Texas Sports Betting Study’s Shocking Revelation

According to a new survey, sports bettors spend an average of $3,000 per year on gambling. It is a figure large enough to rekindle speculation on Texas sports betting laws.

The survey was conducted by the folks over at NerdWallet, and further reported on by the investigative TV staff at KCBD 11 in Lubbock, Texas. Among the primary findings, respondents’ spending patterns and goals stand out the most.

“For the first time ever, NerdWallet took a close look at the explosion in sports betting,” writes the KCBD 11 staff. “Respondents to its survey say they’ve spent an average of $3,284 on gambling in a 12-month time period. Elizabeth Ayoola, a personal finance writer at NerdWallet, says the survey also found 65 percent of participants say they are doing this to make extra money.”

That last tidbit smacks you in the face. Sports betting is promoted as an entertainment product, and we endorse it nothing more around these parts. But the number of people viewing it through the moneymaking lens is shocking. It also speaks to the addictive properties of the industry, as well as a host of other things.

What’s more, the release of this survey comes just ahead of 2026 legislative sessions. The future of sports betting in Texas is already expected to be discussed without much movement. Whenever unflattering data is added to the mix, it feels as if The Lone Star State moves even further away from legalization. But is that really true?

New Study Aligns with Previous Texas Sports Betting Data

While the NerdWallet survey was not exclusive to Texas sports betting spending habits, its findings align with previous data exclusive to The Lone Star State. This one came courtesy of GeoComply, and it showed that public interest in Texas sports betting is decidedly on the rise:

“Texans made over 1.15 million attempts to log in to a legal sportsbook platform during the month of October—an increase from 1.1 million in September, the latest data from GeoComply reveals. ‘While Texas has yet to legalize this increasingly popular activity, the reality is, Texans are already betting on sports and are eager for a legal sports betting market,’ said Lauren Clay, spokesperson for the Texas Sports Betting Alliance. “Texans deserve the right to choose whether to legalize sports betting, in line with our values of individual freedom and limited government interference.

“This latest GeoComply data underscores Texans’ desire to engage in legal sports betting. Despite the clear demand and benefits of a legal sports betting market, Texas law currently denies Texans the opportunity. ‘Texas lawmakers can take action in the upcoming Texas legislative session to create a safe environment where fair play is enforced, consumers are protected, and revenue returns to our state,’ continued Clay.”

The GeoComply findings dovetail with expert forecasts over the years. Right now, sports betting in New York is the biggest gambling moneymaker in the United States. However, if Texas legalized sports betting tomorrow, analysts almost universally agree the market would overtake The Empire State within three years.

In fact, if we imagine a world in which every state has legalized sports betting, the revenue from California sports betting is expected to be the only one that can contend with The Lone Star State.

Future of Sports Betting in Texas Remains Murky Despite Interest

Supporters of Texas sports betting point toward all these various figures as proof of concept. Some estimates even peg the illegal Texas sports betting market as a multi-billion-dollar industry each year.

Between the widespread interest and the gambling already taking place, so many believe the legalization of Texas sports betting should be a no-brainer. Despite its downsides, they argue, it will do wonders for the state’s annual budget. Supporters are also quick to note that a regulated sports betting market is safer than having Texans turn to offshore betting sites or, worse, illegal domestic bookmakers.

Still, sentiment on the matter remains divisive. Legislative support skews heavily in favor of prohibiting Texas sports betting. This does not quite align with the state’s relative non-action against daily fantasy sports sites or prediction markets. But it is nevertheless true.

Granted, various initiatives have received more backing from officials over the years. One bill a couple of years ago even made it past the House of Representatives. To this point, though, the Senate has shown little interest in moving the agenda forward. Plenty of experts do not see that changing until Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick leaves office.

Is There a Realistic Timeline for Texas Gambling?

Others, meanwhile, are slightly more optimistic. They believe that sports betting in the United States has become too ubiquitous for Texas to keep sitting on the sidelines. They also seem to think that sports betting in The Lone Star State could be legalized by the end of the decade.

Active advocacy from pro sports teams in the Texas market could perhaps actualize that timeline. Yet, even optimists recognize Texas may need to expand casino gaming laws before dipping their toes into the sports betting issue. That inherently pushes any legalization timeline back.

Really, though, the key to everything is dialogue. So many legislative sessions have included little to no focus on sports betting legalization. It is impossible to estimate a realistic timeline until a more genuine discussion in both the House and Senate takes place. Will that conversation happen in 2026? We wouldn’t bet on it, but it’s certainly possible.

Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can find one that works for all of your sports betting needs: