People in Texas love their sports. From Friday night high school football to Dallas Cowboys Sundays, it’s a part of the culture. But when it comes to betting, the story’s different. Despite some states legalizing sports betting and a few legal-ish workarounds online, many local bettors (Texans) still use the best Texas offshore sportsbooks. Why? Because for a lot of people, they just work better.
Let’s be real—Texas doesn’t offer legal, regulated sports betting. Not yet. So, if someone in Austin or Houston wants to bet on the Cowboys or March Madness, they either drive to Louisiana or fire up one of the many offshore sportsbooks that still accept U.S. customers. And a good chunk of folks pick the second option.
No In-State Betting Means Offshore Is the Default for Many
Texas has strict laws when it comes to gambling. You won’t find an in-state sportsbook like MyBookie or BetUs that you can easily log into. Hence, offshore sportsbooks are not competing with local options—they’re filling a gap. For someone in Dallas who wants to bet $50 on a Longhorns game, the question isn’t whether he prefers regulated or unregulated options. It’s either offshore or nothing.
This is a big reason why these sites are still so popular. They’ve become the defaults. They are known, and people have gotten accustomed to them.
Offshore Sportsbooks Have Been Around Longer Than Legal U.S. Ones
Offshore sportsbooks didn’t start operating overnight. Some have been in business for over a decade, with a bigger customer base and more betting options than the newly established U.S. sportsbooks. Long-standing sportsbooks include BetOnline, MyBookie, and Bovada, all of which have a good reputation.
When U.S. sportsbooks started rolling out, they were state-specific and did not operate across the country. Due to a lack of competition, offshore sportsbooks surfaced with enticing offers: full NFL slates, same-day payouts (in some cases), live in-play betting and, to top it all off, crypto deposits. This surely gave wagers what they were looking for.
User Experience Still Matters More Than “Legal” to Many
But, for a lot of users, it is all about convenience and interface. With offshore services, there is no need to jump through unnecessary hoops. No geolocation software unlocks. No state validation. No KYC upload rejection that takes almost a week to withdraw funds because of the irritating delays.
When betting offshore, it is as simple as logging in and placing your bet. There are undoubtedly some bettors who want to be compliant with changing state laws. However, most bettors just want a simple, effortless gambling experience with quick withdrawals.
Some Offshore Books Offer More Competitive Odds
Not always, but enough to matter. Offshore sportsbooks often have different pricing structures than regulated U.S. books. With less overhead and fewer fees, they can sometimes offer better odds or reduced juice.
This isn’t something every casual bettor notices, but sharper players definitely do. Over time, even a slight improvement in odds adds up. Especially in big markets like NFL spreads or UFC moneylines, these differences can influence where bettors go.
Offshore Bonuses Are Bigger and Easier to Unlock
Offshore books are aggressive with their promos. It’s how they stay competitive. First-time deposit bonuses can go up to 100% or more, sometimes with lower rollover requirements than legal U.S. books. Legal books might throw you a “$200 bonus” that requires ten separate $50 bets to unlock. Offshore books might double your deposit outright.
That kind of value grabs attention. And if the goal is maximizing bankroll, it’s hard to ignore.
Not all offshore sportsbooks are shady operations. Some of the more established names fall under what’s known as legal offshore sportsbooks, where sports betting is licensed and regulated. These platforms follow local laws in their home countries and still accept U.S. players. As long as you’re just placing bets for personal use and not running your book, you’re not breaking any federal rules by using them.
Crypto Betting Options Add Flexibility
Crypto betting is growing fast, and offshore books have been quicker to adopt it. Want to deposit with Bitcoin or Ethereum? Most offshore platforms will let you do that with no issue. Some even offer bonuses just for using crypto.
Legal U.S. books, on the other hand, are tied to traditional banking rails. You’re looking at credit cards, bank transfers, or linked wallets. Not everyone wants their bank knowing about their betting activity—or having it show up on a statement.
Privacy Is Still a Priority for Some
Not everyone wants their betting tied to their name, email, home address, and Social Security number. Offshore sites often require less personal information, especially if you’re depositing and withdrawing with crypto.
While that doesn’t mean you should avoid all verification (especially for large withdrawals), many offshore sportsbooks let you stay semi-anonymous. That appeals to privacy-conscious users and those who just don’t want their betting tied to their identity long-term.
No State-Level Restrictions or Weird Rules
With legal U.S. sportsbooks, your options change depending on where you’re standing. Drive from Oklahoma to Texas and suddenly your app stops working. Some states ban college sports bets, others don’t. Some require you to sign up in person.
Offshore sportsbooks don’t care about your GPS. Their lines don’t disappear based on your zip code. For bettors who move around or just don’t want to deal with geofencing limitations, that matters.
Offshores Cover More Events and Niche Markets
Want to bet on eSports? Minor league baseball? Political elections? Offshore books have you covered. They’re less restricted in what they can legally offer. That means more prop bets, more obscure markets, and often quicker updates on odds.
This is especially appealing to bettors who like variety or follow international sports. Legal sportsbooks are improving here, but offshores still lead in breadth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are offshore sportsbooks legal to use in Texas?
A: They operate in legal gray areas. While they aren’t licensed in Texas, individuals using them for personal betting aren’t currently targeted by law enforcement.
Q: Can I use U.S. bank cards to deposit on offshore sites?
A: Sometimes, but not always. Many offshore sportsbooks now encourage crypto or e-wallets since traditional banking methods get blocked more often.
Q: What bettors should know about tax responsibilities when using offshore sportsbooks in Texas?
A: Even if you use offshore sites, gambling winnings are still considered taxable income under U.S. law. You’re responsible for reporting it on your federal tax return.
Q: Do offshore books pay out reliably?
A: Most of the well-known ones do, especially if you’re using crypto or smaller withdrawals. But always research the site’s reputation before depositing large sums.
Q: Can I get in trouble for betting on offshore sites in Texas?
A: As of now, individuals are rarely targeted. Enforcement focuses on operators, not users. Still, it’s smart to stay informed in case laws change.
Betting Without Borders: Why Offshore Still Works for Texans
For Texans, offshore sportsbooks continue to offer a practical solution. Not perfect. Not risk-free. But accessible, functional, and familiar. Until Texas passes real, regulated betting options—and assuming it ever does—offshore books will stay in the mix. They aren’t going away because they still solve problems legal books haven’t touched. And that’s why people keep logging in.
