Tennessee is the lone state with an online-only sports betting law. Despite the state’s strict betting laws and absence of in-person gambling, Tennessee is shaping up to be a thriving U.S. market for local and visiting bettors.
There are currently seven online sportsbooks operating in Tennessee, but others should soon follow.
The sports gambling landscape is fluid in the Volunteer State, so be sure to bookmark this page to stay on top of the latest news and updates.
Population: 6.9 million
Legal age for sports betting: 21
Online sports betting: Yes
Retail sportsbooks: No
Sports betting revenue: $312 million
Yes, online sports betting is legal in Tennessee. On July 1, 2019, the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act came into effect as Gov. Bill Lee agreed to allow the bill to become law without his signature. Gov. Lee vehemently opposed the idea of gambling but understood online sports betting was in his state’s best interest.
Sixteen months later, online and mobile sports betting finally went live. November 1, 2020, marked the end of a long and drawn-out operator application process.
Heavy hitters like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM were among the first online sportsbooks to go live in Tennessee.
If you are at least 21-years of age and physically present in the state of Tennessee, you may place a sports bet. With the absence of casinos or racinos, all sports wagers must be placed online in the Volunteer State.
Head on over to a sports betting website or download its accompanying app to get started. Here’s a rundown of the things you need to know before placing your first bet:
Legal ageYou must be 21-years or older to partake in Tennessee sports betting.
Mobile bettingSports bets must be placed with legal online sports betting websites or mobile apps in Tennessee. Currently, the Tennessee Education Lottery Commission regulates all online betting.
As of Jan. 1, 2022, however, the Sports Wagering Advisory Council will take over regulation duties.
Remote registrationAs there are no in-person options in Tennessee, those wanting to make a sports wager have the benefit of completing the entire registration process online. While some states require bettors to visit a casino or off-track betting site before getting started, Tennessee bettors can simply enter some personal information and get started online in minutes.
Within state bordersUsers must have both feet within state lines to place a sports bet in Tennessee. Online sportsbooks are required to verify your exact whereabouts, so if geolocation services are blocked you will not be permitted to place a bet.
Retail sportsbooksOf the states to have legalized sports betting, Tennessee is the only one not to offer an in-person gambling experience. As such, there are no brick-and-mortar retail sportsbooks in the Volunteer State — and no plans to add any in the near future.
Taxable winningsAlthough all winnings from sports bets are taxed at the federal level, there is no personal state tax on these winnings in Tennessee.
Tennessee sportsbooks typically withhold 25% of all winnings, provided you share your SSN. If you decline to do so, 28% of your winnings will most likely be held.
Our experts do the research, review, and apply demanding quality standards when vetting each of these recommended Indiana betting sites. We never recommend a sportsbook that we would not bet with ourselves.
The DraftKings sportsbook was the first to go live in Tennessee and is well-ensconced in the market. The state's online-only betting policy pairs well with the operator's sleek mobile apps, available to download free for on your iOS and Android devices.
The BetMGM sportsbook is available to download free for iOS and Android devices. It leverages the convenience of a robust live betting section and an all-in-one wallet. As a new user, you can claim a welcome bonus that carries fewer restrictions than most of its in-state competitors.
New FanDuel sportsbook users can claim a $1,000 risk-free bet upon activation. The operator excels at live betting and its combined digital wallet allows you to deposit funds and use them for sports betting and daily fantasy.
The ability to register and place bets remotely is a big plus for sports bettors in Tennessee. This ease of access is sure to encourage beginner and intermediate sports gamblers to try out the handful of online sportsbooks operating in the state.
Placing a physical bet can be enjoyable as well, but unfortunately, that won’t be an option for Tennesseeans. Additionally, the mandated 10% hold on all wagers means sports bettors have access to less favorable odds compared to other states with legalized sports betting.
Tennessee boasts the lone online-only sports betting law in the nation.
There’s only one option if you’re looking to get started with Tennessee sports betting. In order to place your first bet, you must register with an online sportsbook via their website or mobile app.
When perusing the offerings of the various online sportsbooks in Tennessee, be sure to consider not only promotional offerings but the odds and prices offered by each provider.
Tennessee’s 10% mandatory hold of sports wagers far exceeds the national average, so it’s important to find the most favorable betting opportunities.
After checking out some reviews and reading over the terms and conditions of each provider, you’ll be reading to move forward with the sportsbook that best meets your betting needs.
Tennessee’s fully online sports betting provides users with a streamlined registration process.
Tennesseans can either register on a sports betting website or a mobile app. After selecting a sportsbook, simply enter some personal information and verify your identity. It’s that easy.
Like other states, Tennessee sportsbooks regularly offer sign-up bonuses to reward users for choosing their betting platform. It’s especially important to sniff out the most lucrative offers in Tennessee, however, as online providers are required to withhold a larger portion of your winnings than sportsbooks in other states. Here are some of the more popular bonuses in the Volunteer State:
Aside from the inability to live bet college sports, you’ll find all other popular bet types on Tennessee online sportsbooks. These include moneylines, point spreads, Over/Under (totals), futures, prop betting, teasers, and more.
Tennessee bettors will be able to deposit funds with ease. Online sportsbooks offer a variety of methods including debit & credit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, PayNearMe, and more.
Line shopping is always a good idea — and this especially rings true in Tennessee. It’s crucial to identify the sportsbook(s) offering the best lines. Not every Tennessee online sportsbook will offer the same bets, so it’s up to players to make sure they’re not leaving any money on the table.
While deposits will be nearly instantaneous, players should expect withdrawals to take a bit longer to process. Be sure to familiarize yourself with each sportsbook’s terms and conditions and keep an eye on the fees associated with your institution or payment processor of choice.
Odds explainedMost sportsbooks use American Odds as the default option. Favorites are shown with a minus (-) sign and tell you the amount you have to wager in order to win $100. For example, -120 odds indicate $120 needs to be wagered in order to take home $100 in profit.
A plus (+) sign is used to determine the Underdog. This line shows you the amount you’ll win when placing a $100 bet. For example, +180 odds indicate you’d take home $180 in profit when placing a wager of $100. When you bet on an Underdog, you are less likely to win — but receive a more favorable betting line.
Moneyline odds are displayed for other types of bets as well. Some players prefer to view decimal odds, and some Tennessee sportsbooks may support that functionality. Check out our odds converter to switch from American to decimal or fractions.
Although sports betting — and gambling in general — is relatively new to Tennesseeans, the Volunteer State has become the quickest in the nation to reach $1 billion in sports bets. It’s taken Tennessee just six months to hit 10 figures.
Here’s a breakdown of Tennessee’s sports betting earnings thus far:
|
Year |
Total handle |
Revenue |
Hold percentage |
Tax revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2020 |
$312M |
$27M |
8.8% |
$5.4M |
|
2021 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Month |
2021 |
2020 |
|---|---|---|
|
January |
$211M |
N/A |
|
February |
$176M |
N/A |
|
March |
$206M |
N/A |
|
April |
$172M |
N/A |
|
May |
- |
N/A |
|
June |
- |
N/A |
|
July |
- |
N/A |
|
August |
- |
N/A |
|
September |
- |
N/A |
|
October |
- |
N/A |
|
November |
- |
$131M |
|
December |
- |
$181M |
|
Total |
$765M |
$312M |
There are very few limitations for Tennessee sports bettors, but there are a few types of college wagers that are not available. You won’t find any high school athletics to wager on either, as all amateur sports involving underage athletes are off-limits.
PoliticsTennesseeans are not permitted to bet on politics, at any level, in the Volunteer State.
College sports are fair game in Tennessee, with the exception of live-betting and college player props. Aside from that, sports bettors are free to place wagers on both in and out-of-state collegiate teams.
The hype around the league's signature offseason event is real, especially with regards to betting. Tennessee bettors can capitalize on this legal market for all seven rounds. Daily changes to the prop markets and the barrage of news updates fuel the betting action.
Tennessee is one of few states to include esports gambling in their sports betting laws. Sportsbooks in Tennessee are able to offer esports betting; however, The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation (TELC) does need to approve each event individually before online sportsbooks can offer any odds to interested bettors.
There are no retail sportsbooks in Tennessee. Tennessee is the lone online-only sports betting state in the US. There are currently seven active sportsbooks in the state, but with no limitations on the number of licenses allowed, we could see a continued influx of sportsbooks in the Tennessee market.
|
Online sportsbook operator |
Mobile app |
Odds provider |
Online casino |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Action 24/7 |
Yes |
Action 24/7 |
No |
|
Yes |
BetMGM |
No |
|
|
Yes |
Kambi |
No |
|
|
Yes |
Flutter |
No |
|
|
Yes |
Kambi |
No |
|
|
Yes |
William Hill |
No |
|
|
Yes |
GAN |
No |
While it’s legal to bet on hometown teams in Tennessee, it’s important to ensure all bets are well-researched and placed carefully. Always try to stay objective when assessing your team’s odds of coming out on top. Brush up on key terms and bet types with our how to bet guides.
In May 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) upended the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992. The high court’s ruling allowed Tennessee to implement its legalized sports betting laws.
Review this timeline of Tennessee's sports gambling history for an overview of its milestones:
Gov. Bill Lee has been openly and adamantly opposed to the idea of casinos — or any other retail operation — opening its doors in Tennessee. Consequently, it’s doubtful we’ll see any form of retail gambling in the state any time soon.
Tennesseans may not have a racetrack or off-track betting (OTB) outlet to visit in person, but pari-mutuel bets may be placed online. Daily Fantasy Sports have also been a popular choice in Tennessee since 2016.
CasinoAlthough you won’t find a single casino in the state, Tennesseeans do have some options if they’re willing to travel outside of state lines.
Neighboring states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, and North Carolina are all home to a number of casinos. For those residing in Memphis, Tunica, Mississippi may be the best option for in-person casino gambling. Tunica is home to six large casinos — all boasting an impressive lineup of table games and slot machines.
Those looking for legal online casino alternatives in Tennessee can enjoy sweepstakes casinos like Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots. Here, you’ll find a variety of slots, blackjack, video poker, and more.
PokerUnsurprisingly, there is no live poker in Tennessee. The only online option for Tennesseeans is Global Poker, which uses the sweepstakes model to remain legally compliant in the state.
Horse racingTennessee gamblers are free to place pari-mutuel bets online at TwinSpires. There is no horse racing in the state itself, but it is legal to wager on other races around the country.
There have been some attempts to bring horse racing back to the Volunteer State, but strict gambling laws have thwarted these recent efforts.
Daily Fantasy SportsTennessee lawmakers passed a bill to legalize Daily Fantasy Sports back in 2016. It was somewhat surprising to see the historically conservative state become just the third to legalize and regulate DFS.
FanDuel and DraftKings were early to market in Tennessee and lead the way in terms of offerings and prizes. Other sites include Yahoo, Fantasy Draft, Draft Day, Monkey Knife Fight, and Daily Number.
With sports betting legalized in Tennessee, state regulators have introduced a variety of resources for individuals dealing with a gambling addiction. Helplines, educational services, counseling, and support groups are easily accessible for those looking for ways to tackle their gambling problems.
Additionally, 5% of all sportsbook revenue in Tennessee is donated to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse’s problem gambling resources.
Players can also set maximum bet and/or deposit limits for themselves when visiting a casino.
While Tennessee introduced online-only legal sports betting legislation, other states have adopted both in-person and online wagering. Currently, sports betting is legal in the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Tennessee sports bettors do have access to offshore betting sites, but it is illegal to gamble with these unlicensed providers. Although it may be tempting to seek out better lines, it’s highly recommended you avoid these sportsbooks.
Yes, it is legal to bet on sports in Tennessee if you are 21 or older.
No, you do not have to be a Tennessee resident to bet on sports in Tennessee. You do, however, need to be physically present in the state to place a wager.
Tennessee sports bettors can place wagers online by visiting a legal sports betting website or downloading a mobile app.
Yes, you may bet on both professional and collegiate teams in Tennessee. Some bets, like college player props and live betting, are not permitted, however.
Revenue from Tennessee’s online-only sports betting plan rose to $312 million (gross) in its first two months of operation.
Sports bets can only be placed in Tennessee by visiting an online sportsbook website or downloading a sports betting app. In-person sports gambling is not available in Tennessee.
As all sports bets must be placed remotely in Tennessee, bettors come from all across the Volunteer State. Memphis residents regularly jump across the border to bet in person at Mississippi casinos.
Yes, DraftKings was among the first online sportsbooks to launch in Tennessee on November 1, 2020.
Yes, FanDuel joined DraftKings as an early entrant into the world of Tennessee sports betting.
