Certain limitations apply. The offer is available to new users only, subject to the terms and conditions at kalshi.com/tc/500. 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Please carefully consider if it is appropriate for you in light of your personal financial circumstances. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. See kalshi.com/regulatory for more information.
TL;DR: FanDuel Sportsbook is geofenced in Texas. FanDuel Fantasy (DFS) is available. For real-money sports trading, Texans use Kalshi, Polymarket US or OG — all three are CFTC-regulated and accept Texas residents (status: Available, as of 3 October 2026).
Where the courts stand · September 29, 2026
Federal appeals courts are split on whether states can apply their gambling laws to sports event contracts. All three rulings are preliminary-injunction decisions, not final judgments. On April 6, 2026 the 3rd Circuit (New Jersey), 2-1, found federal law likely preempts state law. On August 28, 2026 the 9th Circuit (Nevada) and on September 25, 2026 the 6th Circuit (Ohio and Tennessee) ruled at the same preliminary stage that Kalshi is unlikely to show federal law blocks the states' gambling laws. Three petitions are already before the Supreme Court (Nos. 26-299, 26-338 and 26-344); none has been granted yet.
Texas is in the 5th Circuit, which hasn't ruled. As of September 29, 2026 Texas hasn't sued Kalshi or Polymarket or ordered them to stop; Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has asked state senators to study the issue ahead of the 2027 legislative session. The rulings concern sports contracts. This isn't legal advice.
Certain limitations apply. The offer is available to new users only, subject to the terms and conditions at kalshi.com/tc/500. 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Please carefully consider if it is appropriate for you in light of your personal financial circumstances. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. See kalshi.com/regulatory for more information.
Last checked October 21, 2026
Why FanDuel Sportsbook isn't in Texas
Texas hasn't licensed commercial sports betting. The Texas constitution restricts gambling, and the legislature would need to pass enabling legislation (and possibly a constitutional amendment) to authorize sportsbooks. Multiple sessions have tried; all have failed. Until that changes, FanDuel Sportsbook will remain geofenced.
What about FanDuel Fantasy?
FanDuel's daily fantasy sports (DFS) product operates in Texas under a different legal theory than sportsbooks. The Texas AG issued a non-binding opinion in 2016 calling DFS illegal, but no enforcement action followed. The major DFS operators continue to serve Texas.
The legal alternative
Kalshi, Polymarket, and Crypto.com Sports are CFTC-regulated event contract exchanges. They're federally regulated derivatives available in Texas; whether state gambling law can also apply to sports contracts is being decided in the courts. They cover NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA football, UFC, and more.
See the full guide to legal sports trading in Texas →
FanDuel Sportsbook is NOT legal in Texas in 2026 — Texas has not licensed sports betting. FanDuel's daily fantasy sports product (FanDuel Fantasy) operates in Texas under a separate legal framework that's been contested but not banned.
Can I use FanDuel in Texas?
You cannot use FanDuel Sportsbook in Texas — the app geofences Texas IPs. FanDuel Fantasy (DFS contests) is available. For real-money sports trading, Texans use CFTC-regulated event contract exchanges like Kalshi, Polymarket, and Crypto.com.
When will FanDuel be legal in Texas?
Unclear. The Texas legislature has repeatedly failed to pass sports betting legislation. The next session is 2027. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has consistently blocked sports betting bills in the Senate.
What's the legal alternative to FanDuel in Texas?
Kalshi, Polymarket, and Crypto.com Sports. All three offer CFTC-regulated sports event contracts and accept Texas residents (minimum age 18; we recommend 21+). Different product (federal derivatives vs state-licensed sportsbook) but covers the same sports.
Certain limitations apply. The offer is available to new users only, subject to the terms and conditions at kalshi.com/tc/500. 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Please carefully consider if it is appropriate for you in light of your personal financial circumstances. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. See kalshi.com/regulatory for more information.
The Spurs open October 20 against the Thunder, the Rockets host the Mavericks October 21 and the Rockets play the Spurs in Austin October 23. Opening week, key dates and how Texas NBA contracts work.
