Online Sports Betting in Tennessee

After being legalized in 2019, sports betting in Tennessee went live in 2020 with the launch of its first four sportsbooks.

Since then, five additional sportsbooks have been made available, and two more are expected to launch in 2022. While retail sports betting is not available in the state, Tennessee residents and visitors who are 21 or older can use any of the 9 available online sportsbooks to place wagers on most major sporting events.

Here’s everything you need to know about online sports betting in Tennessee.

Details About Sports Betting in Tennessee

• The only way to bet on sports in Tennessee is to use one of the state’s legal mobile or online sportsbooks. Retail sports betting is not yet available in the state.
• There are currently 9 legal sportsbooks available in Tennessee. Unlike other states, Tennessee does not restrict the number of platforms that can be used, meaning the list of available sportsbooks is likely to grow in the future.
• Tennessee is the only legal sports betting state to have a minimum hold provision for sportsbooks. Sportsbooks in the state are required to hold 10% of all bets taken.
• Unlike other states with legal sports betting, Tennessee allows individuals to bet on in-state college sports, including major schools like University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt. However, the state does not allow live prop bets during college games or prop bets on individual college athletes.

Recent Sports Betting News in Tennessee

Tennessee legalized sports betting in 2019, and sportsbooks began launching in the state in 2020. Since then, the state’s sports betting industry has grown quickly. Here are some of the most recent notable developments in Tennessee’s sports betting industry:

• April 27, 2022: SuperBook officially begins accepting bets in Tennessee, making it the 9th legal sportsbook available in the state.
• April 19, 2022: Tennessee’s mobile sports betting market surpasses $4 billion in lifetime handle, according to the March report. Sportsbooks took a total of $370.2 million in bets for the month, leading to about $4.6 million in taxes paid.
• April 8, 2022: The Tennessee Sports Wagering Advisory Council suspends betting on events that involve Russian and Belarusian leagues, teams, and players.
• April 6, 2022: Tennessee updates its guidelines for betting on the 2022 NFL Draft. Per these guidelines, live betting is only allowed for the first three rounds, and bettors can place bets for specific rounds before the rounds start.
• March 18, 2022: Tennessee sportsbooks report taking in $313.3 million in bets during February, marking a 77.7% increase from February 2021.
• March 10, 2022: Tennessee approves three new sportsbook applications at its March meeting, including Bally Bet, Betly, and SuperBook. SuperBook plans to launch in April, while the other two may still take several months to begin accepting wagers.
• Nov. 1, 2020: Tennessee’s first online sportsbooks launch, including BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Tennessee Action 24/7. This comes shortly after sports betting was legalized in 2019.

Online Sports Betting Apps Available in Tennessee

Currently, there are 10 legal sportsbooks available in Tennessee. Two others, Betly and Bally Bet, are expected to launch later in 2022, bringing the total number of sportsbooks in the state to 12. Since Tennessee doesn’t limit the number of available sportsbooks, this list is likely to grow.

Are Daily Fantasy Sports Apps Legal in Tennessee?

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) apps are a popular alternative to traditional sports betting apps for individuals who prefer more skill-based games. DFS apps let users build fictional teams to compete against other users for cash prizes. Though DFS contests are often considered games of skill, some states consider them to be gambling, and as such, they are prohibited in many states.

Daily fantasy sports apps are legal in Tennessee and have been since Gov. Bill Haslam signed the Fantasy Sports Act in 2016. There are several major DFS apps available in the state, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and others. Users can get started by registering with the app of their choice, depositing funds, and entering contests.

How to Place Responsible Sports Bets in Tennessee

Any person 21 or older and currently located in Tennessee can bet on sports online. To get started, simply register with one of the state’s legal sports betting apps, deposit funds, and place your first wager. Individuals can bet on most major sporting events, including in-state college sporting events, with the exception of live prop bets during college games or on individual college athletes.

When betting on sports online, it’s important to follow responsible gambling practices to avoid developing a problematic gambling habit and suffering financial, personal, and professional consequences.

Responsible gambling practices include:

• Betting only what you can comfortably afford to lose
• Setting a strict gambling budget to avoid chasing losses and suffering significant financial damages
• Taking breaks from gambling if you notice you are gambling too frequently or spending too much money
• Recognizing when gambling is impacting your personal or professional life
• Setting time limits to avoid spending too much time on gambling apps
• Not gambling while under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Gambling addiction is a serious issue that can have a significant impact on your finances, career, relationships, and mental well-being. If you think you may be addicted to gambling, contact the National Council on Problem Gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 to find local resources.

Tennessee Sports Betting FAQs

Editor’s Note: Information accurate as of May 2022.