Is Sports Betting Legal In Tennessee?

With the many federal and state law changes happening all over the country, we wouldn’t be surprised if you were wondering, ‘is sports betting legal in Tennessee?’. The state was able to determine their own laws regarding the industry after a federal law known as PASPA was repealed by the Supreme Court. We’ll cover all of these law changes within this page, while also providing you with a handful of legal offshore betting options that still exist and are legal for TN residents.

In this guide, expect to learn about how the changing laws have and will affect sports betting in Tennessee moving forward. We also include a review of the most popular sportsbook for TN residents, which details just why they are so special. Make sure not to skip that section because we include a promotional code that will help boost your bankroll when you sign up. At the end of this, you should be very confident in knowing exactly what is allowed and what is outlawed within the state.

Land-Based Sports Betting in Tennessee:

While it may appear that sports betting in Tennessee is legal through a variety of avenues, the truth is, it's only acceptable online. When legislators approved HB 0001 in 2019, this only paved the way for online sports betting brands to obtain a license from the state. There are no casinos in Tennessee so there wasn’t anywhere to really house sports betting should lawmakers have gone the land-based route. To have land-based sports betting at lottery establishments was too much for any lawmakers to get behind. Luckily if you want the land-based experience, those located near the borders can travel to North Carolina, Arkansas, and Mississippi to visit a land-based sportsbook.

Legal Online Sports Betting in Tennessee:

Luckily, there are plenty of options for legal online sports betting in Tennessee. You can use anyone of the options that are currently licensed by the state. However, know that they are limited in the types of sports and bets they can offer. They are also subject to weighted odds when it comes to betting on in-state teams. There are a lot of passionate fans in TN so that could push the line to the point the odds aren’t as attractive.

Otherwise, you can still use the offshore betting sites that have been utilized by Tennessee residents for decades. These outlets will not have a location restriction nor will they outlaw and specific wagering types. For example, Tennessee regulations do not allow for betting on player props for collegiate athletes. The overseas sportsbooks will have hundreds of these lines every week and provide much better odds (generally) as well. Just remember to find a site that is both located outside of the country and has a regulatory body they adhere to. All of the online sportsbooks we recommend on this page follow that protocol as well as having excellent customer service and reliable banking methods.

Bovada Sportsbook - Offers Sports Bettors The Option Of A Full Casino As Well

Bovada Sportsbook

Tennessee residents looking for a great online sportsbook to set up an account with would be wise to take a look at the sportsbook cited by CBS Sports and other major media outlets over even the land-based books in Las Vegas and head to Bovada. The Bovada name has become a trusted gold standard in the online betting community and there's little reason to doubt why. Everything from the ease of deposit and withdrawal methods to the intuitive and customer friendly interface screams out that this is a sportsbook devoted to their huge client base.

To further prove their commitment to account holders, if you were to set up an account with Bovada today, they will match 50% of your first deposit. That means you can earn up to $250 in free play to place bets and wagers with as you peruse their huge selection of betting lines and future propositions. You won't find deals like that in Vegas. If you decide to deposit with Bitcoin, use the code BVSBITCOIN50 which gives you a 50% match, but worth up to $500 in free play.

Top Tennessee Sports Betting Sites

Rank
Online Sportsbooks
Bonuses Offered
Rating
US Players?
Play Now!
#1
50% up to $250
5 Star Rating
US Residents Welcome! Except DE, MD, NJ, NV
All States
EXCEPT: DE, MD, NJ, NV
#2
50% up to $1,000
5 Star Rating
US Residents Welcome!
All States
EXCEPT: NJ, NV, NY
#3
50% up to $1,000
5 Star Rating
US Residents Welcome!
All States
EXCEPT: NJ, NV, NY
#4
100% up to $300
5 Star Rating
US Residents Welcome!
All States
#5
50% up to $1,000
5 Star Rating
US Residents Welcome!
All States
EXCEPT: NJ, NV, NY

What's The Bottom Line? Will I Get In Trouble For Betting On Sports?

If you live in Tennessee and get in trouble for betting on sports, you must have been doing one of three things. Either you were accepting the wagers and not placing them, you were using an online site that is unlicensed from the state, or you took some action through an unlicensed bookie down the street. These are the only forms of illegal gambling within the state. Just remember, as long as the book is licensed and/or located offshore and regulated, you will not get into any trouble betting on sports in Tennessee.