Is Polymarket legal in Texas?
Texas at a glance
| Question | Position as of November 11, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Is Polymarket US available? | Yes, with no state-specific restriction reported |
| State letter or lawsuit against Polymarket | None found |
| Legal sports betting | No |
| Attorney general's position | Did not join the 2026 multistate filings |
| Pending legislation | HJR 52: up to 10 casinos plus sports betting, voter approval in November 2027 |
| Federal circuit | Fifth, no ruling on sports event contracts |
Which Polymarket is in Texas
Polymarket US, the onshore app, runs through QCX LLC, a CFTC-designated contract market. The offshore polymarket.com is not meant for US residents. This page is about Polymarket US. The national rules are in is Polymarket legal in the US.
A big market with no sportsbook
Texas is the second-largest state without legal sports betting, and repeated bills to legalize sports wagering, casinos and daily fantasy have failed. That makes it one of the two most important states for sports event contracts: Eilers & Krejcik Gaming found that 43% of sports event contract activity came from Texas and California, according to iGaming Business. Advertising has leaned into that gap; one Polymarket ad told Texans football trading was “now legal,” KPRC 2 reported in September 2025.
The legislative route is open but long. HJR 52, filed by Rep. Charlie Geren for the 2027 session, would let lawmakers authorize up to 10 casinos and sports betting, with a statewide vote in November 2027, and needs two-thirds of both chambers first. Our HJR 52 explainer has the detail.
What Texas has and has not done
The state has not acted. Attorney General Ken Paxton's office did not sign the March 2026 letter from 39 attorneys general arguing that the CFTC lacks sole authority over prediction markets, and it did not respond when asked to join a later multistate brief, Texas Public Radio reported. The same report said Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick wants to close what he sees as a gambling loophole, while acknowledging that federal law stands in the way.
In September a Texas Senate committee held a hearing in Austin on prediction markets. The American Gaming Association urged the state to sue, and Kalshi warned that a crackdown would push Texans to offshore sites, according to iGaming Business. No bill or enforcement step has followed yet.
The Fifth Circuit and the federal picture
Texas sits in the Fifth Circuit, which has not ruled on whether sports event contracts are preempted swaps. The circuits that have are split: the Third Circuit sided with Kalshi in April, while the Ninth Circuit on August 28 and the Sixth Circuit on September 25 sided with the states. The Supreme Court petition in docket 26-299 could settle the question for Texas without Texas ever filing a case. Federally, the CFTC told exchanges on November 5 to stop geofencing states within 30 days or explain why; see our geofencing analysis.
What this means in practice
A Texas resident can open a Polymarket US account today, and Kalshi and other CFTC-registered exchanges are also available. That reflects the absence of state action, not a legal opinion; it could change through a lawsuit, legislation in 2027 or a Supreme Court ruling. This page describes the regulatory position and is not legal advice or a recommendation to trade.
Frequently asked questions
Is Polymarket legal in Texas?
Polymarket US operates in Texas and BetG8 found no Texas letter, lawsuit or court order naming it as of November 11, 2026. That is the practical position, not a court ruling on legality.
Is sports betting legal in Texas?
No. HJR 52 would let lawmakers authorize up to 10 casinos and sports betting if two-thirds of both chambers and then voters approve.
Has the Texas attorney general taken a position?
Not publicly. Ken Paxton's office stayed out of the 2026 multistate filings and has not acted against Polymarket or Kalshi.
Which federal appeals court covers Texas?
The Fifth Circuit. BetG8 found no Fifth Circuit ruling on sports event contracts.
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Sources
- Texas Public Radio, Dan Patrick eyes closing gambling loophole for prediction markets, May 1, 2026.
- The Texas Tribune, Texas prediction market regulations, May 1, 2026.
- iGaming Business, Texas Senate prediction markets hearing, September 2026.
- Legal Sports Report, Texas AG Paxton silent on prediction markets.
- KPRC 2 Click2Houston, Federal loopholes and sports betting alternatives in Texas, September 15, 2025.
18+ only. Prediction market contracts carry real financial risk. This page is analysis, not legal, financial or betting advice. If gambling stops being fun, call 1-800-GAMBLER.