DraftKings Sportsbook Texas

The mobile sports betting industry is headed for Texas sooner or later, even though lawmakers have not made substantial progress on sports betting legislation in some time. Many big sportsbooks are already pushing for legalization so they can apply for licensure, and one of the most famous and popular sportsbooks to come to Texas soon after legalization is DraftKings.

That’s good news for sports betting enthusiasts because DraftKings is one of the best sportsbooks in the market. Let’s break down everything you need to know about this mobile sports betting platform so you’re ready to use it to its maximum extent when it finally arrives.

DraftKings Texas Promo Code

One of the first things to look at when choosing a new sportsbook is the opening bonus. Opening bonuses are designed to draw in new players and get you to try out a new sports betting app instead of their competitors. Fortunately, DraftKings has one of the most generous opening bonuses in the industry in terms of its total potential value. You can get up to over $1000 in site credit based on your initial deposit.

Terms & conditions apply.

DraftKings Texas Promo Code
No Deposit Bonus$30 bonus bet
Deposit/Match Bonus20% up to $1000
What States Allow DraftKingsNH, IN, IL, IA, PA, CO, TN, VA, WV, MI, NJ
DraftKings’s Land-Based PartnerN/A
Promo Code Verified ForComing Soon

How To Register For A DraftKings Account

If and when sports betting comes to the Lone Star State, registering for a new DraftKings account should be quick and simple. Given that Texas is unlikely to legalize retail casinos in the near future, in-person registration will not likely be necessary.

Therefore, you’ll be able to register for a new sportsbook account through a completely online process. But the process will be slightly different depending on your mobile device’s operating system.

  • iPhone users should simply visit the App Store and type in “DraftKings” to locate the mobile app and start the download 
  • Traditionally, the Google Play Store did not allow for direct downloads for any gambling app. They’ve changed their position, however, and DraftKings Sportsbook was the first app to be available for direct download for Android users.

After downloading DraftKings to your mobile device, you’ll be able to complete the registration process by providing your physical address, Social Security number, and so on. Then link a bank account or credit or debit card and you’ll be able to fund your account immediately.

Be sure to keep DraftKings’ generous opening bonus in mind (more on that below)! You’ll have more wagering cash right off the bat if you deposit a higher amount upon signing up for your sportsbook account.

DraftKings: Bonus And Promotional Grade (4/5)

As mentioned, DraftKings’s opening bonus is one of the most generous and potentially valuable on the market, although it comes with several strings attached.

The first part of the opening bonus is a bonus bet worth up to $50 depending on the amount you initially deposit. This bonus bet can be used anywhere on the sportsbook app. For instance, if you deposit $30, you can get a $30 bonus bet to use as you please. The bonus bet has to be placed within seven days of opening your account or it expires.

The second part of the opening bonus is a 20% deposit match worth up to $1000. For example, if you deposit $500, you’ll get a $100 bonus in the form of DraftKings site credit in addition to the above-mentioned $30 bonus bet. The bonus is worth up to $1000, so you’d need to deposit $5000 to get the full bonus amount.

However, note that you cannot withdraw any winnings from the site credit from the deposit match bonus until you clear the bonus at a rate of $1 for every $25 wagered. Therefore, it’ll likely take you some time to clear any substantial winnings from the opening bonus.

Still, DraftKings’s bonus is attractive for many – it’s an excellent opportunity to boost your wagering power right off the bat and keep placing bets on one of the industry’s best mobile sportsbooks.

DraftKings Texas: Odds Vs The Competition Grade (5/5)

Because DraftKings is one of the most established sportsbooks in the industry, it’s no surprise that its linemakers produce player-friendly odds for all of its betting markets. Whether you like to bet on the underdog or the favorite, you’ll find plenty of excellent wagers and potentially profitable odds everywhere you look.

Additionally, DraftKings offers a standard plethora of different wager types, including moneyline bets, parlay bets, totals wagers, and so on. If you want to place a wager as the action of your favorite game is unfolding, DraftKings has you covered because it supports both live streaming and live or in-play betting simultaneously.

One more thing – DraftKings provides mobile-only betting pools for users of the sportsbook app instead of the desktop platform. These specialized betting pools are usually focused on current big games or promotions, but they’re still a fun feature to check out, especially because DraftKings’s mobile app is slick and smooth to navigate through.

DraftKings Texas: Market Depth And Variety Grade (5/5)

As with its high-quality odds compared to the competition, DraftKings provides very good market depth and variety, which is a measure of how many betting markets and pools a sportsbook has across different leagues or industries.

When it comes to American professional sports, DraftKings has everything you could want and more… in states where it currently operates, that is. Should Texas legalize sports betting, players will likely benefit from very broad and robust market selection when it comes to professional sports like football, baseball, and basketball: all of these are popular sports in the Lone Star State.

However, it remains to be seen whether Texas will allow collegiate betting for both in-state teams or any games played in its borders. DraftKings does provide excellent collegiate betting markets in states where the activity is legal, so we’ll have to see how this aspect of the grade pans out over the next year or so.

But DraftKings also has a great history when it comes to niche betting markets and variety. For example, states that currently provide DraftKings sports betting include markets for darts, cricket, rugby, NASCAR, and more. Fun American sports and international sports are all represented.

All in all, DraftKings will likely provide some of the best market depth and variety to Texans if and when it finally comes to this state. 

DraftKings: Deposit And Cashout Grade (4/5)

Some sportsbooks are much better when it comes to providing a variety of ways to deposit funds to your sports betting account and ways to withdraw your funds after a great winning streak. DraftKings is one of the best in this regard. It’ll allow you to make deposits to your sports betting account using debit or credit cards, bank transfers, electronic wallets like PayPal, and more. You can even connect a direct bank account and wire yourself money for near-instantaneous transfers.

Texans will also be able to make deposits at PayNearMe terminals at gas stations. If your personal bank has a bill pay functionality, you can use this to give yourself regular sports betting allowances.

The good news is that you’ll be able to withdraw your funds using most of the above methods as well. Transfers to your credit or debit cards, linked bank accounts, electronic wallets are all supported. The only downside is that most of these methods take a few business days, as there isn’t an option to get your winnings instantly without visiting a retail casino (which is unlikely to be legalized in Texas).

DraftKings: Mobile App Grade (5/5)

You should only choose a mobile sportsbook that has a fantastic app experience. DraftKings scores highly here as well in part due to its streamlined and intuitive user interface. You’ll be able to find any betting pool or market (of which there are tons) in a matter of moments thanks to how well everything is laid out.

For example, you can find most of the primary controls and betting markets at the top of the screen. Your betting slip is at the bottom of the screen and can be accessed by flicking your thumb up at any time you like. DraftKings provides a bunch of information for each wager as well, so you can make informed betting decisions.

The app overall is also quite smooth and usually lag-free. So you won’t have to worry about your live streaming or betting stuttering during high-traffic days: a key concern for Texans who want to be able to place live bets seamlessly when the app finally arrives.

DraftKings: Overall Grade (4.8/5)

As you can see, DraftKings is a fantastic mobile sportsbook through and through. There are few competitors that match its sheer variety in betting markets, high quality and player-friendly odds, streamlined and functional mobile app interface, and generous opening bonus. While no sportsbook is perfect, DraftKings comes pretty close.

Furthermore, DraftKings often provides excellent promotional bonuses and special wagering opportunities related to the current sports season or big matchups coming soon. All in all, Texans interested in jumping into the mobile sports betting market when it is finally legalized would do well to consider DraftKings as their first pick.

Is DraftKings Legit?

Absolutely. DraftKings is based in Boston and has provided sports betting since 2012. Therefore, it’s had many years of operation in dozens of other states throughout the country that have already legalized sports betting since PASPA was struck down in 2018 by the Supreme Court.

Furthermore, the fact that DraftKings already operates in a variety of other states is proof that it’s worth your time and money. One of the few apps that operates in just as many is FanDuel. All of those states’ regulatory bodies or lottery commissions have already vetted DraftKings and checked it out for potential issues.

Indeed, DraftKings is known to have excellent digital security, so you won’t have to worry about your personal information being stolen by hackers. It’s also insured, so in the event of a potential breach, your money will be refunded up to a certain amount.

Plus, lots of professional sports leagues already have deals with DraftKings. In short, DraftKings is indeed legitimate and very much worth its reputation.

Why Choose DraftKings Over Illegal Betting Sites?

It can be tempting to check out offshore or illegal books since Texas’s legislature is dragging its heels when it comes to legalizing sports betting. But you should never use illegal betting sites since they aren’t regulated by any authoritative body.

Because of this, they aren’t investigated and there’s nothing stopping them from taking any money you deposit into your account. Furthermore, many offshore or illegal sportsbooks don’t have excellent odds or good wagering opportunities. Any sports betting experience you try to have with these books will likely be subpar.

Even worse, your personal information is always put at risk when you use an illegal betting site. Your Social Security number or personal address can be used by hackers to steal your identity, causing huge financial headaches later down the road.

In the end, it’s better to wait for Texas to finally legalize legitimate sports betting than it is to use an offshore site.

Why Can You Trust DraftKings With Your Money?

As mentioned earlier, DraftKings has excellent digital security and, when it applies for licensure in Texas, will be investigated thoroughly by the Lottery Commission. This means that DraftKings will be investigated for potential fraud, subpar security, and lack of insurance.

When it passes all of these measures, you’ll be able to trust DraftKings with your money since:

  • Hackers won’t be able to get it
  • DraftKings will not misuse it or contest your winnings
  • Any issues can be taken straight to the Lottery Commission for resolution

Plus, DraftKings will be reviewed annually by the Lottery Commission, which will ensure that it will be a safe and fair place to play for the foreseeable future.

DraftKings Sportsbook Fact Sheet

How old do you have to be?21
What states is DraftKings legal in?NH, PA, NJ, VA, WV, MI, IN, IA, IL, CO, TN, MI
Who is DraftKings’ partner in Texas?N/A
Launch date in TexasTBA

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI/VA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+. NJ/PA/WV/IN/IA/CO/IL/TN/MI/VA only.

1-855-442-7105 (TX). Licensed in Texas. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

DraftKings Texas Sportsbook FAQs

Do you have to be in Texas when placing a sports wager on the DraftKings mobile app?

Yes. While details haven’t yet been finalized, the DraftKings mobile sportsbook will probably come with geolocation software. It’ll track your location when using the app and prevent you from placing a bet outside state lines.

Will DraftKings provide in-play betting when it comes to Texas?

Absolutely. It already offers the feature in other states where sports betting is currently legal. It’ll also provide live streaming so you can watch the action unfold on your mobile device as you place a wager.

Is DraftKings legal in Texas at this time?

No, but no other sportsbook is either. However, because DraftKings already provides daily fantasy sports to Texas residents, and because it has a vested interest in maintaining its market dominance, this sportsbook will likely be among the first to seek licensure once sports betting is legalized.

Who is DraftKings partnered with in Texas at this time?

DraftKings doesn’t currently have any partner, even among the local Native American casinos in Texas. Because brick-and-mortar casino wagering is not likely to be legalized, DraftKings will also likely not be required to partner with a retail casino before launching its mobile sportsbook. It may be required to partner with a local Texas professional sports league. 

Can you place wagers with eSports activities with the DraftKings sportsbook in Texas?

When DraftKings does finally come to Texas, eSports wagering markets are likely to be offered. DraftKings is currently one of the few sportsbooks to have a robust eSports wagering pool. The decision to offer eSports bets will be up to the Texas government. 

Can you sign up for DraftKings anywhere in the state once sports betting is legalized?

Yes. It’s unlikely the Texas legislature will require in-person registration for DraftKings or any other mobile sportsbook. But we’ll have to wait and see what lawmakers say before coming to any final conclusions.

About the Author

Amber Hoffman

Amber Hoffman is Managing Editor of TexasCasinos.com. She's spent the last decade developing content for sites in a variety of industries, including sports and gaming.