Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the biggest sports markets in the country, with a team in every major North American league. The Cowboys are the region’s biggest draw, the Texas Rangers won the World Series in 2023, and the Mavericks, Stars and FC Dallas round out the pro lineup.
This page explains what kind of betting is legal in Dallas, the options local bettors have for sports and horse racing, and how a bet works once you place it.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Dallas?
No. Sports betting is not legal in Texas, so there are no licensed sportsbooks in Dallas, 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 Dallas Residents Bet on Sports?
Because there is no legal sportsbook in Texas, Dallas bettors generally use one of these options:
- Louisiana: Sports betting is legal in Louisiana, both online and at casinos. Shreveport and Bossier City are about three hours east of Dallas, and betting apps work once you are physically in an approved Louisiana parish.
- Nevada: Las Vegas is a short flight from DFW and has dozens of casino sportsbooks.
- 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 Lone Star Park, covered below.
The large casinos just across the Red River in Oklahoma, such as WinStar World Casino about an hour north of Dallas, do not offer sports betting because it is not legal in Oklahoma either.
Horse Racing Betting in Dallas
Lone Star Park
Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie is about 20 minutes west of downtown Dallas and is one of the top racetracks in Texas. It hosted the Breeders’ Cup in 2004. The track runs a spring Thoroughbred season and a fall meet, and offers simulcast betting on races from across the country year round.
Texas does not allow online horse racing betting, so race bets have to be placed in person at a track or a licensed simulcast location. 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.
Dallas Sports Teams
- Dallas Cowboys (Football, NFL)
- Texas Rangers (Baseball, MLB)
- Dallas Mavericks (Basketball, NBA)
- Dallas Stars (Hockey, NHL)
- FC Dallas (Soccer, MLS)
- Dallas Wings (Basketball, WNBA)
- Texas Super Kings (Cricket, MLC)
How To Bet on Sports from Dallas
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.