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Sports Betting In Houston

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  • Online Houston Sports Betting Available Via Offshore Sportsbooks
  • Local Houston Sportsbooks Not Available As Of April 2024
  • Legislative Movement Toward Legal Sports Betting: Yes

Houston is a hub for major professional and college sports, which also ramps up the demand for legal sports betting in the eastern Texas region. Houston-based gamblers can bet on their favorite teams through licensed offshore gambling sites that have a wide range of betting lines and wagering types, but which ones are the best?

This page was created for and focuses on sports betting in Houston and contains relevant information pertinent to sports gambling in the state of Texas. Keep reading to find the safest and most legitimate sports betting sites that serve the Houston area and the legal aspects involved when using online sportsbooks in TX.

Table Of Contents
    Bovada Icon

     Is Bovada Legal In Houston, TX?

    Yes!  Bovada is legally operating with legitimate business credentials as required within the gambling jurisdiction of Costa Rica. Houston-based gamblers can bet on sports at Bovada's online sportsbook without violating any domestic gambling laws. In fact, Bovada has been successfully and legitimately providing sports betting services to Houston, the state of Texas, and most other US states for over ten years.

    Bovada Sportsbook #1 USA Betting Site

     ✔ Pros

    • Welcome Bonus of 50% up to $1,000
    • Operating From The Legal Jurisdiction Of Costa Rica
    • Same Day Payouts with Bitcoin
    • Options to Use Venmo, Paypal with Vouchers
    • Also Offers Casino, Poker, and Horse Racing
    • Wide Selection of Sports Coverage & Wagering Options

     ✘ Cons

    • Does Not Accept Players From NJ, NV, DE, NY, or MD

    Best Houston Sportsbooks For 2024

    Below is a list of the best online sportsbooks that accept Houston, Texas residents. These sites have been servicing the US sports betting industry for a very long time and are considered to be the most trusted and reliable options for online gambling.

     Site NameCurrent BonusAgeU.S.Visit Site
    Top Rated #1 IconBovada Sportsbook50% Max $1,00018+USA Players Legally AcceptedVisit Site Review
    2BetUS125% Max $3,12518+USA Players Legally AcceptedVisit Site Review
    3Betonline Sportsbook50% Max $1,00018+USA Players Legally AcceptedVisit Site Review
    4sports betting logo50% Max $1,00018+USA Players Legally AcceptedVisit Site Review
    5MyBookie Sportsbook50% Max $1,00021+USA Players Legally AcceptedVisit Site Review
    6xbet logo50% Max $50021+USA Players Legally AcceptedVisit Site Review

    Is Sports Betting Legal In Houston, Texas?

    Yes. Even though Texas has not passed laws that regulate local sportsbooks, offshore sports betting sites are able to cater to Houston area gamblers over the Internet. Because the international gambling sites that we recommend to Houston bettors operate offshore, US and Texas laws do not apply.

    18 and older sports bettors in Houston can legally access any of the offshore sportsbooks we recommend right now and place a wager on the Houston Astros, Houston Texans, or any other active team around the planet. Until domestic sports betting is passed in the Texas Legislature, offshore sportsbooks are the only legitimate option in Houston for the year 2024.

    Offshore Sports Betting In Houston

    There are currently no domestic sports betting venues that operate inside of Texas, leaving offshore sportsbooks as the primary legal option for betting on pro and college games in the Houston area. These overseas gambling sites can be legally accessed using laptops, PCs, and mobile devices in Houston at the age of 18.

    Mattress Mack – Hall Of Fame Houston Sports Bettor

    Jim McIngvale goes by the nickname of Mattress Mack, a persona he uses to promote his Gallery Furniture chain of stores based out of Houston. When major sporting events occur (March Madness, the Super Bowl, the World Series), Mattress Mack runs a very unique betting promo of his own.

    In his promotions, he takes the money used to purchase mattresses and bets it on a team (a Houston-based team if involved) to win the championship. If the team Mack bets on wins, all Gallery Furniture customers get their mattresses for free. Mattress Mack is a member of our Sports Betting Hall of Fame.

    Sportsbook Bonus Offers

    When deposits are made at online sportsbooks, there is a chance that the transaction is eligible for a bonus cash offer that matches a percentage of the deposit (up to a designated maximum amount) and places the funds in your account as a boost to your bankroll.

    Each bookmaker's offer will differ in its specific details and the amount of the deposit match, and some only allow sports betting bonuses on the first deposit while others also offer reload bonuses for subsequent deposits.

    Accepting a sportsbook promo code is optional and will always require that you satisfy the terms and conditions before any withdrawals of winnings can be requested. We suggest reading all terms and conditions associated with the bonus before accepting one.

    All of the offers you see below carry reasonable and attainable wagering requirements consistent with industry standards, but the requirements can render the bonus as not beneficial if you are not expecting to place subsequent wagers.

    How To Deposit Funds Into Your Houston Sportsbook Account

    Domestic sportsbooks in the United States only allow for bets to be made using USD (cash, credit cards, debit cards). The offshore sports betting sites included in our top rankings allow members to deposit using cryptocurrency and P2P option in addition to traditional US dollar methods.

    We recommend betting with Bitcoin or other altcoins as sportsbook banking options because of the fast transaction times, online security, and the potential for elevated sportsbook bonus offers.

    How To Withdraw Winnings From Your Houston Sportsbook Account

    While there are a few USD options for withdrawing your winnings at online sportsbooks, they take at least 48 hours or more to transact. Cryptocurrency withdrawals land in wallets inside of the same day, with some books delivering payouts within 15 minutes of the request being approved.

    Cryptocurrency withdrawal options vary from site to site, but all of our top sites allow for Bitcoin payouts.

    Houston Sports Betting Apps For 2024

    hand holding smartphone with sports betting app pulled upBetting on sports using your smartphone or tablet in Houston only requires a connection to the web and an onboard Internet browser. No download is needed to access the best Houston sports betting apps. Just click on any sportsbook link we include in this guide to betting on mobile devices now.

    These top sportsbook apps operate over the web for instant access to betting lines from Texas-based sports teams and worldwide contests. Touch-button navigation allows gamblers to easily surf the lines in the palm of their hands.

    iPhone Sports Betting In Houston

    iPhone users in the Houston area can use their phones to bet on sports as long as it is connected to the Internet via WiFi or cellular service, and members are at least 18 years of age. The iPhone sports betting apps we recommend to Houston bettors can be accessed via your device's web browser, including Safari, Google Chrome, Brave, Opera and others. 

    Android Sports Betting In Houston

    Sports betting apps for Android devices are available in Houston by using mobile web browsers to navigate to the online sportsbooks that we recommend in this guide, all of which are compatible with most Android devices. Skip the Google Play store and head straight to the betting window with these no-download sportsbook apps for Android smartphones and tablets. 

    Live Betting In Houston

    The action continues after the game begins with the live betting options provided by our top-rated online Houston sportsbook sites. The in-game odds alter as the contest advances towards the finish, allowing allow for uninterrupted betting until the game is over or the lines are removed from the boards - whichever comes first.

    Live betting includes point spreads, quarter leaders, winner odds, player and team props, and the over/under. Don't wait too long to place a bet on in-game lines because they can be removed at any time.

    Popular Teams To Bet On In Houston

    Betting On Houston NFL Teams

    Betting On The Houston Texans

    logo for legally betting on the Houston Texans odds

    The Houston Texans played their first season of professional football in 2002 as an expansion team and today, compete in the AFC South while playing home games at NRG Stadium. Super Bowl betting sites continue to predict success for the Texans despite their lack of a championship.

    The young franchise has established a winning tradition, and NFL sportsbook sites often favor them over their opponent but also provide prop bets, futures, moneylines, and point-spreads to consider for each of the regular and postseason games.

    Betting On Houston NBA Teams

    Houston Rockets

    legally betting on Houston Rockets odds

    The Houston Rockets are the city's pro basketball representation. and online NBA sportsbooks often feature them in their futures and individual game odds.

    The Rockets have won two NBA titles (1994, 1995) since starting up operations in Houston in the year 1967 and have their sights set on hanging many more banners at the Toyota Center. If you are in Houston and want to wager on the Rockets and their odds for betting on an NBA Championship, you can do so at any offshore books mentioned on this page.

    Betting On Houston MLB Teams

    Houston Astros

    legally betting on the Houston Astros odds

    The Houston Astros have called the region home since 1962 and play in Major League Baseball’s American League Western Division.

    The Astros host their home games at Minute Maid Park and are the owners of the 2017 World Series Championship. MLB betting sites routinely feature odds on Astros games for the entire season, as well as lines for the MLB Playoffs when they qualify.

    Betting On Houston XFL Teams

    Houston Roughnecks

    betting on the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL

    Another option for professional football betting in Houston is offered up by the XFL's Roughnecks, who have called the area home since 2020. XFL betting is expected to return in the spring of 2023, allowing for the Houston Roughnecks to build upon their 5-0 record they compiled in the shortened 2020 season.

    XFL bets can be made on the Roughnecks year-round, with odds on their chances of a championship, game lines for each matchup, and prop bets that cover all aspects of the game, including events occurring on the sidelines, in the stands, and inside the commentator booth.

    Betting On Houston MLS Teams

    Houston Dynamo FC

    legally betting on Houston Dynamo FC odds

    Houston soccer fans can enjoy MLS betting on their local team, the Houston Dynamo. The Dynamo play in the league’s Western Conference and play their home games at BBVA Stadium.

    The Dynamo won the MLS Cup in 2006 and 2007 and are often favored in the MLS futures to win another title. Houston-based gamblers can bet on the Dynamo FC at any offshore sportsbook listed above.

    Houston Sports Betting FAQs For 2024

    Retail Sportsbooks Near Houston

    The closest in-person sportsbook to Houston, Texas, is in Vinton, Louisiana. The FanDuel Sportsbook at Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is a 120-mile drive from Houston. 21+ gamblers can also download mobile sportsbooks upon crossing the border into LA.

    Regional Professional Teams

    • San Antonio Spurs (NBA)
    • Dallas Cowboys (NFL)
    • Texas Rangers (MLB)
    • Dallas Stars (NHL)
    • Dallas Mavericks (NBA)

    Houston Sports Betting Resources:

    NBA Teams In Houston
    Houston Rockets

    NFL Teams In Houston
    Houston Texans

    MLB Teams In Houston
    Houston Astros

    MLS Teams In Houston
    Houston Dynamo

    Texas News