Tennessee Gambling Key Takeaways
| ⚠️ Latest News Update | As of December 2023, online gambling is still partly illegal in the state of Tennessee. |
| 🎲 Online Casino Games | As of December 2023, no real money casinos are allowed. |
| ♠️♥️ Online Poker Sites | No, you cannot enjoy Tennessee online poker without any risk of legal persecution. |
| 🎰 In-person Casinos | Neither land-based casinos nor online casinos are permitted in Tennessee. |
| ⚽ Online Betting | WynnBET, BetMGM, DraftKings. |
| 🐎 Online Horse Racing | There are pari-mutuel pools at on- and off-track facilities in Tennessee where you can legally bet on US horse races. At the moment, TwinSpires is the only active site in TN. |
| 🔢 Online Lottery | Despite a variety of regular lotto options, such as Powerball and Mega Millions, Tennessee doesn’t have any legal online lotteries. |
| 🏆 Sweepstakes Casino & Poker | You can redeem cash prizes in Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker. |
| 🔞 Tennessee Legal Gambling Age | 18 and over |
| ⚖️ Tennessee Gambling Regulator | Tennessee Sports Wagering Advisory Council |
| ⚖️ Is online sports betting legal in Tennessee? | Yes, Tennessee sports betting is legal. Online sports betting launched on January 2022. Find more on our Tennessee sports betting page. |
| ⚖️ Is online casinos legal in Tennessee? | No, online casinos are still not legal. Find more on our Tennessee online casinos page. |
| 💸 Are there any eligibility requirements for mobile betting? | To place wagers from your phone, you must be 18 or over and physically present in Tennessee (verified via your mobile device’s geolocation technology or downloaded desktop plugin). |
| 📒 Are there any online sportsbooks available in Tennessee? | WynnBET, BetMGM, DraftKings. |
| 🏈 Can you bet on sports in Tennessee? | In comparison to other legal U.S. markets, no sports are off-limits. College player props are the only bet type that’s not allowed. The Memphis Grizzlies are among our favorite teams. |
Who is this online gambling in Tennessee article aimed at?
This page of our site is for you if you live in Tennessee, go on holiday in the state or spend time there for any other reason. You don’t even have to be an experienced bettor, as our info is aimed at newbie gamblers as well as those who have a good understanding of what’s involved.
The laws surrounding gambling in Tennessee are fairly complex, so we aim to demystify the subject, giving you all the information you need to decide where to sign up and wager online in the Volunteer State. We’ve got everything you could possibly need to get started, including operator reviews and comparisons, details of promotional offers, and some useful hints and tips for making the most of every betting opportunity too.
The legal history of online gambling in Tennessee
Regarding online gambling, Tennessee is a little more restrictive than many other states, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. But the state certainly has a long history of taking an anti-gambling stance, even from its earliest days.
Throughout the 19th Century, Tennessee bettors were permitted to wager on horse racing events, which was a popular activity after the Civil War. That soon ended in 1906, when new laws were introduced to end the pastime. Although surrounding states started to allow pari-mutuel betting during the economically challenging years of the Great Depression, Tennessee maintained its anti-gambling stance, much to the dismay of enthusiastic bettors.
During the 1970s, there was a move to introduce state lotteries across the US, but once again, Tennessee bucked the trend by refusing to permit the activity. Residents of the state had to wait patiently until 2003 for the Tennessee Lottery to launch, and charity bingo games weren’t permitted until 2011.
The Sports Gaming Act of 2019
The Governor of Tennessee, Bill Lee, was responsible for one of the biggest changes to Tennessee gambling laws when he made the decision not to vote on the Sports Gaming Act in 2019. Although he was firmly in the anti-gambling camp, he opted to abstain from voting and abide by the majority decision.
And it wasn’t just Bill Lee who opposed the idea of opening the state to legal gambling opportunities. There was a general concern that allowing sports betting to go ahead would be the thin end of the wedge, encouraging other forms of gambling to be legalized too, but the prospect of increased tax revenues helped to sway the vote.
Much to the delight of sports betting fans in Tennessee, the Sports Gaming Act was passed by a majority vote, permitting sports betting to take place in the state for the first time in over a century. The Act had certain limitations, however since it did nothing to permit retail sportsbooks to operate within the state. Bill Lee was firmly against the idea of bricks and mortar betting establishments, so all sportsbooks are required to be online-only operations – an unusual situation that is exclusive to Tennessee.
The future of Tennessee online gambling
Most states employ regulators to oversee their online gambling operations, but Bill Lee chose to put the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation in charge of online sportsbooks. Not surprisingly, bettors in the state are now hoping to see a corresponding relaxation of the casino laws, but legislation could still take some time yet.
Right now, there are no land-based casinos within the state of Tennessee, not even tribal ones, so the state certainly has a lot of ground to make up. There’s no telling just how long it might take before online casinos are legally permitted to operate within state lines. Rest assured, we’ll update you as soon as we have any further information on the subject.
Editor’s recommendation – the best online gambling operator in Tennessee
As we’ve seen, you can’t yet sign up and play at an online casino in Tennessee, but you certainly have some choices when it comes to online sports betting in the state. And although it’s a matter of personal taste as to which are the top Tennessee sportsbooks, our reviewers consistently rate BetMGM extremely highly.
BetMGM is part of the MGM group, so all bettors can benefit from collecting rewards points with every wager. These can be exchanged for bonus bets, bonuses, and even holiday services at MGM Resorts, so they’re definitely worth having! But even if you’re not a fan of promotional offers, you’ll find plenty to enjoy across this innovative sportsbook platform.
Most popular sports are covered by BetMGM in Tennessee, including football, basketball, baseball, MMA, tennis, golf, and soccer, giving wagering opportunities to a wide variety of sports fans. The site has one of the most comprehensive help sections we’ve come across, so it’s easy to find the answers to any questions you might have. And if you still can’t find the solution to your problem, a friendly and helpful customer support team is ready and waiting to offer assistance.
up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
Watch our reveal of the best online casino in Tennessee
Best Online Casinos in Tennessee 🇺🇸
Five tips for a secure and fair experience at Tennessee online gambling sites
Although only online sports betting is currently permitted in the state of Tennessee, we think it’s inevitable that online casinos will also become available at some point in the future. So some of our tips might not be relevant yet, but if you take them on board now you’ll be ahead of the crowd once your online betting options have increased.
Make sure the operator has a valid license
Every reputable online operator is issued with a license from one of the industry regulators, so it’s important to check that this is in place. And keep in mind that not all regulators have the same high standards, so make sure your preferred operator hasn’t simply bought their license without having to fulfill any criteria beforehand.
Check out the data encryption and site security features
You’ll have to input some personal details when you sign up to an online operator, including your name, address, and Social Security number. And you’ll be giving out your banking details too, so you need to be sure this information will be stored safely and securely. Look out for the HTTPS prefix and SSL encryption for peace of mind.
See what other site members have to say
Reading customer reviews of the sites you’re thinking of signing up to can shed some extra light on the subject. People are quick to write about any negative experiences they have. Still, rather less speedy to relate happier stories, so don’t be concerned if you can’t find anything much written about your favored site – no news is usually good news!
Read our operator reviews
Here at Gambling Guy, we live and breathe all things gambling, and we go to great lengths to explore every operator’s site featured on these pages. We’ll tell you everything you need to know, including deposit and withdrawal methods and the speed of processing payments too, so you’ll have a clear idea of what to expect.
Don’t ever be tempted to bet more than you can afford to lose
It’s easy to get caught up in the moment when gambling online, which is why we recommend always setting budgetary limits before you make a single wager. Start your session knowing how much money is available, and stop once you reach that limit. Chasing wins and losses never end well, so don’t be tempted to keep betting in the hope of making winnings. Quitting when you reach your limit ensures there’s always something left for another day.
What do we look for when evaluating Tennessee online gambling operators?
It may be some time before we can direct you toward the best online casino in Tennessee. Still, our reviewers have already been exploring all your online sportsbook options to pick out the top operators. And rest assured. We dig deep to uncover all the facts you need to know. After all, we’re laying our reputation on the line, and we’re absolutely committed to bringing you the best online gambling opportunities from all the leading sportsbook sites.
We have a lengthy checklist of items we’re looking for as we conduct our operator reviews, and we go through each point carefully to make sure we haven’t missed anything. That means you can trust our judgment completely, as we’ll highlight any areas of concern and offer praise where it’s due!
These are just some of the points we cover when examining an online gambling operator, whether it’s a sportsbook site or an online casino. So once Tennessee opens up its doors to online casino games, you’ll be able to take full advantage of the information we provide. For now, it’s only sportsbooks, but that’s not a situation that’s likely to remain static for long.
Licenses
We completely understand the regulatory bodies with strict criteria for their license holders and those who are prepared to issue a license to any operator who can pay the stated fee. And needless to say, it’s only the strictest ones that we’re interested in. We also check that licenses are valid and up to date for added peace of mind.
Site security
Not surprisingly, hackers and scammers would love nothing more than to get their hands on your money or your personal details, so data encryption and security are a major issue for us. We’re looking out for state-of-the-art security protocols that keep your data safe and secure at all times.
Usability and navigation
Not all gamblers are internet-savvy, so we keep an eye out for site navigation to make sure it’s convenient and intuitive. We expect to see a well-put-together site that you’ll be able to find your way around without getting frustrated – or lost!
Deposit and withdrawal options
Once you’ve found your perfect online operator, you’ll want to get straight down to wagering as quickly as possible, and that requires a convenient range of deposit options. But you’ll also want to access your funds quickly, so we check up on waiting times for withdrawals to be actioned.
Customer support services
No matter how carefully you plan your wagering or how comprehensive a site’s FAQ section is, it’s inevitable that you’re going to want some extra help and support now and again. Our reviewers are looking out for a friendly and helpful customer services team, preferably with round-the-clock access. We also like to see a range of contact options, including live chat, email, and telephone details.
Bonuses and rewards
Most gambling operators offer introductory welcome packages to new members, usually in the form of site credits, risk-free bets, bonus bets, or a deposit-match bonus. In addition to telling you what’s on offer and how to claim it, we also give you details of VIP programs and ongoing rewards.
Operators who came out on top of our reviews
1.
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Players from Virginia accepted
2.
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
Players from Virginia accepted
3.
25 SCs extra free on first purchases + 2 SCs FREE to claim
Players from Virginia accepted
4.
$5 No Deposit + 250 GameCoins + 600 Diamonds
Players from Virginia accepted
5.
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins + $8 FREE Coins
Players from Virginia accepted
Finding the right operator for you
You may already have a number of online sportsbooks available to you as a Tennessee bettor, but that doesn’t mean they’ll all be suitable for your needs. And right now, you can’t yet sign up for an online casino, but when the day comes, you’ll need to pick one that will give you plenty of fun and entertainment along with your wagering.
We want you to make the right choices, so we’re always on hand to guide you toward the most appropriate operators. So we’ve put together a few tips to help you with your selection process.
Think about the games and fixtures you love to bet on
Whether you can’t get enough NFL games to bet on or you’re looking for the best collection of online slots to play, checking out what’s on offer from an operator is an important part of the decision-making process.
What time do you like to place your bets?
Daytime bettors can take their pick of the available options, but if you’re a night-time bettor, you need to make sure that customer support will be available when you’re likely to need them the most.
Do you bet from home or prefer betting on the go?
Home birds will likely want to access their gambling websites from a desktop computer or laptop. If you prefer to bet when you’re out and about, make sure you choose from one of our recommended U.S. gambling apps, so you can access your operator whenever you want to, no matter where you happen to be.
Check out the wagering options
Some operators are aimed firmly at high roller bettors, who thrive on risk and have bankrolls elastic enough to cope. Other sites are directed at the more casual bettor, so make sure you choose a site that aligns with your attitude toward risk and offers betting options to match.
There’s more to an operator than the welcome bonus package
Don’t be tempted to sign up with an operator just because there’s a great introductory offer on the table. So long as the site offers the sporting fixtures or games you love, at odds, you enjoy wagering on. Then the bonus can help stretch your bankroll. But introductory bonuses on their own aren’t a good reason to choose one operator over another.
Best Tennessee Sportsbook Bonuses 2023
Conclusion: get ready to start wagering in the Volunteer State!
Now that you’ve discovered what’s legal in Tennessee regarding online gambling and what isn’t, you’re ready to start wagering! Browse our selection of sportsbook sites, compare operators, and study the bonus promotions to find your perfect partner.
We’ll update our information as soon as we have any news about legalizing online casinos in Tennessee. We suggest bookmarking this page and dropping by regularly to find out what’s new. You can rest assured that we’ll bring you details of all the best U.S. online casinos as soon as they’re allowed to start operating in the state.
Get started with these online bonuses
1.
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 3x Deposit
2.
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: 9.99
3.
25 SCs extra free on first purchases + 2 SCs FREE to claim
Players from Virginia accepted
4.
$5 No Deposit + 250 GameCoins + 600 Diamonds
Players from Virginia accepted
5.
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins + $8 FREE Coins
Players from Virginia accepted
Tennessee online gambling sites FAQ
🎱 Can I gamble online in Tennessee?
Tennessee online gambling laws are fairly complex, but we’ve got all the info you need to know if you enjoy wagering within the Volunteer State. We’ll tell you what’s allowed and what isn’t, and we’ll even direct you toward the top operators, so you can enjoy a fair betting experience. And don’t forget to study our wagering guides to give yourself an extra advantage!
🎲 Are online casinos legal in Tennessee?
When it comes to online gambling Tennessee has some stringent laws, but we’re on hand to help you make sense of them. Find out what gambling Tennessee permits and how to access the best operators within the state. We’ve got a ton of helpful advice and useful information, so don’t think about gambling in Tennessee until you’ve read this!
🏈 Are online sportsbooks legal in Tennessee?
If you love betting on sports online, you need to read our in-depth article on gambling Tennessee-style. We’ve got details of the top operators, offering the best sportsbooks odds, as well as some tempting bonuses to get you off to a great start. Check out what’s on offer and read our strategy guides to give yourself the best chance of landing a great result. Don’t start betting without us!
