Houston is the largest city in Texas, with more than 7 million people in the metro area and teams in the NFL, MLB, NBA and MLS. The Astros have won two World Series titles (2017 and 2022), and the Texans, Rockets and Dynamo all have big local followings.
This page explains what kind of betting is legal in Houston, the options local bettors have for sports and horse racing, and how a bet works once you place it.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Houston?
No. Sports betting is not legal in Texas, so there are no licensed sportsbooks in Houston, 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 Houston Residents Bet on Sports?
Because there is no legal sportsbook in Texas, Houston bettors generally use one of these options:
- Louisiana: Sports betting is legal in Louisiana, both online and at casinos. Lake Charles is about two hours east of Houston on I-10 and has several casino sportsbooks, and betting apps work once you are physically in an approved Louisiana parish.
- Nevada: Las Vegas is a short flight from Houston 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 Sam Houston Race Park, covered below.
Naskila Casino in Livingston, about 90 minutes northeast of Houston, offers electronic gaming but no sports betting.
Horse Racing Betting in Houston
Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Race Park is in northwest Houston, about 20 minutes from downtown. The track runs Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meets for much of the year and offers simulcast betting on races from tracks across the country.
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.
Houston Sports Teams
- Houston Texans (Football, NFL)
- Houston Astros (Baseball, MLB)
- Houston Rockets (Basketball, NBA)
- Houston Dynamo FC (Soccer, MLS)
- Houston Dash (Soccer, NWSL)
- Houston Cougars (College, Big 12)
How To Bet on Sports from Houston
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.