Tennessee Sports Betting

In April 2019, legislation to legalize sports betting in Tennessee passed in the House of Representatives. House Bill 1, filed earlier in the year, would permit online sports gambling, but an amendment to the legislation removed a provision that would allow for retail sports betting. The bill was also approved in the Senate Finance committee and headed to the Senate floor, where it cleared by a 19-12 vote. The bill then moved to the desk of Gov. Bill Lee, who said he would allow it to become law without his signature.

The legislation made Tennessee the first U.S. state with a mobile-only sports betting law. Sports betting launched in November 2020 when the first four sports betting operators were licensed. Commercial gaming operators can apply for licenses to operate online sports betting and the activity is overseen by the Tennessee Lottery's Sports Wagering Advisory Council.