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Prediction Market Index/Legality/Texas, and is the state about to act
Legality

Are prediction markets legal in Texas, and is the state about to act?

A plain, dated guide to prediction market legality in Texas: the absence of state enforcement so far, the federally overseen exchanges currently accessible, the legislative interest in closing gambling loopholes, and how to check your eligibility. Information, not legal advice.

By Fredrik FilipssonFounder and editor · Two decades in advisory, hospitality and mediaEditorial review by Morten Andersen · Last reviewed 21 April 2026

Last reviewed 21 April 2026 · Status as of April 2026 · Information, not legal advice

Two layers of rules

Federal authority, state friction.

01
Federal oversight
Some event contracts trade on exchanges overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. A federal appeals posture has generally favored federal authority over these designated markets.
02
State challenges
Several states have challenged operators, especially over sports-event contracts, through cease and desist letters and litigation. This is where most of the live friction sits.
03
Onchain and offshore
Crypto-native and offshore venues operate outside the US framework. Their standing for US persons is unsettled, and we do not treat reachability as legality.
Generally available

US-regulated venues

Kalshi · rated 91/100
Available
Polymarket · rated 86/100
Available
ForecastEx · rated 80/100
Available
Crypto.com · rated 80/100
Available
Robinhood · rated 79/100
Available
Railbird · rated 74/100
Available
Novig · rated 74/100
Available
PredictIt · rated 59/100
Available
Not offered for real money

Offshore and onchain

Futuur · rated 68/100
Not available
Limitless · rated 62/100
Not available
Myriad · rated 60/100
Not available
Drift BET · rated 57/100
Not available
Zeitgeist · rated 54/100
Not available

Availability is indicative and can change, and individual states may restrict specific products such as sports-event contracts. Confirm the current position with the platform and a qualified professional before acting.

FAQ

Texas, and is the state about to act, in short.

Are prediction markets legal in Texas?

As of April 2026 Texas has not been reported to have taken public enforcement action against federally registered prediction market operators, and federally overseen exchanges have continued to serve users in the state. State leaders have signalled interest in regulating, but nothing has been enacted, so this is a dated snapshot. This is general information, not legal advice.

Has Texas banned prediction markets?

No enacted Texas ban on federally registered prediction market operators has been reported as of April 2026. State leaders have raised the idea of closing gambling loopholes and asked the legislature to study the question, but that is interest, not a law. Confirm the live position before acting.

Can I use a prediction market in Texas right now?

Federally registered exchanges have continued to serve Texas users, consistent with the absence of state enforcement. Because state interest in regulating is real, confirm your eligibility and each platform current status before acting. This is general information, not legal advice, current as of April 2026.

Who regulates these markets?

Federally registered event contracts are overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which argues federal law preempts state gambling enforcement against registered operators. Whether states retain authority is being litigated elsewhere and is unresolved nationally. As of April 2026.

Could this change in Texas?

Yes. State leaders have asked the legislature to study the question and have signalled interest in regulating prediction markets, so a future rule or action could change access. We present the current position as a dated snapshot. As of April 2026.

Keep reading
Legality hub
US legality, state by state
All ratings
Every platform, scored
Market guides
The categories, explained

Sources and further reading in Texas, and is the state about to act

The status above reflects the federal framework and the state position as we read them. These change, so verify the current rules before you act.

Status as of April 2026. General information, not legal advice.