Quick facts about Texas sportsbooks
- Traditional sportsbooks aren’t yet available in Texas.
- Sweepstakes sports predictions sites are legal alternatives due to their virtual currency model.
- Texans can still make picks on popular sports, such as football, through these sites.
- Some of the leading sweepstakes sportsbooks to try include Thrillzz, Sportzino, Fliff, Kickr, and Onyx Odds.
- Each site provides a no-purchase welcome bonus, so you can start making sports predictions as soon as you sign up.
Pros and cons of sweepstakes sportsbooks in Texas
Until Texans get access to sportsbooks, sweepstakes sportsbooks are the legal way to keep NFL, MLB, and other sports action rolling. I’ve tried a bunch of them, and like anything good, they’ve got their highs and a few hiccups. Here’s the rundown.
- No optional GC pack purchase is necessary
- Competitive odds
- Wide range of sports
- Live betting available
- Some welcome bonuses are low
Are sportsbooks legal in Texas?
Right now, sportsbooks aren’t legal in the Lone Star State. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has long stood his ground against sports betting, blocking any progress on bills that could’ve changed the game. Then came June 2025, when 12 Texas House members publicly doubled down, saying they’d reject any move to expand gambling in the state. Yeah, that pretty much kept things locked down.
But even with that heavy opposition to betting sites in Texas, sweepstakes sportsbooks have stepped up as the go-to alternative. They operate on virtual currencies, allowing players to make sports predictions on a variety of events without using deposited funds.
How social sportsbooks work
Sweepstakes sportsbooks are online betting sites that operate using two types of virtual currency: Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins (or their equivalents). Gold Coins are used for standard sports betting, allowing you to place bets on your favorite sports events. Sweepstakes Coins are tied to promotional sports betting.
Gold Coins are available through bonuses and optional Gold Coin pack purchases, which may come with bonus Sweepstakes Coins. Meanwhile, Sweepstakes Coins can't be purchased, but you can redeem them for available real prizes once you meet the required playthrough amount and minimum SC threshold.
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Best sportsbooks in Texas operating a virtual currency model
After doing my research, I found several reputable sweepstakes sportsbooks that offer a betting experience similar to what you’d find on Florida sportsbooks. The main difference is that these sites use a virtual currency model. My top sweepstakes sportsbooks include Thrillzz, Sportzino, Fliff, Kickr, and Onyx Odds. Here’s how each one performs when it comes to bonuses:
| Leading sweepstakes sportsbooks in Texas | Welcome bonus |
| Thrillzz | 3,000 Thrillzz Coins and 3 Thrillzz Sweeps |
| Sportzino | Up to 170,000 Gold Coins and 7 Sweeps Coins |
| Fliff | 1,000 Fliff Coins and 1 Fliff Cash |
| Kickr | 150,000 Bits and 4 Bucks |
| Onyx Odds | 1,000 Onyx Coins |
Thrillzz – A leading sweepstakes sportsbook where you can squad up with friends
- Highly rated social sportsbook app
- 3,000 Thrillzz Coins + 3 Thrillzz Sweeps welcome offer
- User-friendly interface
- Always free to use
- No desktop social sportsbook
When I joined Thrillzz, I was offered a no-purchase welcome bonus of 3,000 Thrillzz Coins and 3 Thrillzz Sweeps with no promo code needed. Thrillzz offers more than 10 sports to make your picks, covering everything from football and basketball to golf, soccer, and even NASCAR. You can make pre-match or live predictions with markets like moneyline, spread, totals, futures, and props.
However, what really sets Thrillzz apart is its social elements. You can build squads and share your picks with friends. Plus, there’s a sleek mobile app available on both Google Play and the App Store for betting on the go.
Sportzino – The most sizable welcome bonus for predicting major leagues
Sportzino gave me a sizable welcome bonus of up to 170,000 Gold Coins and 7 Sweeps Coins, and trust me, bonuses that much don’t come around often. With that reward, I began making predictions on football, MMA, soccer, and other sports. The odds here are no joke either. During a live NFL matchup between the MIN Vikings and LA Chargers, the odds for Kimani Vidal (LAC) to score 1+ touchdowns and the Chargers to win jumped from +185 to +220. That kind of boost instantly gave me flashbacks to my days of betting at New York sportsbooks.
If you’re into variety, there’s even live betting, esports like League of Legends, and virtual sports like Virtual NBA to keep the action nonstop.
Fliff – Covers over 400 soccer events
- Daily bonuses and challenges
- Excellent sports coverage and odds
- Strong social and community features
- No web-based predictions
If soccer is your jam, Fliff is the place to be. I received a welcome bonus of 1,000 Fliff Coins plus 1 Fliff Cash just for signing up, which gave me the opportunity to participate in over 400 soccer events, including the UEFA Champions League. But it’s not just soccer; Fliff also lets you make predictions on nine other sports, including basketball, football, and hockey, giving a vibe similar to what you’d find in Michigan sportsbooks, where betting is fully legal.
The odds on Fliff are competitive, and there are numerous markets to bet on, including alternative point spreads and totals. You can even combine prediction markets into a single-game parlay for boosted potential rewards. If you like to bet on the move, Fliff has you covered with apps on the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and even a web app, so you never miss a pick.
Kickr – Get up to 25x your play amount
- Free Bits and Bucks for new players
- Several free promos for existing players
- Exclusive VIP program
- No live chat
If a welcome bonus sets the tone for your betting experience, Kickr definitely knows how to make an entrance. I landed 150,000 Bits plus 4 Bucks just for signing up. On Kickr, you can place picks on ice hockey, basketball, American football, soccer, and even motorsports.
What really turns up the thrill are the multipliers. During a soccer match between Chelsea FC and Sunderland AFC, a Pick’Em resulted in 6x my play amount, and some events can reach up to 25x. Furthermore, Kickr offers a seamless mobile app that lets you stay in the game wherever you are.
Onyx Odds – Live betting, wide markets, and competitive odds
- Free sports picks and predictions
- VIP program for existing users
- Low minimum Onyx Cash prize redemption
- Not available in some US states
Onyx Odds might start you off with a modest no-purchase bonus of 1,000 Onyx Coins, but what it lacks in a welcome bonus, it makes up for with a strong lineup of sports and betting options. You can make sports predictions on the NFL, NCAAF, NHL, and MLB, with live prediction options available.
The markets here are extensive. For example, in a matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, I found ways to get creative with my bets, including totals, player points, rebounds, and assists. The odds are competitive across the board, which makes Onyx Odds a standout sweepstakes site for bettors who want to make the most of their bets.
Selection criteria for choosing Texas sweepstakes sportsbooks
The sweepstakes sportsbook you pick can make or break your sports prediction experience. That’s why I stick to a set of criteria before adding any site to my list. These are the factors I consider, and you can use them too when deciding where to make picks:
🔒 Secure and Reputable
Safety is everything. A sweepstakes sportsbook collects personal info during sign-up and optional Gold Coin pack purchases, so it has to be secure. Therefore, I only make picks on sites that have strong SSL encryption and fully comply with US sweepstakes laws. This ensures sports predictions are legit and no optional Gold Coin pack is required for social sports betting. That's not all, I also check what other bettors are saying by reading reviews on trusted sites and checking social media interactions to see how the site treats its bettors.
🏅 Variety of Sports
A sportsbook that only offers a handful of sports is a quick way to get bored. I ensure that the sites I recommend include popular sports like football, basketball, and baseball, as well as esports and major events. For example, Fliff covers over 400 soccer events, giving bettors multiple options for social sweepstakes sports predictions.
📱 App Availability
Betting on the go is necessary. My recommended sweepstakes sportsbooks have dedicated mobile apps on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Some even offer a web app, ensuring accessibility regardless of your preferred social sports betting style.
🎁 Welcome Bonus
A no-purchase welcome bonus is essential for getting started. All my top picks from Thrillzz, Sportzino, Fliff, Kickr, to Onyx Odds provide a welcome bonus for new bettors. Many also offer ongoing perks for regular bettors, such as daily login bonuses, ensuring the rewards continue to come.
💲 Competitive Odds
Without competitive odds, even a rewarding bet won’t feel satisfying. I always check the odds across different events before making a commitment. The sites I recommend offer competitive odds, and many feature boosted odds to increase your potential rewards.
🤝 Reliable Customer Support
Bonuses and sports don’t mean much if the site can’t handle problems. Good customer support is key. On Fliff, for instance, I reached out via live chat and received a quick, detailed response. Email support is also available, making it easy to get help whenever you need it.
📈 Live Betting
Pre-match betting is great, but social live betting takes the experience to the next level. Prioritize sites that let you make sports predictions as the action unfolds. It makes the whole experience way more exciting and immersive.
How to make the most of your experience on Texas sweepstakes sportsbooks
Once you’ve signed up at your preferred Texas sweepstakes sportsbook, playing strategically is key to getting the most out of your experience. Here’s how I approach it:
1. Read the terms and conditions
It might sound boring, but the site’s terms and conditions are worth your attention. Ignoring them can result in the loss of your account. For example, creating multiple accounts is a quick way to get banned. Keep in mind that these rules can change, so it’s a good idea to check them regularly before placing bets.
2. Make informed decisions
Don’t just click on an event and throw down a pick. Engage in a little homework first. Read up on the players, teams, or horses you’re supporting so you can choose the right market to bet on. Knowing the stats, recent form, or matchups can make all the difference.
3. Use responsible betting tools
Managing your sports prediction is also important. The Texas sweepstakes sportsbooks I recommend have responsible betting features to help you stay in control. You can set limits on optional GC pack purchases, limit your playtime, take timeouts, or even self-exclude if needed. Using these responsible betting tools keeps your sports prediction fun without letting it get out of control.
Conclusion – Sweepstakes sportsbooks offer a legal way to bet in Texas
If you’ve been wondering what betting sites are legal in Texas, here’s the deal: traditional sportsbooks that accept deposits aren’t yet supported in the state. However, sweepstakes sportsbooks work as a legal alternative. These sites use virtual currencies such as Gold Coins, Sweepstakes Coins, or their equivalents, allowing Texans to legally and responsibly make sports predictions.
Some top sweepstakes sportsbooks to check out include Thrillzz, Sportzino, Fliff, Kickr, and Onyx Odds. These social sweepstakes bookmakers offer welcome bonuses to get you started and allow you to make predictions on popular sports like football, basketball, and even esports. With a variety of markets and competitive odds, these sites give bettors a rewarding and exciting experience.
When choosing a sweepstakes sportsbook, I focus on several key factors: security and reputation, the variety of sports available, app accessibility, welcome bonuses, competitive odds, customer support, and live betting options. To get the most out of your experience, make sure to read the site's terms and conditions, research players and teams before betting, and use the responsible betting tools to stay in control.
Ready to jump in? Click the banners on this page to sign up at a leading Texas sweepstakes sportsbook today and start making sports predictions.
The best social sports betting bonuses in 2025
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Texas sportsbooks FAQs
Are sportsbooks in Texas legal?
No, sportsbooks aren’t legal in Texas yet. A legal alternative is sweepstakes sportsbooks that use virtual currencies for making sports predictions.
What are the top sweepstakes sportsbooks to bet on in Texas?
Thrillzz, Sportzino, Fliff, Kickr, and Onyx Odds are the leading sites for making sports predictions in the Lone Star State.
What is the welcome bonus on Sportzino?
Sportzino offers new bettors up to 170,000 Gold Coins and 7 Sweeps Coins with no promo code required.
