western
Texas Won't Legalize Online Gambling. Texans Are Doing It Anyway.
By Fort Worth Weekly
· July 9, 2026
· 6 min read
Here is a fact that captures the absurdity of gambling law in Texas. You cannot legally place a real-money bet on a sportsbook app in Fort Worth , but you can drive ten minutes in any direction and watch your neighbors do exactly that on their phones, using offshore sites the state has no power to to
Key takeaway Texas remains one of the strictest gambling states in the country and 2026 has done nothing to change that.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The standoff over online gambling in Texas has significant implications for Fort Worth, where residents are finding ways to circumvent the state's strict laws. As the fifth-largest city in Texas, Fort Worth's residents are likely contributing to the demand for offshore sites, which the state has no power to regulate. This not only means that the city is missing out on potential revenue, but also that its residents are being left without the protections that a regulated market would provide. The city's proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, a major economic hub, also raises questions about the potential economic benefits of a regulated online gambling market. As the state waits until 2027 for the next opportunity to revisit the issue, Fort Worth residents will likely continue to find ways to gamble online, highlighting the need for a re-examination of the state's laws and their impact on local communities.
About this story
Original reporting by Fort Worth Weekly . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Fort Worth Weekly . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: western ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: Fort Worth Weekly ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Here is a fact that captures the absurdity of gambling law in Texas. You cannot legally place a real-money bet on a sportsbook app in Fort Worth, but you can drive ten minutes in any direction and watch your neighbors do exactly that on their phones, using offshore sites the state has no power to to
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by Fort Worth Weekly and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Fort Worth Weekly. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more western coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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