Online Gambling in Tennessee (2026) | Laws, Sports Betting & Casino Guide
Quick Legal Status
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| Online Casino (iGaming) | ❌ NOT LEGAL — no casinos of any kind in Tennessee |
| Online Sports Betting | ✅ LEGAL — since November 1, 2020 |
| Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) | ✅ LEGAL — since 2006 |
| Land-Based Casinos | ❌ NONE — Tennessee has zero casinos |
| Online Poker | ❌ NOT LEGAL |
| Lottery | ✅ LEGAL — Tennessee Education Lottery |
| Horse Racing Wagering | ❌ NOT LEGAL |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 21 (sports betting); 18 (lottery) |
| Regulator | Tennessee Education Lottery (TEL) |
Legal Overview
What’s Legal
- Online sports betting is fully legal in Tennessee. The Tennessee Sports Gaming Act authorized online-only sports wagering, and the first licensed sportsbooks went live on November 1, 2020. Tennessee is one of the only states with a fully online-only legal sports betting market — no retail sportsbooks at physical locations.
- Daily Fantasy Sports has been legal in Tennessee since 2006. DFS providers do not need a state license. DraftKings and FanDuel both operate DFS in Tennessee.
- March Madness pools are legal with a $25 buy-in cap and $1,000 prize cap; only individuals (not businesses) may operate pools.
- Tennessee Education Lottery products are available to adults 18 and older.
What’s Not Legal
- Online casino gaming (iGaming) is NOT legal in Tennessee. Tennessee has no casinos of any kind — no tribal gaming, no commercial casinos, no racinos. Online casino legislation is not expected in the near term.
- Land-based casinos do not exist in Tennessee. There are no commercial casinos, tribal gaming facilities, racetrack casinos, or video lottery terminals at casino-style facilities anywhere in Tennessee. This is not a temporary gap — it reflects Tennessee’s constitution and political culture.
- Online poker is not available from any licensed operator.
- Horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering is not legal in Tennessee.
- Retail sportsbooks: Tennessee is an online-only market. All wagering must be done via licensed apps or websites.
Key Legislation
| Bill / Law | Year | What It Did |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Sports Gaming Act (SB 16 / HB 1) | 2019 | Signed by Governor Bill Lee; created online-only sports wagering framework; licensed through Tennessee Education Lottery; no land-based casino anchor requirement; unlimited licenses; went live November 1, 2020 |
| DFS Legalization | 2006 | Tennessee legalized daily fantasy sports; DFS providers operate without a state license requirement |
| March Madness Pools | 2019 | Authorized with $25 buy-in cap, $1,000 prize cap; only individuals may conduct pools |
Regulatory Structure
The Tennessee Education Lottery (TEL) regulates all licensed sports wagering in Tennessee. Because Tennessee has no casinos, there is no casino gaming commission — the TEL functions as the sole sports wagering authority.
10% Hold Requirement: Tennessee is the only state to impose a minimum hold rate on licensed sportsbooks. Operators must retain at least 10% of total handle — meaning they cannot pay out more than 90% of dollars wagered. This makes Tennessee sportsbooks’ odds slightly less competitive than other states.
Tax rate: 20% privilege tax on aggregate revenue. License application fee: $50,000. License purchase: $700,000. Annual renewal: $750,000.
Licensed Online Sports Betting Operators
Tennessee has one of the most competitive online-only sports betting markets in the South. As of 2026, 12 licensed online sportsbooks are active. The TEL can issue unlimited licenses.
| Operator | Status |
|---|---|
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Active |
| bet365 | Active |
| BetMGM | Active |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Active |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Active |
| Hard Rock Bet | Active |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Active |
| ESPN Bet | Active |
| Additional operators | Up to 12 total active (full list at tel.org) |
All operators are licensed by the Tennessee Education Lottery. Because Tennessee is online-only, there are no retail sportsbook locations.
Land-Based Casinos
Tennessee has ZERO land-based casinos.
There are no commercial casinos, tribal/Native American gaming facilities, racetrack casinos, or video lottery terminals at casino-style facilities anywhere in Tennessee. This reflects Tennessee’s constitution and state law, which do not authorize any form of casino gaming. No credible casino legalization effort is expected in the near term.
For casino gaming near Tennessee, the nearest options are across state lines: Mississippi (Tunica and Gulf Coast casinos), Indiana (13 licensed casinos), and Kentucky (sports betting legal since 2023).
Offshore Online Casinos
Players in Tennessee may access offshore online casinos, though these operate outside state regulation. Because Tennessee has no licensed online casino market, offshore options are the only way Tennessee residents can access online casino games.
Tennessee is not among the restricted states for the major offshore operators. All five sites listed below are believed to accept Tennessee players.
Important: These operators are not licensed by the TEL or any Tennessee regulatory body. Players accept additional risk when using unregulated platforms and have no recourse under Tennessee law.
| Operator | Tennessee Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bovada | Likely accepts TN players | Curaçao-licensed; Tennessee not in restricted states list |
| Wild Casino | Likely accepts TN players | Panama Gaming Commission; no known Tennessee restriction |
| Ignition Casino | Likely accepts TN players | Tennessee not in restricted states (MD, DE, NV, NJ, NY only) |
| Cafe Casino | Likely accepts TN players | No known Tennessee restriction |
| Slots.LV | Likely accepts TN players | No known Tennessee restriction |
Responsible Gambling
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| National Problem Gambling Helpline | 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) — 24/7; displayed by all licensed TN sportsbooks |
| Tennessee Dept. of Mental Health | tn.gov/behavioral-health.html |
| National Council on Problem Gambling | ncpgambling.org |
| SAMHSA Helpline | 1-800-662-4357 |
Self-Exclusion
Tennessee sports betting self-exclusion is administered by the Tennessee Education Lottery (TEL). Players can self-exclude from all licensed sportsbooks. Visit tel.org for enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online gambling legal in Tennessee?
Online sports betting is fully legal in Tennessee since November 1, 2020. Online casino gaming is NOT legal. Tennessee has no casinos of any kind — no commercial casinos, no tribal gaming, no racinos. Online casino legislation is not expected in the near term.
Can I bet on sports online in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee has 12 active licensed online sportsbooks as of 2026, including FanDuel, bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, Hard Rock Bet, and DraftKings. You must be 21+ and physically located in Tennessee. Tennessee is an online-only market — there are no retail sportsbook locations.
Are there any casinos in Tennessee?
No. Tennessee has zero casinos of any kind — no commercial casinos, no tribal/Native American gaming facilities, no racetrack casinos, and no video lottery terminals at casino-style facilities. This is not expected to change in the near term.
What is the minimum age for sports betting in Tennessee?
The minimum age for sports betting in Tennessee is 21. The Tennessee Lottery minimum age is 18.
Who regulates sports betting in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Education Lottery (TEL) regulates all licensed sports wagering. The TEL issues licenses, enforces compliance, and collects privilege tax revenue. Website: tel.org. There is no separate gaming commission because the state has no casinos.
What is Tennessee’s 10% hold requirement?
Tennessee is the only state to impose a minimum hold rate on licensed sportsbooks. Operators must retain at least 10% of total handle — they cannot pay out more than 90% of dollars wagered. This makes Tennessee sportsbook odds slightly less competitive than other states.
Can Tennessee residents use offshore online casinos?
Offshore casinos such as Bovada, Wild Casino, Ignition Casino, Cafe Casino, and Slots.LV are believed to accept Tennessee players. Tennessee is not among their restricted states. However, offshore casinos operate outside Tennessee law and without TEL oversight. Since Tennessee has no licensed online casino market, offshore platforms are the only avenue for online casino play.
Is daily fantasy sports legal in Tennessee?
Yes. DFS has been legal in Tennessee since 2006 — one of the earliest states to authorize it. DFS providers do not need a TEL license. DraftKings and FanDuel both operate DFS contests in Tennessee.
Related Guides
- USA Online Casinos — Full state-by-state guide hub
- North Carolina — Neighboring state; online sports betting launched March 2024
- Virginia — Neighboring state; sports betting and tribal casinos legal
- Indiana — Neighboring state; sports betting legal, 13 land-based casinos
- New Jersey — Legal iGaming since 2013
- Responsible Gambling Policy
Last verified: 2026-05-19 | Responsible Gambling Policy | How We Review
