Downtown Nashville, TN, USA

Tennessee Sports Betting

By Jake Patel on
Online sports betting has arrived in Tennessee! We're excited to bring you TN's best new sportsbooks and betting apps. It's time to sign up & wager!

Are you looking for the best betting site in Tennessee? With a score of 81%, we would recommend DraftKings. Here are just some of the reasons why we rate it so highly.

Best Choice for Tennessee
Draftkings
Rated 81%
Get Up To $1000 Bonus

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

George Edwards headshot
"The premier fantasy sports operator has the best mobile sportsbook app out there, offering a smooth and seamless experience no matter where you're located "
A customer's first deposit (min. $5) qualifies the user to receive up to $1,000 in bonus funds in the form of site credits that can only be used on DraftKings. Bonus amount is equal to 20% of that deposit amount, not to exceed $1,000 (the customer must deposit $5,000 to be eligible to receive the maximum possible bonus amount of $1,000). Bonus funds will be awarded to the user according to the following play-through requirement: for every $25 played on DraftKings in DFS/Sportsbook/Casino, the user will receive $1 in bonus funds released into their customer account

Why we recommend DraftKings for betting in Tennessee

  • There are top-tier sporting leagues from all over the world for you to bet on at DraftKings. From Australian Big Bash cricket to NFL plus major European basketball and soccer leagues, you have the freedom to wager on just about any fixture. This is perfect for bettors who want to make the most of the best international and domestic betting opportunities.
  • Bet while you’re on the go with DraftKings’ user-friendly mobile app. Boasting an accessible design and great performance, it’s mobile betting at its best. Use your iOS or Android device to log in and claim your $500 welcome free bet. You can even deposit and withdraw your winnings or place pre and in-play bets using this easy-to-navigate app.
  • With a presence in the USA, UK and Canada, DraftKings isn’t just another popup sportsbook. Instead, it’s made a name for itself as a trusted online sports betting provider. With a high standard of customer support, transparent terms and conditions, plus a good record of paying its members, you’ll be in safe hands by playing at DraftKings.

If DraftKings doesn’t like the site for you, FanDuel is another option that boasts an impressive selection of betting options such as moneylines, spreads and 5 team parlays. Then there’s William Hill, which is a leading online bookmaker that offers new members a $500 risk-free first bet.

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Expertly Reviewed Expertly Reviewed
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Betting Sites Score New Customer Offer Expert Review Go To Site & Sign Up Sports iOS App Android App Terms
1. Draftkings
81%
Get Up To $1000 Bonus

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

George Edwards headshot
"The premier fantasy sports operator has the best mobile sportsbook app out there, offering a smooth and seamless experience no matter where you're located "
Claim Bonus
10
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer A customer's first deposit (min. $5) qualifies the user to receive up to $1,000 in bonus funds in the form of site credits that can only be used on DraftKings. Bonus amount is equal to 20% of that deposit amount, not to exceed $1,000 (the customer must deposit $5,000 to be eligible to receive the maximum possible bonus amount of $1,000). Bonus funds will be awarded to the user according to the following play-through requirement: for every $25 played on DraftKings in DFS/Sportsbook/Casino, the user will receive $1 in bonus funds released into their customer account 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
2. Fanduel
93%
Bet $5 Get $150

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

George Edwards headshot
"Bet with Fan Duel for some of the best promos available online - you can place same game parlays, and take part in weekly competitions like NFL Gridiron Pick'em"
Claim Bonus
16
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer 21+ and present in AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA (permitted parishes only), MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY. FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV). 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
3. William Hill Casino
79%
Enjoy 100% up to $150

Reviewed & verified by our team

"Sign up to William Hill and get odds boosts across a number of different sports, from English Premier League soccer to NBA and NHL."
Claim Bonus
19
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer Get a 100% deposit match up to $150 on your first deposit. Get $10 in free cash when you signup with William Hill NJ using promo code WH150. New registrations only. Credits will be applied directly to a Participant's William Hill Account within five (5) days after the Promotion Period has expired. 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
4. Bet MGM
90%
Risk free first bet up to $1,000

Reviewed, rated & tested by our team

George Edwards headshot
"With a variety of banking options, promotional offers and an extensive selection of markets, BetMGM is one of the nation’s stand out sportsbook operators. "
Claim Bonus
14
Yes
Yes
New Customer Offer Place a bet of $5 or more as your first wager with BetMGM. Receive $150 in Bonus Bets, regardless of your wager’s outcome. Use your Bonus Bets on any sport. You must deposit $10 or more to place a wager. A Bonus Bet can only be used once, is not included in any winnings, and is subject to loss if the bet placed with such credit does not win. A Bonus Bet must be used within seven (7) days of being credited to your account. 21+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
🏆 Best Overall Score:
93%
🎁 Largest Free Bet:
$1000
🤝 Highest Deposit Match:
100%
💵 Minimum Deposit:
$5

Looking to bet on sports in Tennessee? We’ve got you covered with a line up of the best sportsbooks available to residents in the Volunteer State. Compare our expert sportsbook reviews, scores and sign up offers and bonuses to pick the best sportsbook for you. All of the sportsbooks featured on our site are legal in the state of Tennessee so you can rest assured that you’re in good hands. All that’s left for you to do is pick your sportsbook, sign up and place your bets.

When it comes to gambling, Tennessee is one of the strictest states in America, with no land-based gambling facilities in the state, the state shocked the nation in May 2019 when it legalized online-only sports wagering Tennessee was the first and is currently the only US state to offer online-only sports betting. So, what does sports betting in Tennessee look like? Let’s find out.

 

TN Sports Betting Sites

  • DraftKings Sportsbook
  • FanDuel Sportsbook
  • BetMGM
  • Tennessee Action 24/7
TN sports betting regulation

Is sports betting legal in Tennessee?

Yes, sports wagering is legal in the state of Tennessee. In May 2019, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee allowed the sports betting bill, HB 1, to become law without his signature. When HB 1 was sent to Lee for final approval, he said that he would allow the bill to become law without his signature as he does not support the expansion of gambling.

The passage of the bill legalized state-wide online and mobile sports betting only. Under the law, operators will be required to pay $50,000 to apply for a sports betting license and a further $750,000 to secure a sports betting license, these will need to be renewed on an annual basis.

Tennessee’s sports betting law is unique in the sense that it only permits online and mobile sports betting, not land-based sports betting. This marked a first for the US sports betting market.

The Volunteer State launched its online sports betting market on 1 November 2020 with the launch of DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and the local market operator Tennessee Action 24/7. Under the state’s sports betting regulations, anyone can apply to operate a sportsbook product in the state but will need to receive approval from the state regulator, other major operators who have cemented a position in the US sports betting market are expected to make an appearance in Tennessee’s betting market.

Pari-mutuel betting on horse racing and fantasy sports are also legal in Tennessee. However, because there are no race tracks in the state, residents can only use an online platform to place wagers.

Where will I be able to place bets on sporting events in Tennessee?

There are no land-based gambling venues in Tennessee which means that, unless new establishments are built in the state, residents will be limited to betting online. However, this is not a bad thing as online and mobile sports betting is much more convenient than having to physically travel to a casino sportsbook to place a bet in person. 

To bet online or via a mobile betting app all you have to do is select the sportsbook you want to bet with, visit their site or download the app, create an account and then get betting. In some other states, users may only be allowed to bet in-person at a casino or must visit a casino to open an online betting account, fortunately, this is not the case in the Volunteer State.

What sports will I be able to bet on?

The bill describes sporting events as “professional sporting or athletic event, any collegiate sporting or athletic event.” This means that residents will be able to bet on a variety of sports including football, basketball, hockey, baseball, soccer, NASCAR, boxing, and UFC. Residents can bet on major leagues such as the MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL, as well as collegiate leagues such as the NCAA football and basketball contests. 

TN sports betting revenue

Tennessee sports betting revenue

Tennessee legalized sports betting in April 2019 with a bill that would create an online-only sports betting market. The state’s sports betting market launched on 1 November 2020, becoming the first online-only betting market in the US.

The activity is taxed at a rate of 20% and there is also a requirement for operators to hold at least 10% of all wagers.

Complete state reports can be accessed via the Tennessee Education Lottery portal.

Last updated on 11th January 2022

Month Handle Revenue Tax
November 2020 $131,444,523 $13,244,908 $2,363,918
December 2020 $180,900,000 $13,900,000 $3,080,000
January 2021 $211,300,000 $20,900,000 $4,300,000
February 2021 $176,300,000 $13,000,000 $2,600,000
March 2021 $205,900,000 $18,000,000 $3,200,000
April 2021 $172,400,000 $15,500,000 $2,800,000
May 2021 $160,900,000 $15,400,000 $2,700,000
June 2021 $174,500,000 $18,300,000 $3,200,000
July 2021 $144,500,000 $15,100,000 $2,600,000
August 2021 $144,500,000 $13,200,000 $2,000,000
September 2021 $257,300,000 $25,600,000 $3,300,000
October 2021 $375,300,000 $23,300,000 $3,400,000
November 2021 $365,700,000 $36,900,000 $5,900,000
Total $2,700,944,523 $242,344,908 $41,443,918
Land-based gaming in TN

What else can I bet on in Tennessee?

Tennessee residents may only partake in two other types of real-money gambling in the state: pari-mutuel bets on horse racing events and betting on fantasy sports with sites like DraftKings and FanDuel. In 2004, the state also launched a lottery game for residents to play. Residents and visitors can also play social casino games that don’t involve real money, such as Zynga, Big Fish, Slotomania, and Double Down Casino.

All other forms of gambling in Tennessee are illegal. Section 39-17-501 of the Tennessee Code states that: “Gambling is contrary to the public policy of this state and means risking anything of value for a profit whose return is to any degree contingent on chance, or any games of chance associated with casinos, including, but not limited to, slot machines, roulette wheels and the like.” It is because almost all casino games include an element of chance that they are illegal in Tennessee- even for friends and family to play private poker games.

Tennessee gambling laws do not make a distinction between land-based and online gambling, which means this ban on gambling on “contingent on chance” applies to both. Participating in unlawful gambling in Tennessee is classed as a Class C misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $50 fine.

The state also has a statute that covers “gambling promotion” which means that hosting illegal gambling activities and promoting them to make a profit is classed as a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months jail time and a $500 fine.

Offshore

Are offshore gambling sites legal in Tennessee?

Offshore gambling sites are illegal in Tennessee. Aside from legality, we’d recommend steering clear of offshore gambling and sports betting sites because of the lack of regulation. Illegal and unregulated sites may not be sure and won’t always have measures in place to protect vulnerable players. You also have no way of finding out who is handling the money you deposit into your online account when gambling at offshore gambling sites.

You can spot offshore gambling sites by looking at the website’s domain name. If you see a domain that ends in .EU or .AG it does not hold a license to operate in Tennessee and therefore should be avoided at all costs.

Will it be safe to bet on sports in Tennessee?

Current Tennessee gambling laws are very strict and this extends to the regulatory framework for sports betting. Regulations ensure that ensure gambling in the state is safe and fair for all involved. However, it’s also up to gamblers to take responsibility for safe and fair gambling, and never gambling more than you can afford to lose is vital.  There are also other organizations that can provide support if you believe that you, or a loved one may be suffering from gambling problems, including the National Council on Problem Gambling and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services.

You can contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline via:
Phone: 1-800-522-4700
Text: 1-800-522-4700
Online chat

You can contact the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services:

Donathan Knowles, Program Specialist
Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Phone: (615) 770-0460
Email: [email protected] 

Who regulates gambling in Tennessee?

It’s the Division of Charitable Solicitations, Fantasy Sports, and Gaming that oversees gambling activity in Tennessee. However, sports betting is overseen by the Tennessee Education Lottery.

How old do I have to be to gamble in Tennessee?

Tennessee residents must be at least 21 years old to bet on sporting events.

TN sports betting history

The journey to legal and regulated sports betting in Tennessee

1906 – The state of Tennessee prohibited wagering on horse racing which led to the collapse of the previously successful racing industry. 

1992 – Congress passed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) prohibiting sports betting across US states. Four states were made exempt from the law: Nevada, Delaware, Oregon, and Montana. These states had legal sports betting regulations in place.

2003 – A voter referendum was held in which citizens voted for the state to run a lottery. The lottery is called the Education Lottery and any profit generated through the lottery is allocated to educational projects in Tennessee.

2004 – The state’s first lottery draw took place.

2005 – The Attorney General shared their view on poker tournaments in regard to the state’s broad legislation. The Attorney General said that poker tournaments fall under the state’s current gambling laws, even if nobody is making money from hosting the games.

2010 – Charity bingo and lottery events were permitted as a way of generating money for good causes. These are limited, licensed and strictly intended to generate money for good causes.

2016 – The state passed the Fantasy Sports Act which permits fantasy sports operators to purchase a license to operate in Tennessee.

2017 – A bill was introduced by State Representative Larry Miller which would legalize casino gambling, but the bill didn’t make it past the committee.

2018 – On 14 May, the Court reached a decision. In a 7 – 2 vote it was agreed that one of the clauses in PASPA violated the Tenth Amendment, as it commandeered power from states to regulate their own gambling industries. This paved the way for all US states to decide whether or not to legalize sports betting. In the weeks after the repeal of PASPA a number of US sportsbooks launched across the country.

In November 2018, Representative Rick Staples authored a new sports betting bill titled the “Tennessee Sports Gaming Act.” This act would enable voters to vote in a local election to permit sports betting. This was then discussed by the state legislature in the 2019 legislative session.

2019 – In May, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee returned the sports betting bill, HB 1, without his signature allowing the bill to become law. With this, sports betting was legalized in Tennessee.

2020 – In May, the Tennessee Lottery began accepting license applications from operators hoping to offer sports betting.

On 1 November, sports wagering went live in Tennessee with the launch of four sportsbook operators. The first set of sportsbooks to go live in the state included DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and the local market operator Tennessee Action 24/7.

For more regulatory updates on sports betting in Tennessee, Compare.bet has got you covered.

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The people behind this page

Compare.bet's online gambling content experts helped write, edit and check the content on this page:

Jake is a gambling content specialist for Compare.bet, with a focus on the regulated US market. He is responsible for producing news content for Compare.bet News, state guides for Compare.bet US and has interviewed several senior executives within the gambling industry. Jake previously wrote for Gambling Insider and LGBT+ news site PinkNews.