Tennessee Online Sports Betting Sites & iPhone Mobile Apps

It has been a long time coming, but sports betting in Tennessee will be happening quite soon. The state is a hotbed for football from the Tennessee Titans in Nashville to multiple top-tier college football programs and a plethora of SEC football fans. Sports betting will be very popular in the Volunteer State, and sports betting is expected to be offered before football season begins in 2020. The state of Tennessee has some different laws from other states, as it will be an online-only sports betting state but with plenty of sportsbook operators expected to enter. Let’s take a look at where you can bet, how you can bet, which betting apps will be available and more in Tennessee.

Tennessee Launches Legal Sports Betting

The time has finally come, and Tennessee will offer legal sports betting with three online sportsbook operators in November. The state will launch with four total sportsbooks online (with Tennessee Action 24/7), but three for the sense of large sportsbook brands in DraftKings, BetMGM, and FanDuel. Here is a look at the first three options in the state upon launch.

DraftKings Sportsbook Tennessee Goes Live

Tennessee is launching sports betting in November, and it looks like DraftKings Sportsbook will be one of the few that launch in the state right away. While the law has been “passed” officially since 2019, sports betting has been under a long process to be officially launched in the state from mobile devices. As you can see, with DraftKings Sportsbook and others, it is a state that allows for outside platforms to offer legal sports betting online. The original launch late was considered to be late October, by November 1st. With DraftKings Sportsbook tweeting the above on October 8th, that timeline certainly falls into place. This is great news for Tennessee, as only a handful of southern states allow for online sports betting.

DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM Awarded Sports Betting Licenses

When it comes to Tennessee sports betting, the big names (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM) will be able to offer betting in the state right away. The Sports Wagering Committee in Tennessee issued three licenses for the online-only operators. For operators to enter the state, there are a few hurdles, as follows:

• $750K annual cost for a license
• 10% hold (was discussion to move to 5%).
• Set to launch in November

Tennessee is expected to be a state that generates significant revenue from sports betting, and it will join the list of legal sports betting states to offer mobile betting to all residents and visitors. The only worry is the 10% hold by the sportsbooks, which could make prices higher for the bettors. Time will tell, but here is a look at the three sportsbook platforms looking to launch in Tennessee in November.

BetMGM Sportsbook Tennessee

BetMGM Sportsbook is set to launch in November 2020 in Tennessee.

DraftKings Sportsbook Tennessee

DraftKings Sportsbook will launch in November 2020 in Tennessee.

FanDuel Sportsbook Tennessee

FanDuel Sportsbook Tennessee will launch in November, 2020.

Other sportsbooks will likely look to enter Tennessee, as a new and untapped market for sports betting with a heavy sports following in SEC-country. Expect platforms like PointsBet, FOX Bet and more to enter.

Where Can I Bet in Tennessee?

Tennessee is very unique in its offerings, as there will only be online wagering. Many states have online and retail betting, a few have retail-only, but Tennessee will have online-only sports betting. This is a smart move by decision-makers in Tennessee, as the online betting handles have surpassed 85% in most states that offer both. This means you will need a smart phone, computer, tablet, or other mobile device in order to bet in Tennessee with a valid internet connection. There will be no retail sportsbooks. As long as you are located within state lines with an internet connection, you can wager on sports in the Volunteer State.

Approved Sports Betting Licenses in Tennessee

As of late October, there were three sports betting licenses that were approved in the state for outside sportsbooks. This means there will be three mobile sportsbooks available at launch in early November. These are the three books:

• DraftKings via Crown Tennessee Gaming
• BetMGM
• FanDuel via Betfair Interactive US

The fourth operator is Tennessee Action 24/7, which is a local Tennessee company that will compete with the large brands in the state for market share.

When Can I Bet on Sports in Tennessee?

The estimated date is November 1st, 2020, but will certainly be live in November. With college football, pro football, the Masters, and many other sports being offered in the fall it is widely expected that a launch date in early November is set in stone. Tennessee is a large tourism state, from Nashville to the smokey mountains, so having the ability to bet online before football ends is massive. Here is a look at the timeline of how sports betting became legal in the state:

How to bet on sports legally in Tennessee

With legal sports betting launching in Tennessee, there will be a large influx of sports bettors that are new to the market. Here is how to place wagers legally at Tennessee sportsbooks:

• Find your favorite legal sportsbook. At launch, you will be able to use DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM.
• Sign up for the sportsbook(s) with your information, including DOB, email address, and where you live to verify your identity. This is used for regulation-purposes.
• Once you are signed up, you will need to deposit to fund your account. There will be a variety of payment methods allowing for a smooth transition.
• Place your bets! Remember, most legal sportsbooks could offer a risk-free wager so be sure to choose your first bet properly!

Tennessee Sports Betting Apps

Expect there to be many other offerings in the state, as Tennessee law does not prohibit a limit on operators. The one barrier to entry is a $750,000 annual license fee and a 20% tax, along with the 10% hold which causes juice to be raised for bettors.

Expect to see the following legal sportsbooks in Tennessee:

• FanDuel Sportsbook
• DraftKings Sportsbook
• PointsBet
• Unibet Sportsbook
• BetMGM
• Bet365
• 888
• William Hill
• FoxBet
• Circa Sports
• and more!

Upon launch, BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel will be live.

What Sports Can I Bet in Tennessee?

Tennessee offers the following sports to wager on:

• Auto Racing
• Baseball
• Basketball (Pro and College)
• Bowling
• Boxing
• Cricket
• eSports
• Football (Pro and College)
• Golf
• Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Mixed Martial Arts
• Olympics
• Rugby
• Sailing
• Soccer
• Softball
• Tennis
• Track and Field

What teams can I bet on in Tennessee?

Tennessee is a hotbed for sports, especially football with a pro football team and a plethora of college football programs. In addition, the Memphis Grizzlies, Nashville Predators, and a professional soccer team all play in Tennessee. Here is a look at the list of Tennessee sports teams that are eligible to be wagered on in the state.

Tennessee Pro Sports Teams

• Tennessee Titans
• Memphis Grizzlies
• Nashville Predators
• Nashville Soccer Club

College Football Teams in Tennessee (FBS)

• Tennessee Volunteers
• Memphis Tigers
• Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
• Vanderbilt Commodores

College Basketball Teams in Tennessee (Division 1)

• Austin Peay
• Belmont
• Chattanooga
• East Tennessee State
• Lipscomb
• Memphis
• Middle Tennessee State
• Tennessee
• Tennessee State
• Tennessee Tech
• UT Martin
• Vanderbilt

Other professional sports held in Tennessee:

• NASCAR
• SEC Football Tournament
• SEC Basketball Tournament

What Types of Bets Can I Place in Tennessee?

No prop bets on collegiate athletics can be offered in the state of Tennessee, with the only other caveat being that the sports leagues can technically choose not to offer certain types of bets.

Tennessee sportsbooks offer the following types of wagers:

• Moneylines
• Totals
• Spreads
• Parlays and Teasers
• Props
• Futures
• Live In-Game Betting
• and more!

How Can I Deposit Money at Tennessee Sportsbooks?

Expect to see the following cashier methods on sportsbook apps in Tennessee:

• Electronic Bank Transfers
• Debit Cards
• Other online payment types

This was written into the law, so it will be interesting to see the exact offerings when Tennessee sports betting apps are launched.

Tennessee Sports Betting Law

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said that he would essentially allow the Tennessee sports betting bill become law without his signature, giving the “floor room to talk”, per se. This means if anyone opposed it, they could hash it out in congress but that was met with little resistance. In late April 2019, the Tennessee Senate passed S16 with H1 that allowed for Tennessee to offer legal sports betting in Tennessee. Some specifics of Tennessee law:

• Online sports betting only
• Tax Rate is 20% and a $750,000 annual license fee
• Must have major sports league data to offer in-play wagering
• These leagues can restrict types of bets if they choose
• No collegiate prop betting
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• 5% hold
• No limits on sportsbook operators

Tennessee Sports Betting Frequently Asked Questions

Is sports betting legal in Tennessee?

Yes. With H1 passing in Tennessee, sports betting is officially legal in the state. It is expected to be launched in November, 2020.

How old do I have to be to bet on sports in Tennessee?

You must be 21 years of age or more to bet on sports in Tennessee

Do I have to live in Tennessee to bet on sports?

No. As long as you are physically located in the state, you may place a wager on sports.

Can I bet if I visit Nashville from another state?

Yes, as long as you are physically located in Tennessee, you may legally wager assuming you meet the requirements.

What does the sports betting tax revenue go to in Tennessee?

Per legislation, the tax revenue in Tennessee from sports betting will go to: Education (80%) Infrastructure (15%) Mental Health and Substance Abuse (5%)