Can I use Kalshi in Texas?
Kalshi is open in Texas, sports included. No court order or state enforcement action limits Kalshi in Texas as of the check date, and Kalshi's Member Agreement restricts no US state.
Texas sits in the Fifth Circuit, which has not ruled on prediction markets. State legislative committees plan to make recommendations on prediction markets in 2027.
Which Kalshi markets are open in Texas
- Open: Every Kalshi category: sports, politics and elections, economics, financials, crypto, weather, culture, tech and science, and mentions.
- Blocked: None, as of the check date.
- Minimum age: 18.
- Federal appeals court: the Fifth Circuit.
Which prediction markets are legal in Texas?
- Kalshi is a CFTC-designated exchange since 2020. You trade in dollars, and withdrawals go to a debit card, bank, PayPal, Venmo or crypto wallet.
- Polymarket US is a separate CFTC-regulated exchange from polymarket.com. Polymarket US publishes no state list. The app checks eligibility at signup.
- polymarket.com rejects new positions from anywhere in the US.
- Gemini Predictions is open to US residents 18 and over. Gemini says availability varies by location and names no state.
Court history for Texas
The rulings and actions shaping Kalshi's status in Texas, oldest first.
- April 2026. The Third Circuit rules 2-1 for Kalshi in New Jersey: sports contracts are swaps under federal law, and federal law overrides state gambling law.
- August 28, 2026. The Ninth Circuit rules 3-0 for Nevada: Kalshi's sports contracts are gambling under state law, not federally regulated swaps. The ruling binds federal courts across the Ninth Circuit.
- September 2, 2026. New Jersey asks the US Supreme Court to review the Third Circuit ruling. The two circuits now disagree, the kind of split the Supreme Court exists to settle.
- September 25, 2026. The Sixth Circuit holds that Ohio and Tennessee can regulate Kalshi's sports contracts, joining the Ninth Circuit against Kalshi.
Why states fight Kalshi
Kalshi holds a federal license from the CFTC. Several states say Kalshi's sports contracts are gambling, and gambling belongs to the states. Federal appeals courts split on the question:
- For Kalshi: the Third Circuit, for New Jersey, in April 2026.
- Against Kalshi: the Ninth Circuit for Nevada on August 28, 2026, and the Sixth Circuit for Ohio and Tennessee on September 25, 2026.
- Pending: the Fourth Circuit for Maryland, argued May 7, 2026, and New Jersey's petition to the Supreme Court, filed September 2, 2026.
A split between circuits is the classic path to the Supreme Court. Until then, your access depends on where you live and on any court order in your state.
What to watch next in Texas
- Texas legislative committee recommendations on prediction markets, expected in 2027.
- Whether the Supreme Court takes New Jersey's petition. A ruling there settles the question for every state at once.
How to confirm your own access
- Open the Kalshi app and sign up or sign in. Kalshi checks your location and residence.
- Open a market in the category you want. The app shows whether your account trades the market.
- For Polymarket US and Gemini, the signup flow confirms eligibility for your state.
- Check this page again after big court dates. Rivo rechecks every state page monthly.
Trade Kalshi from Texas with Rivo
Rivo connects to your own Kalshi account through an API key. Rivo never gets around a geofence: a market Kalshi blocks for your account stays blocked in Rivo. What you get on top:
For other states and countries, use the prediction market location checker. How Kalshi is regulated is covered in is Kalshi legit, and the two Polymarket products in is Polymarket legal in the US.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kalshi legal in Texas?
Yes, Kalshi is legal in Texas. It is a CFTC-regulated exchange, and no court order limits it there. Open to US residents. Kalshi's Member Agreement restricts no US state, and no court order limits it here.
Is Polymarket legal in Texas?
Polymarket US: Open to US residents, verified in the Polymarket US app. Polymarket US publishes no state list, so the app has the final say. polymarket.com: polymarket.com does not accept new positions from the United States. US residents use Polymarket US instead.
How old do you have to be to use Kalshi in Texas?
18. Kalshi's help center sets 18 as the minimum, and the Member Agreement requires the age of majority in your state, which is 18 here.
Does a VPN get around a Kalshi or Polymarket block?
No. Polymarket blocks restricted locations and its terms forbid VPN use. Kalshi verifies identity and residence, and the Michigan court order requires a licensed geolocation check.
Can I bet on sports with Kalshi in Texas?
Yes. Texas has no court order against Kalshi as of September 27, 2026, so sports markets are open to Texas residents along with every other category.
Which Kalshi markets are open in Texas?
Every category: sports, politics and elections, economics, financials, crypto, weather, culture, tech and science, and mentions. No court order limits Kalshi in Texas as of September 27, 2026.
Is Polymarket legal in Texas?
Polymarket US accepts Texas residents after an identity check in its app. polymarket.com does not accept new positions from the US.
Will Texas ban Kalshi?
Nothing is scheduled. State legislative committees plan recommendations on prediction markets in 2027. Rivo updates this page when Texas acts.
Updated September 27, 2026. Not legal advice. Rules change, and the venue's app has the final say.