Amelia Walker, a J.D. holder and senior content writer at Betting.us, is a legal expert in responsible gambling. Initially skeptical, she now has over six years in professional gambling. She’s studied gambling law and currently educates gamblers on our site in legal and safe play.
Sports Betting Locations in Tennessee
By Amelia Walker
Senior Content Writer at Betting.us
Updated: December 14, 2023
Tennessee is currently an online only sports betting state, after this was legalized in 2019. This means there are no in person retail sports betting opportunities for residents. Continue reading this guide to find out more about the laws and any developments.
Map of Retail Sports Betting in Tennessee
There are no casinos or betting houses in the state and so far, there seems to be no plans to change this. The state does not have any brick-and-mortar retail sportsbooks, as you can see from the map below.
Our Recommended Tennessee Betting Locations
Tennessee only permits online sports betting, which means that residents and visitors can place bets on sports events through mobile apps or websites. The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation (TEL) oversees sports betting in the state. They are responsible for licensing and regulating sports betting operators, so it's important to only play at licensed places.| Name | Type | Website | Full Address | Review |
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Types of Retail Sports Betting Locations
When it comes to Tennessee sports betting locations, there's not much the state can offer to fans of in-person wagering. Pari-mutuel wagering is legal within the state, however, there aren't any race tracks that allow visitors to place bets on the races.
Casino Resorts
As expected, there are also no casino resorts in Tennessee. The state has a very restrictive approach to in-person gambling, so it's unlikely this will change in the next few years. However, Tennessee residents in search of casino resorts can always visit some of the ones located in neighboring states.
For example, if you head to Kentucky, there's the Oak Grove Racing Casino Hotel, which features more than 1,200 slot machines and loads of table games. There are also casinos in Virginia, with a total of 14 gambling houses located in the state.
Racetracks
Bad news for horse racing fans, as Tennessee does not have a significant horse racing industry, and there are no active horse racing tracks in the state. This means that if you wish to gamble on horses or dog races, you will need to head online.
Off-Track Betting
Off-track betting (OTB) is a type of betting on horse racing that allows individuals to place bets on horse races at locations other than the racetrack where the event is taking place. It provides an alternative to attending the live horse racing event.
Cruise Ships and Riverboats
As a landlocked state it's probably unsurprising that gambling cruise ships and riverboats are also out of reach for Tennessean residents. Gambling cruise ships and riverboats are legal in some states such as Iowa, Louisiana and Mississippi.
List of Legal Land-Based Sportsbooks in Tennessee
As we've already stated, residents can only bet online through licensed operators on their laptops or mobile phones. Online sports betting was legalized recently in 2019 and it could be that wagering at offline locations may become permitted in the future, but it doesn't look too likely.
Search for Sportsbooks in Tennessee
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History of Sports Betting in Tennessee
Tennessee has an interesting history when it comes to sports betting. They adopted an online-only sports betting bill in 2019. Tennesseans can also buy lottery tickets and bet on daily fantasy sports online. Betting at casinos and retail sportsbooks, however, is strictly prohibited.
Take a look at the timeline of events below. Those who want to participate in online sports betting in Tennessee can do so with a number of platforms. We've included all the important dates in relation to sports betting and gambling in the state.
| Year | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | The Tennessee Lottery Introduced | In 2004, the state was given the permission to sell lottery tickets. Currently, the Tennessee Lottery is run and operated by the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation. Players must be at least 18 years old to play. Additionally, tickets can only be bought with cash. |
| 2016 | Legalization of Daily Fantasy Sports | Betting on daily fantasy sports was legalized in 2016. Perhaps surprisingly betting on daily fantasy sports is not heavily regulated. For example, DFS operators are not obliged to receive a license in order to provide their services. |
| 2019 | Online Only Sports Wagering Bill Passed | |
| 2020 | First Online Sportsbook Launched | Sports betting operators started accepting bets from residents and visitors, offering a range of betting options on professional and collegiate sports. Today, there are several highly reliable sportsbooks any resident of the state who is at least 21 years of age can join. |
About Tennessee
Tennessee is a southeastern state known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and historical significance. Often called the "Volunteer State" but it's perhaps even more famous as the Music Capital of the World.
Tennessee has had a historically conservative stance on gambling. For much of its history, the state had strict laws against gambling, including a general prohibition on most forms of wagering. Tennessee legalized online and mobile sports betting in 2019, becoming one of the early states to do so after the Supreme Court's ruling on PASPA. In November 2020: Tennessee imposed a 10% tax rate on sports betting revenue, one of the highest in the country.
| Capital | Nashville |
|---|---|
| Largest City | Nashville |
| Population | 6.829 million |
| Area | 109,247 km² |
| Time zone | GMT-5 |
| State Nickname(s) | The Volunteer State |
| Motto | Agriculture and Commerce |
Helping Hand for Gamblers in Tennessee
Being aware of how to gamble responsibly is critical. Below, you'll find a phone number available for individuals facing issues with compulsive gambling addiction. Additionally, you can utilize the live chat feature accessible on the National Council on Problem Gambling's official website.
Help for Compulsive Gambling in Tennessee
- Hotlines National Council on Problem Gambling ncpgambling.org/chat 800-522-4700
- Help centres Promises Behavioral Health 103 Powell Ct STE 100, Brentwood, TN 37027, United States +1 888-503-1125
Sports Betting Lawyers in Tennessee
- Boyle Brasher +1-901-521-2860boylebrasher.com
FAQ
Is there a list of every retail sportsbook in Tennessee?
Tennessee is an online only sports betting state, so sadly there are no retail betting locations in the state. If this changes we will keep this page updated with news.
What type of sports betting locations are there in Tennessee?
There are only online betting locations in the state of Tennessee. Unfortunately bettors won't find any retail sportsbooks, casinos or racetracks, but they can travel to states where these are legal and wager there.
How much revenue does betting generate in Tennessee?
In April, 2021 Tennessee reported $172 million in sports wagers for the month. According to latest reports, the relatively new online-betting program in Tennessee received approximately $131 million in gross wagers for a single month.
What is the history of sports betting in the state of Tennessee?
Tennessee has historically taken a conservative approach to gambling, with most forms being prohibited. This is until recently when online sports betting was legalized. You can read more about the timeline of events in our history overview.