I Live in Texas But Can’t Bet the Kentucky Derby Online: Do I Have Options?
Texas is one of over a dozen states that prohibit licensed US-based horse racing sites from accepting US customers but alas there are international sites in operation for more than two decades willing to take your action and best part of all - they will NEVER require you to submit a social security number. BetUS has been in existence since 1994 and offers up to $2500 in FREE BONUS MONEY. They insist its perfectly legal to do so based on current legislation exempting horse betting from a 2006 online gambling prohibition act.
Other Prohibited States: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Puerto Rico, The Virgin Islands, Canada
US-based TwinSpires.com suspended taking bets from Texans in September 2013. This has been an on-and-off process throughout the years as the Lone Star State policy fluctuates erratically.
Don’t expect TwinSpires.com to take horse wagers from Texas residents any time soon. Their rationale for suspension of service to the state was based on a dismissal of a federal lawsuit in which it challenged that state's ban on Internet gambling.
"As a result of an adverse court ruling in Texas, TwinSpires.com is suspending wagering activity from Texas residents effective Wednesday, Sept. 25," a statement from a Churchill Downs Inc. and TwinSpires.com said. "We will file an appeal and are optimistic that our legal arguments will prevail."
You know how appeals processes work.
Texas is the 2nd most populous state in the US with 26,448,193 for whom we suspect a nice chunk of them will be betting on alternative horse racing sites like BetUS.
- Mary Montgomery, Gambling911.com
