A Bible Belt pioneer in the realms of mobile betting and daily fantasy sports, Tennessee has proven surprisingly progressive when it comes to allowing fans to have skin in the game.
Disclaimer: For those outside of Tennessee, you may face restrictions on the offers you see on this page.
About Sports Betting in Tennessee
There are no casinos or brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in Tennessee. In light of those facts, it would be logical to assume that the Volunteer State would take a dim view of sports betting – but that hasn't been the case.
In 2016, Tennessee became one of the first states to expressly authorize daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests. Then, in 2019, Governor Bill Lee allowed a bill legalizing sports betting to pass into law without his signature. While Gov. Lee was morally opposed to gambling, he set his personal feelings aside to acknowledge the economic benefits sports wagering would bring to the state.
With nary a retail sportsbook within its borders, Tennessee is one of the few states where sports wagering is only available online. But that hasn't stopped the Volunteer State from posting impressive handle figures, including a then-record $591 million worth of wagers in November 2024.
Sports betting is restricted to online/mobile wagering. There are no retail sportsbooks in Tennessee.
Betting on in-state colleges is allowed, but there are no prop bets on college athletes and no in-game prop betting on college sporting events.
21+ age requirement.
Tennessee's first online sports wagers were accepted on Nov. 1, 2020.
Tax rate is 1.85% of an operator's sports betting handle. Tax revenue funds public education, local governments, and problem gambling treatment.
$750,000 initial license fee. For each year after that, operators handling more than $100 annually in bets pay $750,000 per year, while those handling less than $100 million pay $350,000.
Legalization Timeline
Bipartisan bill to legalize sports betting introduced
November, 2018
State Representative Bill Staples introduces a bill to legalize mobile sports betting in Tennessee, one that would generate enough support to pass.
Governor Lee allows sports betting bill to become law
May 24, 2019
Despite the fact that he is morally opposed to gambling, Gov. Bill Lee allows Staples's bill to become law without his signature, acknowledging that legalization is in the state's best financial interest.
First online sports wagers are placed
November 1, 2020
Mobile sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel begin accepting wagers in Tennessee, ushering in the dawn of sports betting in the Volunteer State.
Sports Wagering Council begins overseeing sports betting
January 1, 2022
Taking the baton from the Tennessee Education Lottery, the state's Sports Wagering Council assumes regulatory oversight of sports betting.
Tennessee licenses country's first peer-to-peer platform
January 24, 2022
Wagr becomes the first peer-to-peer platform to be licensed in the United States when Tennessee approves its application.
Gov. Lee approves change to sports betting tax structure
May 18, 2023
Gov. Lee approves a change in Tennessee's sports betting tax structure, replacing a 20% tax on gross revenue with a 1.85% tax on sports betting handle. Tennessee is the first state in the country to adopt such a structure.
FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Tennessee?
It is legal to bet on sports in Tennessee, which is one of the few states where all such wagering is done online. There are no retail sportsbooks in Tennessee.
Who can bet on sports in Tennessee?
Anyone who is 21 years of age or older can bet on sports in Tennessee. Bettors needn't be a resident of the Volunteer State but must be physically present within its boundaries to place mobile wagers.
Who regulates sports betting in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWC) is responsible for overseeing sports betting in the Volunteer State, having taken the reins from the Tennessee Education Lottery in 2022.
What can I bet on in Tennessee?
Among the sports the SWC has approved for wagering are: Australian Rules Football, baseball, softball, basketball, billiards, bowling, bull riding, combat sports, cornhole, cricket, cycling, darts, ultimate frisbee, disc golf, esports, X Games, field hockey, football, golf, handball, ice hockey, jai alai, lacrosse, motorsports, Olympics (Summer and Winter, including trials), pickleball, rowing, rugby, sailing, skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, snooker, soccer, chase tag, SlamBall, squash, surfing, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo, and collegiate wrestling.
What can't I bet on in Tennessee?
While wagering on in-state colleges is allowed, prop bets on college athletes and in-game prop betting on college sporting events are prohibited. There is also no wagering on so-called negative outcomes like injuries or penalties. Betting on drafts, such as those held by the NFL and NBA, is permitted.
Is DFS legal in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee was one of the first states to expressly legalize daily fantasy sports in 2016.
Is it legal to bet on horse racing in Tennessee?
While Tennessee has no active racetracks or off-track betting locations, it is, in fact, legal to bet on horses online via account-wagering platforms like TwinSpires and Xpressbet.
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