World Cup Betting Boom Reignites Legalized Sports Betting Debate in Texas

Texas lawmakers are facing renewed pressure to legalize sports betting as the FIFA World Cup drives a wave of gambling activity across the state, even though traditional sportsbooks remain outlawed.  

According to Spectrum News, industry advocates say the tournament, which is being played across North America and with Texas hosting certain matches this summer, is proof that Texans are already wagering on games despite state law standing in the way. 

The best sports betting sites nationwide have posted World Cup betting volumes that have surpassed projections, giving fresh momentum to a debate that has stalled in Austin for years. Since conventional Texas sports betting is banned, many residents have turned to prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, which allow users to purchase contracts tied to the outcomes of sporting events rather than place traditional wagers. 

Support for legalization has grown among major Texas sports organizations and from the Adelson family, owners of casino operator Las Vegas Sands. Even with that backing, bills to legalize sports betting and casino gambling have repeatedly failed to gain traction in the legislature.  

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick continues to oppose any expansion of gambling in the state and has also signaled a desire to close what some call a loophole that allows prediction markets to operate legally. 

Joe Maloney, president of the Sports Betting Alliance, said his group intends to keep pushing lawmakers when the legislature reconvenes in January. He argued that legalization would let Texas collect tax revenue that currently flows to unregulated platforms. It would also fund treatment programs for problem gambling, an area where the state currently provides no dedicated funding.  

Record betting numbers nationwide

That same appetite for World Cup wagering has been playing out on a national scale, with the United States men's national team (USMNT) running through the tournament, pushing US sportsbooks to record betting volumes, only for its elimination to hand the house a substantial profit. 

The USMNT's Round of 16 loss to Belgium became the most-bet soccer match in the history of several major sportsbooks. BetMGM reported that the game drew more wagers than any 2026 College Football Playoff matchup outside the championship, the men's college basketball title game, or any championship series contest in the NBA, NHL, or MLB.  

The record for the most-bet on soccer game had already been broken multiple times earlier in the tournament, first during the group stage and again when the US beat Bosnia-Herzegovina. 

Caesars Sportsbook reported that 81% of the money wagered was behind the US advancing out of the round of 16, and additional bets were placed on forward Folarin Balogun to score during that same match. Because Americans bet heavily on their home team throughout the tournament, the loss to Belgium turned into a big financial win for operators.  

With the Americans eliminated, sportsbooks have shifted their attention to France, now the tournament favorite, along with Spain, Argentina, and England.