Austin is one of the largest cities in the country, but it is best known as a college sports town. The Texas Longhorns, now in the SEC, are the biggest ticket in town, and Austin FC gave the city its first major league team when it joined MLS in 2021.
This page explains what kind of betting is legal in Austin, the options local bettors have, and how a bet works once you place it.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Austin?
No. Sports betting is not legal in Texas, so there are no licensed sportsbooks in Austin, either online or in person.
Texas lawmakers did not move a sports betting bill during the 2025 legislative session after several key House members said they would oppose any expansion of gambling. The Legislature meets every two years, so 2027 is the earliest sports betting could be legalized.
Horse racing is the exception. Betting on horse races is legal in Texas at licensed racetracks.
Where Can Austin Residents Bet on Sports?
Because there is no legal sportsbook in Texas, Austin bettors generally use one of these options:
- Travel to a legal state: Louisiana is the closest state with legal sports betting, and Las Vegas is a short flight from Austin. Regulated betting apps work once you are physically inside the legal state.
- Offshore sportsbooks: Some Texans use online sportsbooks licensed outside the United States. These sites are not regulated by Texas or any other state, so you have no state regulator to go to if there is a problem with an account or a payout.
- Horse racing: Legal at Retama Park, about an hour south.
Horse Racing Near Austin
The closest racetrack is Retama Park in Selma, just north of San Antonio, which offers seasonal live racing and simulcast betting. Texas does not allow online horse racing betting, so race bets have to be placed in person. Horse racing bets are pari-mutuel, which means the payout depends on how much money is bet on each horse rather than on fixed odds.
Austin Sports Teams
- Texas Longhorns (College, SEC)
- Austin FC (Soccer, MLS)
- Round Rock Express (Baseball, Triple-A)
- Austin Spurs (Basketball, G League)
How To Bet on Sports from Austin
Whichever option you choose, placing a bet follows the same basic steps.
Step 1. Choose Where You Will Bet
Decide whether you will bet in person, use a regulated app while visiting a state where sports betting is legal, or use one of the other options above. For regulated apps, you must be at least 21 and physically inside the legal state.
Step 2. Open and Fund an Account
Online sites ask for your name, address, date of birth and usually the last four digits of your Social Security number to confirm your identity. Once you are verified, you can deposit with a card, bank transfer or other accepted method.
Step 3. Pick Your Bet and Read the Odds
Find the game, choose a bet type such as a moneyline, point spread or total, and check what it pays. Our guide to understanding betting odds explains how to read American odds and work out your potential payout.
Step 4. Place the Bet
Add the selection to your bet slip, enter your stake and confirm. Only bet what you can afford to lose.
For more on betting rules across the state, see our Texas sports betting guide.