Written by:

Ben Fiore

Ben Fiore

Ben has been an avid sports fan his whole life and mostly follows football and basketball, both professional and collegiate. He has been covering topics that vary from Super Bowl prop bets to articles about the generated revenue from regulated sports betting. He is currently finishing his Editing, Writing, and Media Degree at Florida State University, with a minor in Business. Diving into the world of sports betting, he is ecstatic to work in an area that has combined his two passions of sports and writing.

Ben Fiore

Best Legal Tennessee Sports Betting Apps + Sportsbooks In 2026

Tennessee Sports Betting

There are plenty of legal Tennessee sports betting sites to choose from. Titans fans and Grizzlies diehards have been placing bets on games for years. Using online sportsbooks accepting TN players or local TN books are both ways to get in on the action. So many fans use online sportsbooks to shop lines for value when betting on Tennessee teams. Also being the only way to bet on college sports in Tennessee, offshore online books like BetOnline offer more bet styles. To better understand legal sports betting, there are some TN laws and regulations to know. At the end of the 2019 legislative session, legislators passed HB 1 where Gov. Bill Lee (R) refused to sign the bill. Still, HB 1 passed into law by default on May 24, 2019. This method allows Tennessee to tax sportsbooks but also comes with restrictions. Not being able to bet on college games is one of them.

  • The first sportsbook in Tennessee accepted bets on November 1, 2020.
  • There are no retail, in-person sportsbooks in Tennessee.
  • Tennessee was the first state to launch a mobile-only regulated betting industry.
  • Tennessee state regulated sportsbooks cannot accept live prop bets on college games.
  • These restrictions are not found when using the best TN sportsbook apps 2026 like BetOnline.

Top Tennessee Sportsbooks

The Most Popular Tennessee Sportsbook For April 2026

#1

BetOnline Sportsbook

Bet On College Football At 18

BetOnline Sportsbook offers one of the most complete legal sports betting experiences to Tennessee residents. With no college betting restrictions and no bans on credit cards or other payment methods, Tennessee players can easily use BetOnline to bet on almost every sport/event imaginable.

BetOnline Sportsbook

Pros:

  • Bet on player props for Vols’ basketball, football, baseball, and more with no restrictions in Tennessee
  • BetOnline allows Tennessee players over the age of 18 to sign up and bet on sports since the sportsbook is regulated overseas
Visit BetOnline Sportsbook

Is Bovada Legal In Tennessee?

Yes, Bovada is legal in Tennessee but the online sportsbook is no longer taking players from the state. Because there are so many legal sports betting Tennessee options, Bovada has pulled their services out. With this, we recommend using BetOnline or MyBookie to bet on sports in Tennessee to avoid college betting restrictions that other sportsbook apps have in place.

Other Sportsbooks That Accept Tennessee Residents

  • BetUS
  • FanDuel
  • Xbet
  • Caesars
  • BetMGM
  • Bet365
  • Fanatics

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Tennessee Sports Betting And Gambling Laws

Tennessee gambling laws posted some strict requirements to follow when gambling in TN. TCA § 3-17-101 et seq. describes the Tennessee Nonprofit Gaming law which permits nonprofits to hold annual games of chance-based fundraising events. All proceeds must directly benefit the charity, with the law prohibiting 50/50 raffles.

All states have their own definition of “gambling,” but Tennessee has one of the most restrictive in the nation. The law explains why you will not find any casinos within the entire state. TCA § 39-17-501 et seq. defines gambling in the following way:

“Gambling is contrary to the public policy of this state and means risking anything of value for a profit whose return is to any degree contingent on chance, or any games of chance associated with casinos, including, but not limited to, slot machines, roulette wheels and the like.”

Timeline Of Tennessee Sports Betting

  • March 16, 2025 – Bet365 became the newest mobile sportsbook to launch in Tennessee.
  • November 11, 2024 – Bovada announces that they will no longer accept residents of Tennessee for legal sports betting
  • April 2023 – A bill was passed that changed how local sportsbook apps pay taxes. Instead of paying tax on revenue, they will pay 1.85% on the handle.
  • July 14, 2022 – The Consumer Choice Center ranks Tennessee fourth for sports betting out of 14 reviewed states. However, they are part of a three-way tie for that fourth place spot, so they could also be described as sixth place.
  • June 29, 2022 – May was the lowest handle month in Tennessee sports betting since September, according to the Tennessee SWAC. About $261.5 million was wagered in the month.
  • March 11, 2022 – The Tennessee SWAC approves BallyBet, SuperBook, and GameWise to launch sportsbooks online in Tennessee.
  • Jan 6, 2022The Tennessee SWAC, now in charge of the sports betting industry in TN, approved Angstrom Sports as a sports betting odds vendor, and will be looking at further approvals, both of vendors and of sportsbooks, in the future.
  • Oct 23, 2021 – Tennessee’s SWAC, the governing body of the sports betting industry, hires Mary Thomas as an executive director.
  • Oct 8, 2021 – SWAC will be taking over from the Tennessee Lottery in 2022, raising questions regarding Tennessee’s current 10% mandated hold.
  • May 12, 2021 – The official date of the transfer between the Tennessee Lottery and the Tennessee SWAC has been established – the start of 2022.
  • Apr 27, 2021 – Tennessee is looking hard at naming the Sports Wagering Advisory Committee to be the official governing body of sports betting in TN.
  • Mar 29, 2021 – Suspended wagering operator Tennessee Action 24/7 receives a temporary reinstatement.
  • Mar 23, 2021 – Tennessee Action 24/7 sues the Tennessee Lottery over its indefinite suspension of Action 24/7.
  • March 12, 2021 – William Hill goes live in Tennessee just before March Madness, with other sportsbooks soon to follow, increasing TN’s market.
  • Jan 8, 2021 – Tennessee lawmakers approved Flex Loans, loans offered for circumstances that can include sports betting.
  • November 1, 2020 – Tennessee sportsbooks launch, with FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM among them.
  • Apr 23, 2020 – Tennessee has begun accepting sports betting applications from those who wish to offer sports betting in TN.
  • Dec 20, 2019 – Sports betting has been approved by TN, but regulatory hang ups are delaying the launch.
  • May 24, 2019 – With the passage of HB 0001, Tennessee becomes the fourth state in 2019 to regulate sports betting, and the first to do so entirely online.
  • Apr 26, 2019 – HB 0001 passes the Tennessee House with a vote tally of 58-37-2.
  • Mar 28, 2019 – HB 0001, which would regulate sports betting in TN, is still stuck in committee.
  • Mar 2, 2019 – TN HB 0001 passes out of a subcommittee, but remains in committee. The bill’s number makes it clear that this is a high priority for the legislature, however, and hope remains high.

Betting Restrictions In Tennessee

Tennessee applied several betting restrictions to those who would wish to operate sportsbooks in the state. The most onerous by far is a restriction on live bets and prop bets on collegiate athletics. However, this restriction is fairly minor compared to the way some states treat collegiate athletics – banning wagers on it altogether. Another major restriction is that you can only bet on actual sporting events, and not on other events such as awards shows or television shows.

Sportsbooks With Tennessee Football Player Prop Bets

In Tennessee, local sportsbooks cannot offer player props for college football, limiting your ability to bet on players from the Tennessee Volunteers. This restriction is due to specific state regulations on sports betting. Offshore sportsbooks offer a variety of player prop bets and operate under international standards. They are licensed and secure, ensuring a safe betting experience. Check out these online sportsbooks for a more extensive range of betting options.

When Will The Legal Tennessee Sports Betting Market Launch?

Tennessee’s legal sports betting apps ​launched on November 1, 2020. The Tennessee Education Lottery (TEL) was finally able to stick to a deadline with the sports wagering market and rolled out the mobile applications on the scheduled date, which was the last of many potential launch dates that the Volunteer State had seen since the industry became regulated in May 2019. By law, Tennessee is strictly a mobile and internet sports betting state, offering no retail locations to their residents. On the day sportsbooks opened to the public, there were four licensed operators.

Many more are expected to be seen in the future as there is no cap to the number of sports betting businesses that can offer their services to Tennessee gambling enthusiasts after receiving licensure by the TEL. Sports bettors that were waiting for this day to arrive for well over a year wasted no time in placing bets. Within its’ first eight days as an operational business, the four sportsbooks in Tennessee brought in a combined handle of $27 million.

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Tennessee Sports Betting Revenue

Tennessee became the fifth-fastest sports betting state to break a $2 billion handle. This happened in their first year of activity. Taxing sportsbooks at 20% of revenue, sports betting in Tennessee has helped. The money supports programs in Tennessee focusing on education and problem gambling. In 2021, bettors placed $23.1 million in bets on the Super Bowl in Tennessee.

What Teams Can I Bet On?

Tennessee is home to a very strong sports culture thanks to the local college teams. Many Tennessee residents are die-hard local sports fans which is what makes sports betting in Tennessee so enticing. Online sportsbooks host betting lines for college teams like the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee. Tennessee is also home to NBA team the Memphis Grizzlies and NFL team the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee sports bettors aren’t limited to local teams, however, since online sportsbooks offer residents of the Volunteer State betting lines from all teams in all major sports. You can bet on any sporting event, team, player, match, or fight that you want and all the odds and betting lines will be available at legal sports betting sites.

Betting On The CMT Music Awards

As previously stated, Tennessee’s state-sanctioned sportsbooks are not allowed to offer betting odds on any award shows, including the beloved CMT Music Awards held annually in Nashville. That is not a problem for bettors looking to get in on the action though, as international sports betting options such as MyBookie and BetOnline are not bound by the same restrictions as state-regulated books.

Tennessee’s Unique Online-Only Sports Betting Model

When Tennessee legalized sports betting in a mobile-only context, it was the first state to do so. Several states have now followed suit. The solution originally came up as a way of placating Gov. Bill Lee, who was adamantly against any method of expanding actual casino placement in the state. However, it swiftly became clear that Tennessee’s online-only method was actually more efficient than other methods. The first month of Tennessee sports betting saw a handle of over $130 million, in a state where less than seven million people live. It only got bigger from there, and Tennessee has since demonstrated the efficiency of this model by outperforming several similarly sized states.

Can I Bet Real Money On Sports In Tennessee?

Yes, online sportsbooks allow you to bet real money on sports in Tennessee. You can bet on the Super Bowl, March Madness, the Masters, and other major sporting events. Real money sports betting sites have instant deposit options so that you can start betting on sports the same day. When it comes time to collect your winnings, methods like Bitcoin ensure that your cash is delivered within hours. Betting real money on sports in Tennessee is the most exciting way to wager.

Where Can I Bet On Sports At 18 In Tennessee

The minimum legal sports betting age is 18 when using offshore sportsbooks that accept Tennessee residents like BetOnline and MyBookie. Any of the locally regulated Tennessee sportsbook apps like DraftKings or FanDuel have a strict 21+ gambling age.

Closest Land-Based Sportsbooks For TN Residents

The closest place to bet in Tennessee is with a cell phone. As all sportsbooks in Tennessee are online, this is the easy answer. But if you’re looking for the closest brick and mortar sportsbooks, you will have to leave the state to be successful. Cross state lines to find a sportsbook near Tennessee.

Do Tennessee Sportsbooks Take Players From Other States?

Yes, the online sports betting sites in Tennessee take any players that are currently inside of the state. With Alabama sports betting and Georgia sports betting not having any state regulated options, it is not uncommon for bettors to make the drive and wager from their car or any restaurant. While it is not as common, South Carolina sports betting players also make the drive to gamble on their favorite sports.

Horse Racing Betting In Tennessee

Horse racing betting in Tennessee is not illegal, but you will not find any live tracks in the Volunteer State. The state repealed the 1987 Racing Control Act in 2015, which served as the regulatory framework for horse racing. Since being abolished, the state has created a Horse Racing Advisory Committee to research the potential impact of bringing horse racing back to the state.

No need to panic, legal horse racing betting is still available to TN players, through internationally licensed sports betting sites. These online racebooks allow you to bet on races at Thoroughbred and harness tracks all over the US and select countries in the rest of the world. The same horse bets that you would place at the faraway track in question can be placed online, such as win, place, show, and exotic bets. Online racebooks also have horse rebates and extra bonuses just for signing up.

Daily Fantasy Sports In Tennessee

Tennessee is one of the many states with legal Daily Fantasy Sports. Former Governor Bill Haslam (R) regulated daily fantasy sports by signing the Fantasy Sports Act of 2016. Tennessee was the third state to regulate DFS contests and create a legal framework governing the pastime. The Fantasy Sports Act requires operators to pay a 6% tax on revenue generated by TN residents and also stipulates that certain consumer protections must be in place. All participants in contests must be at least 18 years old.

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Legal Tennessee Sports Betting FAQs

Where Is The Best Place To Bet On Sports In Tennessee?

The best place to bet on sports in Tennessee is from your laptop or smartphone. There is nothing more convenient than being able to bet on the Memphis Grizzlies from the comfort of your own home (or wherever else you happen to be at the moment). You can even put the game on TV or live-stream the main event while keeping your online sportsbook’s window open. Live betting odds let you wager on sports in real-time, too. Even if there were physical sportsbooks in Tennessee, there are exclusive benefits to using online, offshore sportsbooks, like huge bonuses that you can only get when betting online.

Should I Use A Local Bookie In Tennessee?

No, you should not. While it isn’t expressly unlawful to use a black-market bookie, it’s not a good idea. You as a bettor aren’t breaking any laws, but as a bookmaker, your bookie absolutely is. That means that even though you aren’t a target for law enforcement, just betting with a local bookie means you could get caught up in a police dragnet. Further, when betting with a local bookie, there is no legal or financial recourse if that bookie splits town with your winnings or simply refuses to pay out on a big bet. Plus, local bookies don’t offer even a tenth of the action that a state-licensed or offshore online sportsbook does.

Can I Bet On Sports With My Friends In Tennessee?

Legally, you cannot bet on sports with your friends in Tennessee. The state does not permit social gambling on any level. Tennessee Code §39-17-501 through §39-17- 509 discusses gambling definitions along with offenses, and there are no exclusions for social gambling. That said, you and your friends can easily join an online sportsbook where you will all be able to choose from thousands of wagering options on TN and US sports each and every week.

When Did Sports Betting Become Legal In Tennessee?

Tennessee created sports betting legislation in 2019 but Governor Bill Lee did not sign the TN sports betting bill into law. By default, Tennessee became the first state to regulate online-only sports betting. Without any casinos in Tennessee, it was an easy transition.

How Many Sportsbooks Are In Tennessee?

The number of sportsbooks in Tennessee has grown throughout 2023. Currently, there are 8 online sportsbooks in Tennessee regulated in TN. With reliable online sportsbooks taking Tennessee players, this is only the basis.