Tennessee took a decidedly different path to legal sports betting, becoming the first state to allow exclusively mobile betting. So far, Tennessee sportsbooks have seen great success.
It took more than a year from the time sports betting became legal in 2019 until the first wager was made on Nov. 1, 2020, but for those in the Volunteer State, it was worth the wait as major sports betting sites have already set up shop with more sure to follow.
Though there was some concern that the large hold (10%) might scare off some operators, four Tennessee sportsbooks launched on Nov. 1, 2020.
In the first week of operations, these sportsbooks reported a total handle of $27.4 million, and the three national operators reported that the handle in Tennessee was greater than what they typically see in rollouts.
DraftKings Tennessee originally made its name in daily fantasy sports. Then, it parlayed that huge user base and name recognition into a successful juggernaut.
DraftKings App's NFL player prop bets and overall futures bets often dwarf the competition, making it the perfect place for locals to bet on the Tennessee Titans.
BetMGM Tennessee is making a name for itself in the Volunteer State. For example, they are the only Tennessee sportsbook to pay out in full on ties for golf finishing position bets.
Perhaps most importantly, BetMGM Sportsbook is known for its generous welcome bonuses and player promotions. Players can also benefit from exclusive bonuses by using our BetMGM bonus code.
Also capitalizing on its large user base like DraftKings, FanDuel Tennessee allows players to combine wallets for sports betting and DFS, which is a nice bonus.
FanDuel Sportsbook consistently receives rave user reviews on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
Based in Nashville, Action 247 is the only in-state-owned-and-operated Tennessee sportsbook. As such, it's our top option for betting on in-state teams, including the Nashville Predators and Memphis Grizzlies, not to mention the Tennessee Volunteers.
All in all, there are 12 Tennessee sportsbooks available online. These are our other top recommended options:
By signing up to multiple Tennessee sportsbooks, bettors can collect multiple bonuses and, more importantly, shop around for the best odds.
Among the deposit methods you will find at TN sportsbooks are Play+, e-wallets such as PayPal, bank transfer, ACH, and credit and debit cards.
Be aware, though, that some financial institutions still block credit card transactions while others may charge fees.
Bettors at Tennessee sportsbooks can make all the popular wagers on sports both major (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football and college basketball) and minor (motorsports, UFC, boxing, tennis, golf). You can bet on the Tennessee Titans, Memphis Grizzlies, Nashville Predators, Tennessee Volunteers and more.
Those bets include but are not limited to:
TN Sports Betting Launch: | Nov. 1, 2020 |
Max. No. of Licenses | No Limit |
Mobile Sports Betting Available? | Yes |
Retail Sports Betting Available? | No |
Regulated by: | Tennessee Sports Wagering Council |
Min. Age: | 21 |
Location Requirements: | Must be within state lines |
College Sports Restrictions: |
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Tennessee is unique in that it only allows for mobile sports betting. There are no brick-and-mortar Tennessee sportsbooks, so all legal sports betting must be one via Tennessee betting apps or online sites.
You do not need to live in-state to bet at online Tennessee sportsbooks but you must be physically within state borders to place a bet. Online Tennessee sports betting sites use geolocation software to make sure you are allowed to wager.
MORE: Latest on Online Casino Tennessee
Tennessee sports betting has been legal online since 2019 and live since 2020. The Tennessee legislature approved a sports betting bill in the spring of 2019, and Gov. Bill Lee, who is opposed to sports betting, allowed the bill to become law without his signature on July 1, 2019.
The state finalized regulations a full year later in April 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first legal sports bet in the state was not placed until Nov. 1, 2020, when four Tennessee sportsbooks launched online.
The Tennessee Sports Gaming Act, which became law on July 1, 2019, did so without Gov. Bill Lee’s signature. Lee opposed online sports gambling, saying it was not "in the best interest of the state."
You can bet on in-state college teams in Tennessee, which isn’t the case in every state. You cannot, however, live bet on college football and college basketball, and there are no college player props.
As part of its rules, Tennessee imposed a mandatory 10% hold, which means bettors could be paying more juice on every bet than they would in almost any other legal sports betting states.
Officials said they would revisit the rules after one year to see if there has been a deleterious impact.
The Tennessee legislature approves the Racing Control Act, which authorizes potential construction of race tracks.
Tennessee becomes the third state to regulate daily fantasy sports.
Rick Staples (D-Knoxville) introduces a bipartisan bill, which ends up being heavily altered.
The Tennessee Sports Gaming Act becomes law without the signature of Gov. Bill Lee.
The first legal sports bet in Tennessee is placed after months of delay.
The Sports Wagering Council takes over regulating sports betting for the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation.
Tennessee sportsbooks take responsible gambling very seriously. Bettors should always seek help if they are gambling more than they can afford to lose or believe they have a problem.
If you believe you have a sports betting addiction, you can call or text the Tennessee Redline, a 24-hour hotline, at 1-800-889-9789. You can also choose to self-exclude, and Tennessee sportsbooks will prevent you from wagering for a set period of time.