Texas sportsbooks are not legal, making it one of the few states in the US where you can’t wager on sports for real money. However, all hope is not lost, as social betting sites remain a valid alternative.
In this guide, we will take you through why legal betting is not possible and the efforts made so far. Then, we will explore the best social sportsbooks you can get started at, what they offer, and how you can register for an account. As a bonus, we will explore the common betting options you can access, and more.
Pros and cons of sweepstakes social sportsbooks in Texas
- No purchase needed to begin
- Good range of bonuses and promotions
- Features popular sports markets and bet options
- Limited markets compared to traditional sportsbooks
Are sportsbooks legal in Texas?
Unfortunately, there are no legal real-money online sportsbooks in Texas. While there have been money moves to make this happen, there has been no headway yet.
The Texas Legislature meets every two years, and HB 1942 was passed through the House during the 2023 legislative session. It aimed to legalize sports betting in Texas, impose taxes, and authorize fees.
However, this did not make any headway, as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick prevented it from receiving any Senate consideration. Since the Texas Legislature meets only once every two years, the next opportunity to make any changes was set for 2025.
However, there was no progress either in the recently concluded 2025 legislative session, meaning 2027 will be the next year to consider the possibility of an online sports betting bill. For now, there is no legal betting site in Texas to wager on for real money. But if you're looking for states with bet365 or other sports betting sites then check out some of our other articles.
What betting sites are legal in Texas?
As we already mentioned, Texas does not have any legal real-money sportsbooks, it's not a state where ESPN Bet and other real money sports betting sites are available. But there's good news. You can still wager on your favorite sports events through social betting sites in Texas.
Unlike regular sportsbooks, these platforms don't require real money deposits. Instead, you wager using Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, which you receive for free. Because they don't involve any cash, bettors residing in Texas can access them without issues.
📊 How do sweepstakes betting sites work in Texas?
As we already mentioned, sweepstakes casinos allow you to wager for free using Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. The GC and SC are the general names for the virtual currencies used in sweepstakes casinos, but some operators choose unique names for their own currencies.
For instance, Onyx Odds uses Onyx Coins and Onyx Cash, while Kickr uses Bits and Bucks. Nonetheless, they serve the same purpose, which we will break down below.
💰 Gold Coins(GC)
Gold Coins are used to play for fun at sweepstakes betting sites. You can't redeem them for real money prizes, but you can top up your balance by purchasing an optional GC bundle when you run out.
Even better, you can claim more Gold Coins by making correct predictions or through bonuses and promotions.
🎖️ Sweeps Coins(SC)
These are the premium virtual currencies available at sweepstakes betting sites. Unlike the Gold Coins, you can redeem them for real money prizes. However, this is only after you meet the requirements set by the online sportsbook.
You can get more SC through bonuses, and you can't top up your balance through purchases. This way, you get the feeling of betting at a Louisiana sportsbook in Texas, without the legal implications!
Spend $25 Get $50 in Coins
100% purchase match for up to 100 in Onyx Cash Free Picks
Spend $50, Get up to $100 in Fliff Coins
Getting started on a sweepstakes betting site in Texas
To start betting on a sweepstakes sportsbook in Texas, you will have to register for an account first. Here's a quick guide to make this happen:
- Click any of our links to be redirected to one of our recommended sweepstakes betting sites in Texas.
- Hit the "Register/Sign-up" button.
- Enter your preferred username, password, and other personal information.
- If you have an exclusive promo code for the betting site, enter it in the provided field.
- Click on "create account" to finish the process.
- A link will be sent to the email address you provided, which you must click to verify your account.
- Log in to your new account and start making predictions.
- Have fun!
The best sportsbooks in Texas for sweepstakes betting
Since social sportsbooks in Texas are the only options to wager without legal implications, you will find many options available.
However, some platforms perform better than others, which is why we recommend choosing your preferred site after evaluating aspects such as bonuses, available sports markets, and payment methods, among others.
That way, you can settle for a social casino that aligns with your betting needs. Nonetheless, we've done the research for you, and here are some of the sweeps betting sites in Texas we recommend.
Onyx Odds - Best social sportsbook in Texas overall
- Impressive welcome bonus
- Popular sports available
- Redeem Onyx Cash for cash prizes
- Limited customer support channel
This is our number one recommended sweepstakes sports betting site in Texas. Onyx Odds uses unique currencies known as Onyx Coins and Onyx Cash, which allow you to place sports wagers for free. If you're a fan of the NFL, NBA, NHL, Tennis, UFC, Golf, or Soccer, you'll be able to place bets on these sports markets.
While Onyx Odds does have many great features, its welcome bonus is a 1,000 Onyx Coins offer, which is significantly lower than what many other operators offer. It does compensate with other bonuses, including a first purchase bonus of up to 100 bonus picks when you spend $10 on optional Onyx Coin bundles.
Kickr - Best Texas social betting site for its welcome bonus offer
- Sizable welcome bonus
- Multiple promotions
- Extensive betting markets
- No dedicated mobile app
Kickr stands out as one of the few operators on this list that offers both sweepstakes sports betting and casino services. You can try out its services using a welcome bonus of 150,000 Bits and 4 Bucks. To get the full welcome bonus, you need to complete these steps:
- Set up your account for 50,000 Bits
- Verify your identity for 50,000 Bits and 3 Bucks
- Verify your phone number for 50,000 Bits and 1 Buck
With this bonus, you can tap into some of the most popular sports markets, including the NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA, among others. Do you prefer college betting instead? Kickr sportsbook has you covered with a good selection of college football markets.
Leveraging these markets from Texas should not pose any problems, as the operator offers a variety of bet types, including moneylines, totals, spreads, and props.
Fliff - Best for mobile betting
- Wide sports coverage
- User-friendly app
- 24/7 customer support
- Not available on desktop
Fliff has coined a niche for itself as a mobile-first platform. As expected, it has top-notch apps for Android and iOS devices, along with a mobile-responsive website.
New bettors who register for an account with the operator can get started with a no-purchase bonus of 5,000 Fliff Coins and 1 Fliff Cash. If you go ahead to purchase an optional Fliff Coin package, you can get up to $100 in Fliff Coins and up to 125 Fliff Cash for free.
When it comes to the sports markets, you have no problems here, since it features all major leagues, including the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB. There are also various bet options, ranging from moneylines to parlays.
Thrillzz - Best Texas sportsbook for bonuses
- More than 10 sports supported
- Easy sign up process
- No bonus code needed
- Generous welcome bonus
- No web access
Thrillzz is one of the more recent social sportsbooks in Texas that debuted in 2024. Like Fliff, it is a mobile-exclusive site that gets you started with 3,000 Thrillzz Coins and 3 Thrillzz Sweeps, which are its versions of Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins.
This Texas sportsbook offers over 10 sports, including popular markets such as football, basketball, baseball, and hockey. Its coverage of the leagues is also in-depth, so you can expect to find events from the NFL, NBA, and PGA.
Thrillzz ensures your account is always topped up with bonuses, including daily free credits, a mail-in bonus, and a loyalty program offering many exclusive benefits.
ProphetX - Bets for competitive odds
- Peer-to-peer sports exchange
- Competitive and transparent odds
- Mobile app for iOS & Android
- Fast prize redemption processing
- Limited payment methods available
ProphetX offers a unique yet engaging approach to its sweepstakes sports betting service. Instead of the traditional sports betting approach, where you place wagers against the House, it uses a peer-to-peer betting system.
To place wagers on the platform, you can use Prophet Coins (GC) or Prophet Cash (SC). The Prophet Cash acts as the Sweeps Coins here, so you can redeem Prophet Cash winnings when playing with this currency. To give you a chance to work towards your redemption, ProphetX offers a sign-up bonus of 20% Prophet Cash on your first Prophet Coin purchase.
Using ProphetX gives you access to top sports markets, including Football, Basketball, Soccer, Boxing, and UFC. The bet options are decent too, allowing you to wager on spreads, totals, moneyline, and live bets with great odds.
Popular types of bets on sweepstakes at Texas sportsbooks
You will find the same types of bets on sweepstakes sportsbooks as you would on traditional betting sites. Here are some of the most common ones:
| Bet type | How it works |
| Moneylines | Bet on which team will win the game. |
| Totals (Over/Under) | A wager on if the total number of goals will be higher or lower than the set lines. |
| Spread | A bet on if a team will win or lose by a set number known as the spread. |
| Parlays | A combination of more than one market to get a better payout. Losing one of the bets means you lose the entire selection. |
| In-play bets | Betting on a game that is already ongoing. The odds change in real time. |
Conclusion: Bet legally on sweepstakes platforms
Although legal Texas sportsbooks may be unavailable, this does not mean there are no opportunities to wager on your favorite teams. You can do this by visiting a sweepstakes online sportsbook, which lets you wager for free no purchases required! This makes them alternatives worth considering.
If you are interested in getting started, click our links to register on properly vetted platforms, claim your free Sweeps Coins and Gold Coins, and start having fun. For more detailed information on each operator, visit our comprehensive social sportsbook reviews section.
Get off to a great start with these social betting bonuses
Spend $25 Get $50 in Coins
100% purchase match for up to 100 in Onyx Cash Free Picks
Spend $50, Get up to $100 in Fliff Coins
Up to 200 Prophet Cash in first 30 days
125% First Purchase: 750K Gold Coins + 75 SC
Texas sportsbooks FAQs
️ Is it legal to bet on sportsbooks in Texas?
Legal real-money sportsbooks are currently not legal in Texas. However, you can wager on sweepstakes betting sites for free using Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. These platforms don't require real money, making them a legal alternative in the state.
What are the best sportsbooks in Texas for social betting?
The best social sportsbook depends on your needs. However, at the top of our list are Onyx Odds, Kickr, and Fliff. They all cover a decent range of sports markets and give you access to regular bonuses and promotions, among other exciting benefits.
Do social sportsbooks in Texas pay out real cash?
No, they don't. Sweepstakes sportsbooks let you play using virtual currencies and don't support real money deposits. This means you can't win real cash either. However, if you play with Sweeps Coins, you can redeem them for real money prizes after meeting the requirements.
