Mobile and online sports betting is now legal in the state of Tennessee, after going live on November 1, 2020. National operators, BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings were among those that got the party started, just in time for bettors to get their Week 8 NFL bets in before kickoff.
The state introduced the first online-only model in the U.S. with legal sportsbook apps and no retail betting. Tennessee is one of the biggest U.S. markets with most of the big national brands available, looking to stake their claim in this mobile-only market.
In addition to some of the bigger platforms in the state, a local outfit, Tennessee Action 24/7 became the first mom-and-pop sports betting shop to go live anywhere in the U.S. post-PASPA.
| Betting App Apple Store + Google Play Scores | TN Sign Up Offer |
|---|---|
 BetMGM Sportsbook
| Up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets |
 FanDuel Sportsbook
| No Sweat First Bet up to $1,000 |
 SuperBook
| Get a First Bet Match up to $250 for Any Market! |
 WynnBET Sportsbook
| Bet $20, Get $100 in Bonus Bets |
 Caesars Sportsbook
| Up to $1,250 First Bet Bonus |
The state’s law took effect in early July 2019, with Gov. Bill Lee allowing it to become law without his signature.
Historically, Tennessee has not been known as “gambling friendly.” There are no retail casinos in the state, nor are there plans for that to change. Therefore, setting up a complex betting apparatus was a slow and deliberate process. After months of careful research and debate, the official launch happened on Nov. 1.
This page will serve as a way to keep players apprised of all progress within the Tennessee online sports betting market. We’ll let you know which sportsbooks are live, how to sign up, and when more options are coming.
Fanatics Sportsbook Beta Now Available in TN
The much-anticipated Fanatics Sportsbook product is now available in the state of Tennessee. It’s still technically in a beta-format, but all TN bettors are invited to test it out – and collect up to $650 in bonus bets along the way.
To get started, click on this link and complete the Fanatics Sportsbook survey. Once the survey has been completed you will receive an email with your Fanatics Sportsbook promo code and instructions on how to download the app for your mobile device. Sign up using the same email address provided on the survey to receive:
- $150 in bonus bets credited within 72 hours of sign up
- Up to 5% back in FanCash on every bet placed
Online & mobile sportsbooks in Tennessee
| Online Sportsbook | Get Bonus | Online Launch |
|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | HANDLE | November 1, 2020 |
| DraftKings | Get Bonus | November 1, 2020 |
| FanDuel | Get Bonus | November 1, 2020 |
| Tennessee Action 24/7 | November 1, 2020 |
|
| Caesars Sportsbook | HANDLECZR | March 11, 2021 |
| WynnBET | XHANDLE | April 30, 2021 |
| Barstool Sportsbook | September 8, 2021 | |
| Wagr | January 20, 2022 | |
| SuperBook Sports | April 27, 2022 | |
| Betly Sportsbook | August 16, 2022 | |
| Hard Rock Sportsbook | September 6, 2022 | |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Beta Access Available | Beta Access Available |
| Fubo Sportsbook | Coming Soon | TBD |
| Bally Bet | Coming Soon | TBD |
| ZenSports | Coming Soon | TBD |
First Sportsbooks to Land in Tennessee
BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel and Tennessee Action 24/7 all got their applications in early, giving them a head start in the Volunteer State, and began taking bets on Nov. 1, 2020. When the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation launched its operators, it did so the way that Colorado did on May 1 — with all eligible operators going live on the same date.
Sportsbooks That Joined Tennessee in 2021
Caesars Sportsbook was next to enter the market, going live on March 11, 2021, with WynnBET Sportsbook following about one month later on April 30.
The Barstool Sportsbook went live in Tennessee in 2021, finally joining the party on September 8, just one day before the 2021 NFL regular season kicked off.
Sportsbooks Joining Tennessee in 2022
Wagr, a new social-centric sports betting app, started the new year off with a bang as the brand went live in Tennessee on January 20, 2022.
Fubo Sportsbook, the mobile betting arm of television streaming provider FuboTV, had its application approved by Tennessee’s Sports Wagering Advisory Committee on February 10, 2022, setting up the brand for an eventual launch in the state.
On March 10, 2022, the SWAC approved three additional operators to offer action in Tennessee, awarding licenses to Bally Bet, SuperBook Sports, and Gamewise (Betly).
As a result, SuperBook Sports entered the fray on April 27, 2022, officially bringing one of Las Vegas’ proudest bookmakers over to the Volunteer State. Bally Bet and Fubo Sportsbook are still awaiting their respective launches, but are expected to go live at some point in 2022, or 2023 at the very latest while Betly is now available. Betly officially launched in Tennessee on August 16, 2022.
ZenSports, a peer-to-peer sports betting app in its early stages of life, has also expressed interest in joining Tennessee’s online market since its initial launch in November 2020. In March 2021, the startup announced it had amassed 2.4 million in additional funding to help pay for its Tennessee license. A few months later in September, shortly after the brand was licensed in Nevada, ZenSports CEO Mark Thomas revealed plans to restart the application process in Tennessee, hoping to get licensed by the end of 2021. As of May 2022, ZenSports has yet to get its application approved by Tennessee’s Sports Wagering Advisory Committee.
Hard Rock Sportsbook is the most recent online book to launch in Tennessee on September 6, 2022. Hard Rock Sportsbook became the 11th mobile operator in the state.
TENNESSEE AND INDIANA PLACE YOUR BETS AND GET THE PARTY STARTED
— Hard Rock Sportsbook (@HardRockSB) September 6, 2022
We will update this space accordingly as sites confirm their presence in the state. There is no limitation on how many operators can receive a license, so as long as a sportsbook is approved by regulators, they’re welcome in Tennessee.
Given this leniency, we expect to see most of the major players that currently conduct online sports betting operations in other states, along with a few niche books, to enter the mix.
Potential future operators include:
Professional Tennessee Sports Teams
Odds from BetMGM Sportsbook are subject to change.
| Sport | Club | Established | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basketball | Memphis Grizzlies | 1995 | Win NBA Championship N/A |
| Hockey | Nashville Predators | 1998 | Win Stanley Cup N/A |
| Football | Tennessee Titans | 1956 | Win Super Bowl +7500 |
| Soccer | Nashville SC | 2017 | Win MLS Cup N/A |
Upcoming games
- Nashville SC is experiencing a remarkable streak, having emerged victorious in six of their last ten games. Their outstanding performance has earned them a well-deserved second position on the table with a total of 25 points. In their latest match against Charlotte FC last Saturday, Nashville SC secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory, further solidifying their position as a formidable team. On Sunday, Nashville SC is set to face the Columbus Crew in what promises to be an exciting match.
Land-based books
Tennessee was the first state in the country to pass online-only sports betting legislation. With no brick-and-mortar casinos or horse tracks, moving forward with a mobile-centric sports betting platform makes a lot of sense for the state.
Unfortunately, this means that there won’t be any land-based retail sportsbooks. Some casino-less states, like Virginia for example, actually approved its first casinos while pursuing sports betting. Tennessee did not. For now, and in the foreseeable future, the state will boast a mobile-only sports betting industry.
The lack of retail outlets is not expected to impede growth. In other states with both land-based and online delivery channels, online betting accounts for a large majority of wagers placed. New Jersey, which has one of the most developed sports betting industries in the U.S., has been regularly accepting more than 80% of its wagers online.
The latest TN news
ZenSports To Offer Cash-Back Rewards To Tennessee Sports Bettors
The new sportsbook, which got its license this week, is looking to change the bonus game, ditching sign-up offers.
Fanatics Sportsbook Offering Bonus Bets To Fanatics Merchandise Customers
Customers who buy merchandise online may receive a sportsbook bonus bet for up to $500, but Ohio is seeking to put an end to the promotion.
As Fanatics Sportsbook Continues Rollout, A Look At Where Licenses Are Available
As the merchandising giant begins sharing access codes in Ohio, here's a look at where licenses are available for expansion.
Laws and regulations
Sports betting across the United States became a possibility when the U.S. Supreme Court, ruling on a lawsuit filed by New Jersey, overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018.
The 1992 law was originally enacted to define the legal status of betting nationwide, outlawing the practice in all but a few states — Oregon, Delaware, and Montana — that had established sports lotteries, and Nevada, which had full-fledged sports betting.
When the high court ruled in favor of the Garden State’s challenge in 2018, it gave the green light to all other states to approve and implement sports wagering.
Since then, many new states have passed fresh legislation and are up-and-running with legal sports betting – New Jersey, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Colorado, and now Tennessee are just a few on the growing list of states that have embraced sports betting post-PASPA.
Key highlights (and lowlights) of Tennessee’s sports betting laws include:
- Oversight provided by the Sports Wagering Advisory Council, as of January 1, 2022
- Max payout capped at 90% (mandatory 10% hold)
- No retail sports betting allowed
- The licensing fee is set at $750K annually, with money going toward education
- Gross gaming revenue will be taxed at 20%
- Betting allowed on professional leagues and NCAA sporting events
- The state requires agreement with leagues to use official data for in-play wagers
- Bettors cannot place props or in-game/live wagers on college sporting events
- The law allows bettors to restrict or self-exclude so they can protect themselves from a gambling addiction or problem.
The state’s online gaming industry had been regulated by the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation from its initial launch date on November 1, 2020 up until January 1, 2022. From that date forward, all sports betting oversight would be handled by the Sports Wagering Advisory Council (SWAC), a group that had been working in collaboration with the TELC since the market first went live. The two entities will continue to work together as they climb out of the transition process and allow the SWAC to fully take over all regulatory duties. Once complete, the TELC will fully shift its focus back to overseeing the Tennessee Education Lottery.
Setting the rules – minimum 10% hold
Establishing Tennessee’s sports betting rules was a process, to say the least. Effectively legal since July 2019, the rollout was labored. The state lottery released a preliminary set of rules in November 2019 and then listened to critical feedback before appointing a nine-person board to make the final changes. Included in the problematic November document was a proposed “payout cap” of 85%, or put another way, a mandatory hold of 15%.
The TELC adopted many stakeholder suggestions, and after several months the it approved and released the state’s final sports betting rules on April 15, 2020. The new rules lowered the controversial hold figure from 15% to 10%. It’s an improvement, no doubt, but is still well above industry standards and the only such requirement concerning a licensed business’s hold percentage in any U.S. jurisdiction. The rule states:
The aggregate annual payout of each Licensee shall not exceed 90%.
This means that over the course of a year, sportsbooks can pay out no more than 90% of what they take in. For context, the booming Nevada sports betting market usually returns around 94.5% to bettors. The required 10% hold will undoubtedly trickle down to Tennessee bettors in the form of inferior pricing — whether it’s in parlay or futures payouts. The advisory board is able to change this figure as early as next year.
Should operators fail to meet the 90% hold rule, they can be fined or have their licenses suspended. Through the fall at the TELC Board and Sports Wagering Advisory Council meetings, the penalty has been a key discussion point. The law allows for up to a $25,000 fine, and the Advisory Council approved that number — but what’s in question is how often the fine could be imposed. The Advisory Council discussed whether the $25,000 could be imposed annually or more often. In the case of a repeat offender, both the Advisory Council and Board agreed that suspension is another tool available, but that both prefer not to have to suspend a license, as this could potentially affect an operator’s ability to do business in another state.
In addition, the Board reviewed a dispute-resolution directive from the Advisory Council. The directive calls for players to first bring any issues to the operator. If the issue is not resolved, a player could escalate the dispute to TEL staff, TEL CEO Hargrove, the Advisory Council and finally to the full Lottery Board. The goal for any operator — and the TEL — would be for disputes to be resolved at the operator level, but the Advisory Council was required to put the process into place.
Tennessee Betting Revenue
In an exclusive online-only market, it took quite a bit of time to lay out the fine print for Tennessee lawmakers to launch sports betting finally. The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation was very careful crafting its laws in a non-gambling state, and since its launch in November 2020, they have reaped plenty of rewards.
Tennessee’s Sports Wagering Advisory Council (SWAC) reported a handle at a record $405 million in November. Besides July, Tennessee has eclipsed over $200 million in total handle each month of 2022, a steady revenue stream. In addition, through October, the Volunteer state has collected over $45 million in taxes.
Tennessee sports betting: Frequently asked questions
Is sports betting live in the state of Tennessee?
Yes, it is! Sports betting went live in the state of Tennessee on November 1, 2020 with the respective launches of BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Tennessee Action 24/7. Since then, multiple other brands have joined, including Caesars, WynnBET, and SuperBook Sports – with plenty more expected to follow.
Who can place a real-money sports bet in Tennessee?
Bettors must be 21 years of age to place a sports wager in Tennessee. That is the age limit in most states that have legalized sports betting.
Additionally, bettors need to be located in the state of Tennessee before they can place a wager. You can be geolocated via WiFi or a 4G mobile connection, but if the sportsbook can’t locate you, you can’t bet. We do predict that you’ll be able to create an account, view lines, and conduct other account management tasks without physically being located in Tennessee – though placing a bet will be reserved for those in-state.
Anyone who meets these requirements is eligible to wager, you don’t have to actually live in TN.
How many online sportsbooks will be available in Tennessee?
Considering there is no limit on how many operators can apply for sports betting licenses, we foresee a competitive market with a dozen or more active sportsbooks.
With a high annual licensing fee and a 20% tax rate, Tennessee is not the friendliest climate for sports betting operators. Yet, the inhospitable landscape in Pennsylvania hardly deterred big-name operators like PointsBet, BetRivers, and FOX Bet from entering the mix, and we suspect it won’t in Tennessee, either.
Smaller and mid-sized operations may not see a path to sustainability and could bow out of the market.
Do mobile sportsbooks offer bonuses for new players?
Absolutely! One of the primary marketing devices of online sportsbooks, especially in new markets, is to offer new players lucrative welcome packages. Check this page out frequently for exclusive promo codes.
How will I deposit and withdraw funds online?
One of the main benefits of legal sites is that they make it exceedingly simple to get money on (and off) line.
Players in Tennessee can expect most sportsbooks to offer some, if not all, of the following banking methods:
- ACH (eCheck): Load funds directly to and from your connected bank account.
- Credit/Debit card: Old reliable. Upload funds using your VISA or Mastercard, with Discover also accepted at some books. Unfortunately credit/debit cards only work one way, so players will need to use a second banking method in order to withdraw any leftover funds.
- PayPal: Connect your PayPal account in order to make instantaneous deposits and withdrawals.
- Online banking: Use your existing bank login credentials and connect with its portal.
- Pre-paid cards: The majority of sportsbooks will offer each player a branded pre-paid card that doubles as an ATM card.
- PayNearMe: Deposit cash in-person using retail stores in your area. 7Eleven, CVS, and Family Dollar all participate, among others.
The one payment method that won’t be available is cash at the casino cage, simply because there are no casinos or racetracks in Tennessee.
What bet types and betting markets will be available?
There are no major restrictions on what markets sportsbooks are allowed to support, outside a ban on in-play wagers for college sports. Expect to see lines offered for all major pro sports (NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL), college football and basketball, golf, tennis, soccer, and some niche offerings like cricket and darts.
Sites should offer old staples like point spreads, totals, money lines, futures, props (game and team), parlays, teasers, and in-play, and also some niche products like DraftKings’ Flash Bet, FanDuel’s correlated parlays, betting pools, and more.
What is the history of gambling in Tennessee?
The state government of Tennessee has consistently held a firm grip on all forms of gambling. Poker rooms and casinos are non-existent.
Horse racing flourished in the 1800s but a ban on betting killed off in 1906.
In 2003, a lottery referendum was approved to support education. The first drawing was made in 2004, and remains very popular.
In 2010, limited and licensed charity bingo and lottery events were approved.
Fantasy sports were approved by lawmakers in 2016 with the passage of the Fantasy Sports Act.
In 2019, Tennessee passed its online sports betting law.
How legal sports betting came to be in Tennessee
Tennessee’s final sports betting legislation was borne from bills introduced in 2018 in both chambers of the Tennessee legislature.
The state’s history of tepid interest in gambling overall and Gov. Bill Lee voicing his opposition to widespread gambling expansion prompted a compromise between Lee and the state’s General Assembly.
Sen. Steve Dickerson (R-Nashville) and Rep. Rick Staples (D-Knoxville) introduced SB0016 and HB0001, respectively, to allow online sports betting.
On April 24, 2019, the House passed the legislation 58-37. The Senate agreed to accept the House bill with amendments and it was approved with a 19-12 vote. Tennessee is the first state in the U.S. to approve a mobile-only sports betting model. The legislation was sent to Gov. Lee’s desk where it was returned without his signature on May 24, 2019.
His accompanying letter said “I do not believe the expansion of gambling through sports betting is in the best interest of our state, but I appreciate the General Assembly efforts to remove brick-and-mortar establishments. … We see this issue differently but let me be clear: future efforts to expand gambling or introduce casinos in Tennessee will assure my veto.”
The legislation became law on July 1, 2019.
It took nine months, but the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation approved the state’s final set of sports betting rules on April 15, 2020. Just over six months later, the first online sportsbooks were given the green light to go live on Nov. 1, 2020 when BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Tennessee Action 24/7 all began taking bets.
