In terms of sports betting in Tennessee, it’s online sports betting all the way. To date, nine online sports betting apps are all fighting it out for the top spot since Tennessee sports betting launched in November 2020
However, the only way you can bet on sports in Tennessee is by using a mobile app. Retail sports betting is currently not available.
However, there are certainly plenty of options available in Tennessee sports betting apps – with more to come pending approval from Tennessee’s Sports Wagering Advisory Council. Let’s look at the Tennessee sports betting market and available sites since being passed by the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act.
Best Tennessee Sports Betting Sites
Here are the top-performing Tennessee sports betting sites in 2022:
1. DraftKings Sportsbook
Pretty much at the top of most lists of top sports betting apps is DraftKings – which is all about the entire user experience. This offers a very smooth and seamless platform. Some of its biggest highlights include its excellent live betting section, clear props menus and alternate lines. It is one of the best out there for features.
Although a few more promos would be nice – its live betting and a generous $1,050 welcome bonus make up for it.
2. BetMGM Sportsbook
Another one that is noteworthy is the BetMGM sportsbook. It has a great variety of sports and betting markets – with some that you can’t find anywhere else – its menu of bet types is better than all the rest.
Although the platform could be a little more smooth, its excellent easy parlay builder and $1000 welcome bonus make it worth a look
3. FanDuel Sportsbook
This is another sports betting app that is always in the top three – and for obvious reasons. It is super easy to use and offers plenty of great features. Its same game parlays are some of the best, whilst it has a crisp and clean layout with solid apps.
The site is simple to use with plenty of features, it offers the best same game parlays and has a welcome bonus of up to $1,000.
Tennessee Sports Betting Now
Let’s look at exactly where Tennessee sports betting is in 2022:
March 2022
- 18th March 2022: Tennessee sports betting sites announced that they took around $313,3 million in sports bets during February. Although this is down 18.8% in January, it is up 77.7% in February 2021.
- 10th March 2022: Three new sports betting applications were approved by the SWAC – Betly, Bally Bet and SuperBook. SuperBook was set to launch first, in April, with the others following.
- 4th March 2022: Tennessee sports betting sites expected to see a lot of action on the men’s basketball team, the Tennessee Volunteers at the start of the SEC tournament. However, given that no props bets on individual players are permitted and there is no live sports betting on Tennessee college sports, it will be limited in comparison with other states.
February 2022
- 25th February 2022: Tennessee announced a combined total of $386.1 million from all of their sports betting sites combined – a new record. This meant around $5.8 million in taxes from the $29.1 million adjusted gross income. This means a hold of 7.6% in comparison to the 10% an operator must hold on a yearly average.
- 10th February 2022:
- Fubo was approved as the state’s 10th sports betting operator. However, they did not provide an expected launch date when asked.
Jan 2022
- 24th January 2022: Tennessee sports betting sites reported $341.8 million in bets from December 2021 – down on the previous two months. Given December’s results – this meant that people in the state had bet $2.7 million in 2021, with $198.5 in taxable revenue. This means a hold of 7.3% – a way away from the required 10% that the state needs.
- 7th January 2022: The Sports Wagering Advisory Council took over as the regulator for Tennessee sports betting. This change followed after the 2021 law took it away from the Tennessee Education Lottery Commission.
Comparing The best Tennessee Sportsbooks
The best sportsbook for you very much depends on your personal preference and what you are looking for. You will want to focus on the one that offers the key features that you are looking for. Here are some who excel in specific areas – so you can choose who will be your official sports betting partner.
Best Sportsbook for Overall Experience- BetMGM
In our opinion, BetMGM is one of the best overall in terms of features and betting options. It offers all of the top sports teams and leagues and also the smaller and more niche events such as darts, snooker, rugby and more.
Best For Betting on the Tennessee Titans and Volunteers – FanDuel and DraftKings
We find that these two Tennessee sports betting sites are excellent in terms of sports betting markets for the Tennessee Titans and University of Tennessee Volunteers. They also offer the most seamless and smooth experience compared to any other Tennessee online sportsbook.
Best for Competitive Odds – Caesars
Depending on the betting volume and other factors, there will always be variations in sports betting odds. However, you will want to register with a Tennessee sports betting site that consistently offers value betting odds. We found that Caesars sportsbook generally delivers for generous odds.
Best for Promos, Bonuses and Rewards – Caesars
Another area in which Caesars sportsbook excels is with promotions – and its rewards program. The offers shouldn’t stop when sign up is done. You want a Tennessee sports betting site that rewards you for your loyalty and Caesars sportsbook does just this.
Top New Tennessee Online Sports Betting Apps
Sports betting apps keep on popping up in Tennessee, with Wagr Sportsbook being yetx` another one to join the party. Here are some of the best new Tennessee online sports wagering apps
- Bally Bet
- BetRivers
- Gamewise
- Fubo Gaming (not officially launched yet)
- PointsBet
- SuperBook
- Zen Sports
Registering With a Tennessee Online Sportsbook
The good news is that signing up and betting at a legal Tennessee sports betting site is very quick and easy. You simply need to head over to your preferred sportsbook, click on register and follow the instructions. You will then be able to make a qualifying deposit and claim one of these generous sign-up offers:
- DraftKings: $50 free bet + 20% match bonus up to $1,000
- Caesars: Risk-free f1rst bet up to $1,100
- BetMGM: Risk-free first bet up to $1,000
- FanDuel: Risk-Free first bet up to $1,000
The good news is that you can sign up with as many sports betting sites as you want and take advantage of whatever sign-up bonuses you choose. However, before claiming the goodies, make sure you check the terms and conditions and understand exactly what they mean. Here are some of the phrases to look out for:
Match Deposit Bonus
A match deposit bonus is when a sports betting site matches your deposit up to a certain amount. This will be given to you as bonus funds – and won’t be eligible for withdrawal as there will be wagering requirements attached.
Free Bets
You might come across a free bet on sign yo – after making your first deposit. The free bet isn’t withdrawable but anything you win from that free bet is yours to do as you please.
Odds Boosts
Some sports betting sites will vastly improve the odds for a specific outcome on a specific event. This means you will get a much better payout in the event that the bet comes in. There will likely be a maximum bet attached to this offer.
10 Facts About Tennessee sports betting
- Tennessee officially legalized sports in 2019 but it was quite a long procedure to finalize the industry regulations,
- Unlike many other states, Tennessee is an online sports betting state only – there aren’t any casinos or retail sports betting options – and no plans for any.
- The state’s first online sportsbook officially launched in November 2020
- Tennessee online sports betting sites earned more than $131 million in betting handle on the first month of launching.
- The state’s monthly handle record currently stands at $375 million which was recorded in October 2021.
- Tennessee is the only state that has a minimum hold provision for sportsbook – set at 10%
- In line with the rest of the US, you need to be aged 21 or over to bet on sports in Tennessee.
- Tennessee has legalized sports betting on professional and college sports and events.
- However, it is prohibited in Tennessee to place props bets on individual college athletes or teams.
- Anyone in Tennessee that has a close affiliation with a team or league is not allowed to bet on their own sport.
What To Look For At Legal Tennessee Sportsbooks
Currently, although sports betting has been legalized, there aren’t currently any physical retail sportsbooks.
In addition, at the start of 2022, The Sports Wagering Advisory Council took over the industry regulation duties from the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation. Licensing and regulation of the Tennessee sports betting market is handled by the council and there are certainly more expected to launch.
As such, you should only ever bet on sports in Tennessee at a licensed and regulated Tennessee sports betting site. As such, as a Tennessee bettor, you know you will be placing your bets in a safe and completely legal way.
The Tennessee Sports Betting Law
It was in May 2018 when the US Supreme Court overturned PASPA, allowing individual states to choose whether or not they would permit sports betting. Although Tennessee wasn’t the quickest to pursue legalization, they made a move to legalize sports betting in 2019 – and its sports betting bill successfully made its way through the state’s Legislature.
It was in June 2019 that it officially became legal. However, it was quite some time before the first sportsbook in the state launched. It was the following year when the rules and regulations were put into place and sportsbooks started finally opening their doors in November of 2020.
Here are the main points of the Tennessee sports betting law…
- Operators need to pay a license fee of $750,000 annually.
- Gambling revenue on the state is taxed at 20%
- Sportsbooks are required to have a 10% hold on all bets
- Only online sports betting is available and there aren’t any plans for retail sports betting.
Full list of legal TN Sports Betting Apps
Here are the current legal sports betting apps available in Tennessee right now:
- Action 24/7 Sportsbook
- Barstool Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- TwinSpires Sportsbook
- Wagr Sportsbook
- WynnBET Sportsbook
New sports betting sites are constantly being added to the growing market.
Popular Sports to Bet on in Tennessee
It wasn’t until 1990 that Tennessee had any of their own professional sports betting teams to cheer on. But it’s much different now. As such, here are the most popular sports and professional sports teams for Tennessee sports bettors:
- NFL Betting: The Tennessee Titans
- NBA Betting: The Memphis Grizzlies
- NHL Betting: The Nashville Predators
Pro sports aside, there is also a lot of love for college sports in Tennessee – with the University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt having excellent choices for both basketball and football. However, there are some smaller programs as well.
The state hasn’t imposed any restrictions on college sports betting. However, it isn’t allowed to make love props bets on individual college players or teams.
Other popular sports for betting in Tennessee include NASCAR, soccer, golf – and even table tennis and cricket gets some interest from Tennessee bettors.
Technically betting is restricted to sporting matches and events. The lines get a bit blurry at the Super Bowl, however, when you can make bets on things such as the coin toss. You can not wager in any entertainment events though, such as award ceremonies like the Oscars or reality TV results.
Tennessee Sports Betting History
2016-2018
It was in 2016 that Gov. Bill Haslam signed the Fantasy Sports Act. This essentially legalized DFS in Tennessee. This was the only action possible for the state until PASPA was overturned in 2018. However, even then it took some time to act on it.
In 20019, State Rep. Rick Staples introduced HB 0001, which easily got through the state legislature. Although Gov. Bill Lee never signed it when it finally got to his desk, the Tennessee state law allowed it to go through without needing his signature.
2019
This was the year when sports betting was legalized and HB 0001 made it through the legislature to become law. Sports betting in Tennessee was legalized in June 2019.
2020:
In November 2020, online sportsbetting properly launched, with DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and Action 24/7 all debuting their sites on the first day.
2021:
Action 24/7 was suspended by TEN in March after investigations uncovered evidence of proxy betting and money laundering. They reopened later that year. At the end of the year, the state boasted a record-breaking month with online sportsbooks taking more than $375 in sports betting handle.
2022:
The responsibility for Tennessee sports betting regulations was handed to the Sports Wagering Advisory Council from the Tennessee Education Lottery.
Tennessee Sports Betting FAQ
Is Sports Betting Legal in Tennessee?
Yes, it is. It is completely legal to bet on sports in Tennessee – being legalized in 2019. However retail sportsbooks are not available and the only option is online sportsbook apps. The first launched in November 2020.
Where Can I Bet on Sports in Tennessee?
You can only bet online in Tennessee at one of their licensed and regulated mobile sports betting apps.
Is It Legal to Bet at Offshore Sportsbooks in Tennessee?
No. Although you can access them, they are illegal. These are not licensed or regulated in Tennessee and do not abide by US rules. As such, there are no protections put into place to assist you if the site doesn’t pay out your winnings or closes operations without returning your funds.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Bet on Sports in TN?
As is the case across the US, you need to be 21 or older to bet on sports in Tennessee. You will need to verify your age when you sign up for a new account at any Tennessee sports betting site.
Is Horse Racing Betting Legal in Tennessee?
Yes, although there aren’t any operating race tracks that offer simulcasting or off-track wagers. You can bet on national events at sites such as TwinSpires, although you cannot use TVG in the state.
Are Daily Fantasy Sports Contests Legal in Tennessee?
Yes, Daily fantasy sports contests were officially legalized back in 2016. There are major operators available in the state including FanDuel and DraftKings.
Is Betting on College Sports Legal in Tennessee?
Yes, college sports betting is legal in Tennessee. However, you cannot make in-play props bets on college teams and individual players.
Is Action 24/7 Legal?
Yes, although it suffered a suspension previously, it is now back up and running. It is licensed and regulated in the state offering Tennessee bettors regulated online sports betting.
