Tennessee Sports
Betting
Tennessee sports betting is live in the Volunteer State, the first US state ever to launch with a mobile-only model (November 1, 2020). No retail sportsbooks exist. Compare all 10 licensed sportsbooks, claim the best bonuses, and bet legally and responsibly.
Best Tennessee Sportsbooks
All ten licensed online sportsbooks operating in Tennessee, independently reviewed and ranked. Each operator is regulated by the Sports Wagering Council (SWC) and fully legal for anyone 21+ within state lines.
DraftKings
Market Leader- Launched day one (Nov 1, 2020)
- Market leader in Tennessee
- Tennessee Titans partner
FanDuel
Mobile Experience- Launched TN day one (Nov 1, 2020)
- #2 market share in Tennessee
- Best Same Game Parlay builder
BetMGM
Loyalty Program- Nashville Predators partnership
- MGM Rewards integration
- Deep futures and props markets
Caesars Sportsbook
Rewards Program- Caesars Rewards integration
- Replaced William Hill in TN
- Strong NFL and college football pricing
bet365
Live Betting- Best live cash-out in Tennessee
- 40+ sports covered globally
- Two welcome offer options
Fanatics Sportsbook
Merch Rewards- Launched TN May 1, 2023
- FanCash for official team merch
- Acquired PointsBet US operations
theScore Bet
Content Integration- Launched TN Nov 14, 2023
- Operated by PENN Sports Interactive
- Deep ESPN content integration
Hard Rock Bet
Loyalty Perks- Launched TN Sep 6, 2022
- Hard Rock Unity loyalty program
- Music and entertainment perks
Bally Bet
Regional Brand- Launched TN Oct 17, 2024
- Bally Entertainment-owned
- Growing regional sportsbook
VIP Play
Niche Operator- Licensed TN May 2023
- Boutique smaller operator
- Niche market focus
Welcome Bonus Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of every welcome offer available to new Tennessee bettors. All bonuses are subject to terms and conditions, always read the fine print before claiming.
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Condition | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | Instantly + 20% deposit match up to $1,000 secondary · valid through July 1, 2026 | $5 |
| FanDuel | Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets | If first bet wins · NBA Finals + MLB regular-season focus · valid through June 30, 2026 | $5 |
| BetMGM | Up to $1,500 First Bet Refund | Stake refunded as bonus bets if first bet loses · TN retains $1,500 legacy tier · valid through July 31, 2026 | $10 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | 10× 100% Profit Boost Tokens | $1 qualifying bet · $25 max stake each · valid through Aug 18, 2026 | $10 |
| bet365 | Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets | If first bet wins · TN-tailored offer (five $30 bonus bets across NBA Finals/MLB) · valid through June 30, 2026 | $10 |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | 10× $100 Bet Matches over 10 Days | Up to $1,000 total in FanCash · auto-applied, no code · valid through July 4, 2026 | $5 |
| theScore Bet | Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets | If first bet wins · rebranded from ESPN BET Dec 2025 · valid through July 31, 2026 | $10 |
| Hard Rock Bet | Bet $50, Get $250 in Bonus Bets | If first bet wins · Unity by Hard Rock loyalty · valid through July 15, 2026 | $10 |
| Bally Bet | Up to $250 First Bet Refund | Refund as bonus bets if first bet loses · Bally Rewards loyalty · valid through July 31, 2026 | $10 |
| VIP Play | Welcome Offer | Varies by promotion | $10 |
💡 Smart Bonus Tips for Tennessee Bettors
How to Start Betting in Tennessee
From choosing a sportsbook to placing your first wager, here's exactly how to get started with legal sports betting in the Volunteer State.
Choose a Sportsbook
Pick a licensed Tennessee sportsbook from our reviewed list above. Each operator is regulated by the Sports Wagering Council (SWC).
Create Your Account
Provide your name, email, address, phone number, and last four digits of your SSN. Geolocation confirms you're in Tennessee.
Claim Your Bonus
Enter any promo code during registration or on your first deposit. Each sportsbook has unique welcome offers, compare before committing.
Fund & Start Betting
Make your first deposit via debit card, bank transfer, PayPal, or other accepted methods. Credit cards are NOT allowed in Tennessee. Most sportsbooks have $5-$10 minimums.
Popular Bet Types Explained
Moneyline
The simplest bet, pick the winner. Odds like -150 (favorite) or +130 (underdog) indicate how much you win relative to your stake.
Point Spread
Bet on the margin of victory. If the Chiefs are -6.5, they must win by 7+ points for your bet to pay out.
Over/Under (Totals)
Wager on whether the combined score will be over or under a number set by the sportsbook. Available for most major sports.
Parlays
Combine multiple bets into one for higher payouts. All selections must win, higher risk, higher reward.
Props
Bet on specific outcomes within a game, like a player's total passing yards or first touchdown scorer. Note: college player props restricted for in-state teams.
Futures
Long-term bets on season outcomes, Super Bowl winner, MVP award, division champions. Placed weeks or months in advance.
Live / In-Game
Bet while the action unfolds. Lines shift in real-time based on game events, fast-paced and exciting.
Same-Game Parlays
Combine multiple props and outcomes from a single game. Example: Chiefs to win + Mahomes 300+ yards + Over 45.5 total.
What Can You Bet On?
Tennessee sportsbooks cover all major professional and college sports. Here's what's available to bet on right now.
NFL
Titans, AFC South odds, Super Bowl futures, player props, live in-game betting
MLB
No in-state team. Regional interest in Braves, Reds, and MLB futures
NBA
Grizzlies, Ja Morant props, Western Conference odds, MVP futures
NHL
Predators, puck lines, goalie props, Stanley Cup futures (BetMGM partner)
College Sports
Volunteers, Commodores, Memphis Tigers. NO player props on any NCAA athletes
Soccer
Premier League, MLS, Champions League, FIFA World Cup 2026, Nashville SC
NASCAR
Nashville Superspeedway, Ally 400, race winners, pole position props
UFC / MMA
Title fights, main cards, round betting, method of victory
Titans, Predators & SEC Football Dominate the Market
NFL, led by the Tennessee Titans and Super Bowl futures, drives the largest share of Tennessee's sports betting handle. SEC college football, especially Tennessee Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores, delivers huge weekly volume. Hockey fans can bet on the Nashville Predators, while NBA action centers on the Memphis Grizzlies. Remember: team markets only on NCAA games, player props are prohibited for all college athletes.
Tennessee Sports Betting Laws
📜 Tennessee Sports Gaming Act
The Tennessee General Assembly passed the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act (HB 1 / SB 16) in April 2019. Governor Bill Lee, a personal opponent of gambling expansion, allowed the bill to become law in July 2019 without his signature. Online wagering launched on November 1, 2020, making Tennessee the first US state to operate a 100% mobile-only sports betting market.
🏛️ Regulatory Oversight
The Sports Wagering Council (SWC) is the sole regulator of sports betting in Tennessee. The SWC took over from the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation (TELC) on January 1, 2022. It licenses operators, enforces responsible gaming rules, and publishes monthly handle, revenue, and tax reports.
💰 Tax Structure
Tennessee is the only US state that taxes sports betting operators based on handle (total wagers) rather than revenue. The current rate is 1.85% of total handle, effective July 2023, a change from the original 20% revenue tax and 10% minimum hold rule. Tax revenue supports education and responsible gambling programs.
📋 Licensing
Tennessee has no statutory cap on the number of online sportsbook licenses. Any operator meeting Sports Wagering Council requirements and paying the licensing fee can apply. All licensed books operate online only, there are no retail sportsbooks, no casino-based books, and no betting kiosks anywhere in the state.
🎓 College Betting Restrictions
Betting on college sports is legal in Tennessee, including in-state teams like the Tennessee Volunteers, Vanderbilt Commodores, and Memphis Tigers. However, player prop bets are prohibited on ALL NCAA athletes, in-state and out-of-state. Team markets (moneyline, spread, totals) and futures are fully available.
📍 Mobile-Only Market
Tennessee has no legal casinos, no commercial card rooms, and no retail sportsbooks, the only US state with this structure. Every legal wager must be placed through a licensed mobile app while physically located within state lines, confirmed by geolocation. Credit card deposits are also prohibited, a consumer-protection measure unique to Tennessee.
Key Timeline
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sports betting legal in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee legalized sports betting in July 2019 when Governor Bill Lee allowed the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act (HB 1 / SB 16) to become law without his signature. Online wagering launched on November 1, 2020, making Tennessee the first US state to launch with a mobile-only model, no retail sportsbooks exist in the state.
How many sportsbooks are in Tennessee?
As of April 2026, Tennessee has 10 licensed online sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, Fanatics, ESPN BET, Hard Rock Bet, Bally Bet, and VIP Play. Tennessee has no statutory cap on the number of licenses, any operator meeting Sports Wagering Council requirements can apply.
Are there retail sportsbooks in Tennessee?
No. Tennessee is unique in being the only US state with a 100% mobile-only sports betting market. There are no retail sportsbooks, no betting kiosks, and no casino-based wagering options anywhere in the state. All legal bets must be placed through one of the 10 licensed mobile apps.
How old do I have to be to bet in Tennessee?
You must be 21 or older to place sports bets in Tennessee. Geolocation technology verifies you are within state lines for every wager.
Can I bet on the Tennessee Volunteers and Vanderbilt?
You can bet on team-based markets (moneyline, spread, totals) for in-state college teams including the Tennessee Volunteers, Vanderbilt Commodores, and Memphis Tigers. However, player-specific props (passing yards, points scored) are PROHIBITED for all NCAA events, this applies to both in-state and out-of-state college athletes.
What is the tax rate in Tennessee?
Tennessee is the only US state that taxes operators based on handle (total wagers) rather than revenue. The tax rate is 1.85% of total handle. This replaced the original 10% hold rule in 2023. Tax revenue supports educational scholarship programs, local infrastructure, and responsible gambling programs.
Can I use a credit card to deposit in Tennessee?
No. Tennessee is the only US state that prohibits credit card deposits for sports betting, a measure designed to promote responsible gaming and prevent gambling-related debt. Debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets (PayPal, Venmo), and prepaid cards are all accepted.
Does ESPN BET operate in Tennessee?
Yes. ESPN BET launched in Tennessee on November 14, 2023, operated by PENN Entertainment under its PENN Sports Interactive division. It replaced the earlier Barstool Sportsbook brand after PENN ended its partnership with Barstool Sports. The app features deep ESPN content integration including scores, stats, and analysis alongside standard sportsbook markets.
Who regulates sports betting in Tennessee?
The Sports Wagering Council (SWC) is the sole regulator of sports betting in Tennessee. The SWC took over from the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation (TELC) on January 1, 2022. The SWC licenses operators, enforces compliance, publishes monthly handle and tax reports, and has been aggressive in fining unlicensed offshore operators.