Can I use DraftKings in Texas?

DraftKings Sportsbook is geofenced — you cannot access it from Texas IPs. DraftKings DFS (pick-em, draft contests) is accessible. For sportsbook-style real-money trading, use a CFTC-regulated event contract exchange.

Will DraftKings come to Texas?

Only if the Texas legislature legalizes commercial sports betting. Bills have failed every session. The next legislative window is 2027. Don't hold your breath.

What's the legal DraftKings alternative for Texans?

Kalshi is the closest legal equivalent — CFTC-regulated, USD deposits via ACH, covers all major US sports. Polymarket and Crypto.com Sports are also legal in Texas and worth considering.

Legal guide · 2026

Is DraftKings legal in Texas?

DraftKings Sportsbook — no. DraftKings DFS — yes. Here's the legal way for Texans to trade sports in 2026.

Written by

Catie Di Stefano

Founder & Editor-in-Chief

Fact-checkedUpdated July 3, 2026

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission if you sign up via links on this page. Commissions do not influence editorial rankings, market selection, or analysis.

TL;DR — DraftKings Sportsbook is geofenced in Texas. DraftKings DFS is available. For real-money sports trading, Kalshi, Polymarket, and Crypto.com Sports are CFTC-regulated and legal in Texas.

Why DraftKings Sportsbook isn't legal here

Texas has not authorized commercial sports betting. The Texas constitution would likely need to be amended, and the legislature has repeatedly declined to pass enabling legislation. Until both happen, DraftKings Sportsbook (and every other state-licensed sportsbook) will remain off-limits to Texans.

DraftKings DFS in Texas

DraftKings DFS operates in Texas. The Texas AG issued a non-binding opinion in 2016 calling DFS illegal, but no enforcement has followed. DFS is structurally different from sportsbook betting (entry-fee contests vs odds-based wagering).

The legal alternative

CFTC-regulated event contract exchanges let Texans trade Yes/No shares on game outcomes, championship winners, and player props. Different legal classification — federal derivatives, not state gambling — but for NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA football, and UFC, the markets are there. Full guide →

Trade on Kalshi Trade on Polymarket Trade on Crypto.com

Informational only — not legal advice. 21+. We may earn a commission from partner links.

Frequently asked questions

DraftKings Sportsbook is NOT legal in Texas in 2026 — the state has not licensed sports betting. DraftKings DFS (daily fantasy) is available in Texas under a different legal framework. CFTC-regulated event contracts on Kalshi, Polymarket, and Crypto.com are the legal real-money sports option for Texans.

Sources & references

About the author

Catie Di Stefano

Founder & Editor-in-Chief

Catie Di Stefano has spent 15 years working with online gambling across some of the most regulated and competitive markets in the world.

Starting at Betsson Group in Malta in 2011, she moved through VIP management, CRM, gamification and marketing leadership across European and North American operations. Catie was a licensed consultancy for Hard Rock Casino in New Jersey, where she held a DGE vendor license and owned the online CRM program from launch day in 2018.

▸15 years in regulated online gambling
▸Held a New Jersey DGE vendor license
▸Launched Hard Rock NJ online CRM program (2018)
▸Speaker/moderator across NA, EU & Africa
▸Native-level Spanish speaker, based in Spain
▸Founder, Campaign Discovery System (2026)

Read full bio →