbock to Houston and everywhere in between, use MyBookie in Texas to bet on the Cowboys, Rangers, or Longhorns.

Is Caesars sportsbook legal in Texas? ›

While sports betting is not yet legal in Texas, the Dallas Cowboys have a sponsorship deal with WinStar World Casino. It is the first-ever partnership between an NFL team and a casino.

Where Is online gambling legal in the US? ›

How many states have legal online casinos? Online gambling is legal in six US states: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Is DraftKings illegal in Texas? ›

The DraftKings Sportsbook is illegal in Texas; however, DraftKings DFS operations are alive and healthy. When it comes to DFS, the states where DraftKings is legal far outnumber states where it's illegal. As stated before, there are a ton of teams and fans in Texas.

Can I use DraftKings in Texas Reddit? ›

Can you play DraftKings in Texas? Yes – at least for now.

Is PrizePicks legal in Texas? ›

TX Online Sports Betting Legalization 2022

With no legal sports betting in sight, it is important to note that Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is legal in the state. PrizePicks is a daily fantasy sports app that you can use in Texas.

What states allow DraftKings? ›

Select the states where DraftKings is legal include Oregon, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, Louisiana, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

Is bet365 legal in Texas? ›

No. Since all betting is currently illegal in Texas, there are no legal mobile sports betting apps available despite what they might say. Any sportsbook offering to take bets from a bettor within Texas' border is an offshore operator.

Does VPN work with DraftKings? ›

How to Use a VPN With DraftKings on an Android Device. Since there are no built-in VPN services for Android systems, your only option is to use a third-party service. ExpressVPN is our preferred option for Android smartphones due to its excellent range of services and options.

Can you use MyBookie in Texas? ›

MyBookie Sportsbook

Texas has 254 counties and MyBookie services all of them. From Lubbock to Houston and everywhere in between, use MyBookie in Texas to bet on the Cowboys, Rangers, or Longhorns.

Is FanDuel legal in Texas? ›

Daily fantasy sports betting is legal and DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo! all accept players from Texas.

Is bovada legal in Texas? ›

Is Bovada Legal In Texas? Yes, and in fact, Bovada has been providing legitimate sports betting action to Texas for over a decade.

Does VPN work for FanDuel? ›

Use a VPN to change your IP address, and you can get access to your FanDuel account from anywhere. Even if you're in a banned US state or country.

Is there gambling in Texas? ›

Legal forms of gambling in the U.S. state of Texas include the Texas Lottery; parimutuel wagering on horse and greyhound racing; charitable bingo, pull-tabs, and raffles; and three Indian casinos.

Are sportsbooks legal in Texas? ›

In fact, no sports betting is legal in Texas whatsoever, including at the two currently active tribal casinos.

Is there casinos in Texas? ›

Texas laws prohibits casino gambling. However, Texas has one operating casino, Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino, which is an Indian gaming casino under federal rather than state jurisdiction. Lucky Eagle Casino is located on the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas reservation in Eagle Pass, Texas.

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