Representative Sam Harless submitted House Joint Resolution 134 on Wednesday, which if it passes, will legalize online sports betting in Texas. However, the change would require an amendment of the Texas constitution, with voters ruling on that in a November ballot.
Another bill was introduced with House Joint Resolution 134, House Joint Resolution 137, which proposes bringing online sports betting and land-based casinos to Texas. Gambling would be taxed at 15%.
While sports betting is illegal in Texas that doesn’t stop people there trying to access online sports betting platforms. In November 2024, 1.48 million Texans attempted to log into a licensed online sportsbook that’s available in another US state according to GeoComply.
Governor Greg Abbot has previously indicated he would support the legalization. Speaking to the Houston Chronicle, he said, “I don’t have a problem with online sports betting. The reality is that I’d be shocked if there were not some Texans that do it already.”