Tennessee Online Gaming

According to an April 2016 statement from Attorney General Herbert Slatery III, daily fantasy sports constitute illegal gambling under the state's law.

Shortly thereafter on 28 April 2016, Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law a bill to legalize daily fantasy sports, making Tennessee the third U.S. state to regulate the DFS industry. The bill passed with overwhelming majorities: 27-2 in the Senate and 67-17 in the House.

In late December 2025, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti issued formal cease-and-desist letters to nearly 40 online sweepstakes casino operators for offering unlawful gambling to Tennessee residents under a dual-currency (virtual currency and sweeps coin) system that the state determined constituted an illegal lottery under the Tennessee Constitution. Most platforms came into compliance or exited the Tennessee market before legislation advanced.

In January 2026, Representative Scott Cepicky introduced HB 1885 (with companion SB 2136 by Senator Page Haile) to codify the prohibition. The Senate passed SB 2136 32-0; the House passed HB 1885 by a 69-17-1 vote. Governor Lee signed the legislation on May 22, 2026 (effective immediately), making Tennessee the ninth state overall and the third state in 2026 — joining Indiana and Maine — to enact a statutory ban on online sweepstakes casinos. The law defines prohibited activities as any game, contest, or promotion utilizing a virtual-currency, dual-currency, or multi-currency system and specifically bans slot simulations, video poker, table games, bingo, and unlicensed sports wagering. Legal sports betting, the Tennessee Education Lottery, and fantasy sports products are explicitly exempt. Enforcement authority lies with Attorney General Skrmetti under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977.

Online Gaming Properties Operating in Tennessee