Is Kalshi Legal in Texas Right Now?

🚨 Kalshi Texas Referral Code	ACTION
💰 Kalshi Texas Referral Bonus	Trade on Sports & Politics – Get a $10 Bonus with Our Code!
✍️ Terms & Conditions	Must be 18 years or older and have a legal, U.S. residential address within the applicable state, D.C., or U.S. territories. Not available in AZ, IL, MD, MI, MT, NJ, and OH.
✅ Promo Info Last Verified	November 19, 2025

Kalshi's Legal Timeline for Texas

So, how did we get here?

• 2020: KalshiEX LLC is approved by federal regulators as a designated contract market. That license sits with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (usually called the futures trading commission CFTC). This is where the regulatory oversight lives at the federal level.

• 2021: Public launch. Kalshi starts offering event contracts, operating as an exchange rather than a sportsbook.

• 2024: A federal court sides with Kalshi in the election-contracts fight, narrowing the CFTC’s attempt to block those listings. The ruling helps explain why a CFTC-regulated exchange can operate in states that have not legalized sports betting, like Texas and California.

• Early-Mid 2025: Sports listings expand, and Kalshi continues offering contracts while cases pop up in other states. Some courts grant preliminary injunctions, others don't, and filings reference places like Nevada and New Jersey without changing access in Texas.

• Sept 30, 2025: CFTC staff issues an advisory reminding everyone that state gambling laws can still apply to sports-related event contracts even on a CFTC-registered venue. What that means in Texas: you can use the platform today, but state law could still matter if Texas officials step in.

With that context in mind, here’s what you’ll usually see on the board when sports are listed.

What Sports Can You Trade On Kalshi?

Markets rotate with the calendar. When sports are listed, Texans usually see contracts around major leagues and big tent-pole moments.

Local pro teams

• NFL: Cowboys and Texans outcomes and season checkpoints (when posted).
• NBA: Mavericks, Spurs, Rockets.
• MLB: Astros, Rangers.
• NHL and MLS: Stars, Austin FC, Houston Dynamo.

Marquee sporting events

• Super Bowl week usually brings a ton of listings.
• Masters Golf Tournament markets tend to show up during golf’s spring swing.
• Kentucky Derby contracts (horse racing) can appear in the run-up to race day.

College

• Conference titles and postseason paths come up around championship windows. Availability can vary based on filings and state gambling regulators/laws.

Common Market Types

• Game or series outcomes and season milestones.
• Futures and awards markets when listed.
• In 2025, some player-based contracts have shown up in certain leagues.

Each listing tells you precisely what source decides the result and the exact time it’s checked, so you know how the contract will settle.

Why Prediction Markets Feel Different From Sportsbooks

Contracts trade between 0 and 1. They settle at 1 if you’re right and 0 if you’re not. In recent filings, Kalshi argues these listings fall under federal derivatives oversight, while some critics frame them as gaming contracts under certain state codes. You’re trading outcomes on an exchange, not placing wagers with you do with the top sportsbooks. Oversight is federal (Commodity Futures Trading Commission), not a Texas sportsbook license.

Beyond Sports: Other Kalshi Event Contracts Texans Trade

Sports get the headlines, but Kalshi’s prediction markets cover a lot more. Think outcomes tied to public data and scheduled events, with clear sources and settlement rules:

• Politics: Elections and policy outcomes show up throughout the year on the exchange. For example, you can see markets tied to the 2025 government shutdown or a major city mayoral race. Learn more about Kalshi election markets, as well as the best sites for political betting, by reading our guides.
• Economics & finance: CPI prints, jobs reports, and rate-path questions are common. For instance, contracts that settle off the Bureau of Labor Statistics release (e.g., “Will August CPI top 0.3%?”).
• Weather: Daily high-temperature brackets and similar markets, usually resolved using National Weather Service data for specific cities (Austin included at times). Good for short windows and quick settlement.
• Culture & entertainment: Award shows and other cultural moments (like Taylor Swift's new album) appear around tent-pole dates. Availability rotates, but the “Culture” category is a standing tab in the exchange UI.
• Tech & science, world news: From product launches to major scheduled announcements, you’ll see markets when there’s a clear, verifiable outcome and a listed source in the market rules.

A couple of quick notes to set expectations: availability can change, especially near big sporting events or high-profile political dates, and each market page spells out the resolution source and payout rules. That transparency is part of the platform’s regulatory oversight and consumer protections angle.

Kalshi Banking in Texas

Funding and cashing out are simple, but the details matter.

Deposits

• Bank transfer (ACH): no Kalshi fee. You’ll link your bank through Aeropay. First-time deposits can sit on a security hold before they’re withdrawable.
• Debit card: 2% processing fee on deposits.

Withdrawals

• Bank transfer (ACH): no fee; arrival time depends on your bank.
• Debit card: $2 fee; funds usually show within about 30 minutes; daily card-withdrawal limit is $2,500.

Before you pick a payment method, the bank account must be in your name, and some deposit types carry temporary withdrawal holds (debit funds release after a short window; ACH timing varies). If something looks off or you have questions, support is via email.

Responsible Trading Tools

You’ve got responsible gambling tools you can turn on anytime:

• Trading break: pause your own activity for a set period.
• Personalized funding cap: set a monthly ceiling that fits your budget.
• Voluntary opt-out: ask Kalshi to block your access for a chosen term.

If you or someone you know has a problem gambling concern, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800GAMBLER.org.

Tips for Trading on Kalshi in Texas

• Start with size, not gut feelings. Pick a fixed dollar risk per contract and stick to it.
• Read the rules link. Know the resolution source and lock time before you buy.
• Watch correlation. Doubling up on highly related questions can snowball losses.
• Calendar the big weeks. Super Bowl and the Masters Golf Tournament tend to draw more listings and faster moves.
• Plan cash flow. ACH is fee-free but slower; debit is faster with a $2 fee.
• Keep a simple log of entries and exits so you can review what’s working without guessing.
• Set a weekly reminder to scan new Kalshi Texas predictions before major slate days.