Tennessee Sports Betting Guide

Is sports betting legal in Tennessee

Yes. Tennessee legalized online sports wagering in 2019, and the first licensed mobile sportsbooks launched on November 1, 2020. Unlike many states, Tennessee law authorizes only online and mobile sports betting. There are no legal retail sportsbooks or betting kiosks anywhere in the state.

The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council regulates all licensed operators, issues approvals, and enforces the rules. Bettors must be at least 21 years old and physically located inside Tennessee when placing a wager with a legal app.

Best legal Tennessee online sportsbooks

Tennessee is an online-only sports betting market with a strong mix of national and local operators. Major brands such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook, ESPN BET, Hard Rock Bet and others are active in the state, along with Tennessee-based operators like Action 24/7.

Because everything is online, the best strategy is to open accounts at several licensed Tennessee sportsbooks. This lets you compare odds, shop for the best prices and promos, and find the interface that fits your betting style.

	Up to $1,300 New User Bonus	Deep market coverage and strong same game parlay tools. We love the the player props, live betting, golf and NFL markets.	4.9 / 5 ★★★★☆ Read review	Join
	Bet $1, Double Your Winnings On Next 20 Wagers	Integrated Caesars Rewards for hotel and dining value. Rewards program, promos tied to local teams and events.	4.8 / 5 ★★★★☆ Read review	Join
	Bet $5 Get $150 In Bonus Bets	Clean app experience and competitive odds on many sides and totals. Does a great job with same game parlays, live betting, and user friendly interface.	4.8 / 5 ★★★★☆ Read review	Join
	Up to $1,500 In Bonus Bets	Busy but powerful app with lots of live markets. Live betting, one game parlays, regular boosts and offers.	4.7 / 5 ★★★★☆ Read review	Join
	Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose	Deep international markets and sharp pricing on soccer and niche sports. Great for In play betting, soccer and tennis, alternate lines.	4.5 / 5 ★★★★☆	Join
	Up to $2,000 in No Sweat Bets FanCash	Fresh interfaces and aggressive promos as they build market. We like their promotions, live betting, newer features.	4.5 / 5 ★★★★☆	Join

Only sportsbooks licensed by the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council are legal. If a site or app does not appear on the Council’s list of approved operators, treat it as unlicensed and avoid depositing.

Key Tennessee sports betting rules

Tennessee’s law creates a modern, mobile-first framework with some unique twists. All wagering is done online, and there are specific limits on college props and certain types of novelty bets.

Who can bet in Tennessee

• You must be at least 21 years old
• You must be physically located within Tennessee when placing wagers
• You must pass identity verification when opening an account
• You may only have one account per sportsbook operator

What you can bet on

• Professional sports including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS and more
• College sports, including games involving Tennessee-based schools
• International leagues, soccer, golf, tennis, motorsports and other approved events
• Standard markets such as moneylines, spreads, totals, futures, parlays and many team props

What you cannot bet on

• Player props involving college athletes
• In-game (live) team props on college sporting events
• High school or youth sports
• Unlicensed offshore or illegal sportsbooks
• Certain novelty props tied to penalties, injuries or purely random events, depending on regulator rules

College sports betting in Tennessee

Tennessee is relatively friendly to college sports bettors compared with some states, because it allows betting on in-state college teams like the Tennessee Volunteers and Memphis Tigers. However, there are important limits on the types of college bets you can place.

Allowed on college sports

• Moneylines, spreads and totals on college games, including Tennessee-based teams
• Pre-game team props in many cases, such as team totals or certain game props
• Futures markets like conference champions and national championship odds

Not allowed on college sports

• Player props on individual college athletes (points, yards, rebounds and similar stats)
• In-game (live) team props on college events
• Any markets specifically restricted by the Sports Wagering Council

Sportsbooks may choose to be even more conservative than the minimum rules and remove certain college markets. Always rely on the menu inside your Tennessee sportsbook app to see what is currently offered.

Tennessee sports betting taxes

Tennessee uses a unique tax structure that applies a privilege tax to sportsbook handle instead of operator revenue. Bettors also face standard tax rules on gambling winnings at both the federal and state level.

Taxes on Tennessee sportsbooks

• Licensed operators pay a 1.85 percent tax on monthly betting handle (amount wagered)
• This replaced the previous 20 percent tax on adjusted gross revenue
• Tennessee is currently the only state that taxes sports betting based on handle rather than net revenue
• Most tax revenue goes to education, with portions also supporting local governments and mental health programs

Taxes on bettors and gambling winnings

• Sports betting winnings are taxable income at the federal level
• Tennessee taxes gambling winnings as part of state income tax
• Large wins may trigger tax forms or automatic withholding by the sportsbook
• Bettors are responsible for tracking and reporting net gambling winnings when they file

This is general tax information, not personal tax advice. If you wager regularly or in significant amounts, talk with a tax professional about how sports betting fits into your federal and Tennessee returns.

Retail sportsbooks in Tennessee

Tennessee is an online-only sports betting state. Lawmakers chose not to authorize brick-and-mortar sportsbooks or kiosks. All legal sports wagers must be placed through licensed mobile apps or websites while you are physically inside Tennessee.

What this means for bettors

• No casino sportsbooks, in-stadium books or standalone betting shops
• All licensed operators are available statewide on mobile and desktop
• Every bet is tied to a regulated online account with full tracking, limits and responsible gaming tools

If you see a “sportsbook” operating in person or a kiosk offering sports wagers in Tennessee, it is not part of the regulated market. Stick to licensed online sportsbooks only.

How to start betting in Tennessee

Getting started with legal sports betting in Tennessee is quick because everything happens online. You can complete the entire process on your phone or laptop in just a few minutes.

1. Choose one or more licensed Tennessee sportsbook apps from the Sports Wagering Council’s approved list.
2. Download each app or visit the official website and select Tennessee as your state.
3. Create an account with your legal name, address, date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
4. Enable location services so the app can confirm you are inside Tennessee.
5. Make your first deposit using online banking, debit card or another supported payment method.
6. Review the terms of any welcome offer to make sure your first bet qualifies.
7. Place your first wager and track your bets and results within the app.

Smart tips for Tennessee sports bettors

A competitive online market is great for bettors, but it also makes it easy to overspend or chase promotions. A few simple habits can help you get more value from Tennessee sportsbooks without letting betting take over.

If betting stops being fun or you feel out of control, contact the Tennessee REDLINE or the national 1-800-GAMBLER hotline for confidential help and resources.

Tennessee sports betting FAQ