Legal Age for Sports Betting in Texas
The state of Texas maintains some of the strictest gambling laws in the United States, and sports betting remains illegal as of 2025. While many states have moved toward legalization and regulation of sports wagering, Texas has yet to make any official legislative progress. However, questions about the legal age for sports betting in Texas remain relevant, especially for residents who engage with offshore sportsbooks or travel to nearby states where sports betting is permitted.
Sports Betting Is Illegal in Texas
As of now, both online and retail sports betting are prohibited in Texas. There are no state-regulated sportsbooks operating legally, and placing bets on sporting events within the state is considered unlawful. The Texas Penal Code classifies most forms of gambling outside of the state lottery, charitable raffles, and horse racing as illegal. Despite growing public support and legislative proposals introduced in recent sessions, no bills have successfully passed both chambers of the state legislature to legalize sports betting.
The Implied Minimum Age for Gambling in Texas
Even though sports betting is not currently legal, the state has set precedents regarding minimum gambling ages. For pari-mutuel betting on horse races, the legal age is 21. The Texas Lottery allows individuals aged 18 or older to purchase tickets. Given this context, if Texas were to legalize sports betting in the future, it is likely the minimum age would be set at 21, consistent with other forms of regulated gambling involving wagering real money.
Offshore Sportsbooks and Age Requirements
Some Texas residents currently use offshore sports betting sites to place wagers, despite the legal risks. These platforms often require users to be at least 18 years old, but these age requirements are set by the operators and are not enforced by Texas law. It is important to note that using offshore sportsbooks is legally ambiguous and offers little consumer protection in case of disputes or nonpayment.
Sports Betting in Neighboring States
Texans who travel to nearby states like Louisiana or Arkansas can legally place sports bets at retail or mobile sportsbooks. In these states, the legal betting age is 21. Oklahoma is also considering legalization, and if passed, it is likely to follow the same age standard. Therefore, Texans must be at least 21 years old to legally bet on sports when visiting these neighboring jurisdictions.
Future Outlook for Legalization and Age Limit
Efforts to legalize sports betting in Texas are expected to continue in upcoming legislative sessions, especially given the financial incentives from potential tax revenue. Should a bill be passed, it is widely anticipated that the legal age for sports betting in Texas would align with national standards and be set at 21. This would mirror the framework adopted by most states that have legalized sports wagering.
Conclusion
While sports betting is currently illegal in Texas, the implied legal age for future participation would likely be 21, based on existing gambling laws and national trends. Texans who wish to legally place sports bets must either wait for legalization or travel to neighboring states where it is permitted and meet the age requirement of 21. Until then, residents should be cautious about using offshore sportsbooks and be aware of the legal uncertainties involved.
