Tennessee Sports Betting Laws & Regulations

Tennessee offers a unique sports betting landscape, being the only U.S. state with an online-only wagering market. In Tennesseebet.com we’ve reviewed the best ones.

Sports betting in Tennessee is regulated by the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWAC), which assumed oversight on January 1, 2022. The Council ensures all operators comply with state laws, promote responsible gaming, and maintain the integrity of wagering markets.

Overview of Tennessee Sports Betting Laws

Tennessee’s sports betting market developed through steady legislative reforms, resulting in one of the most comprehensive Tennessee sports betting laws frameworks in the U.S.

Legalization Timeline:

2019 – Tennessee Sports Gaming Act (TCA § 4-49-101 et seq.): Legalized online sports betting and established the regulatory framework.
November 2020 – Market Launch: First operators licensed under the Tennessee Education Lottery (TEL).
2021 – Senate Bill 588: Created the Tennessee Sports Wagering Advisory Council (SWAC) to assume regulatory duties.
January 1, 2022 – SWAC Control: SWAC became the state’s primary regulator, overseeing licensing, compliance, and integrity.
2023 – Senate Bill 0475: Replaced the old tax system, removed the 10% hold rule, and renamed the agency the “Sports Wagering Council” (keeping the SWAC acronym).

Tennessee operates an online-only model with no casinos, racetracks, or retail sportsbooks. All wagering must occur within Tennessee borders using geolocation verification. Licensed operators offer betting solely through mobile apps and websites.

Regulator & Oversight

All sports betting in Tennessee is regulated by the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWAC) — the state’s sole authority for licensing, enforcement, and compliance.

SWAC issues and renews operator licenses while overseeing compliance and rule enforcement. The Council creates and updates Tennessee’s sports betting regulations, administers consumer protection and complaint resolution, and manages the statewide self-exclusion program. SWAC also publishes monthly transparency and compliance reports.

The regulatory framework is governed by SWAC Rule 1350-03 in the Tennessee Administrative Code, which includes a formal rulemaking process with public input. The framework features regular updates reflecting industry and technology changes.

The latest update in June 2025 introduced mandatory multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all player accounts.

Tennessee’s Licensing Model

Tennessee’s online-only licensing system is administered by the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWAC) to ensure a secure and competitive betting market. There are different kinds of licences available:

Sports Betting Operator License: Authorizes companies to accept and manage wagers.
Vendor Registration: Required for service providers (payments, geolocation, data, odds).
Key Personnel Licensing: Mandatory background checks for owners and executives.

Tennessee’s licensing system requires no casino requirement, allowing operators to apply directly to SWAC without retail or casino partnerships needed.

Applicants undergo a comprehensive review where they are assessed on financial stability, integrity, and compliance systems. Fees and renewals are set in SWAC Rule 1350-03, with periodic renewals including compliance checks.

The state maintains suitability standards through continuous vetting via financial and technical audits. Additionally, operators must maintain bond requirements in the form of financial guarantees protecting player funds.

As of October 2025, Tennessee has 12 active licensees, including: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet, Circa Sports, PropSwap, Underdog Fantasy, and Betr.

For more information on how we deal with these sportsbooks, check out our affiliate disclosure.

Who Can Bet in Tennessee

Tennessee’s sports betting laws set strict eligibility standards to ensure wagering is legal, responsible, and integrity-driven.

Bettors must meet a 21+ age requirement, verified by ID during account registration, and be physically located within Tennessee when placing a wager, confirmed via geolocation. Residency is not required, meaning visitors may legally bet while in the state.

According to the SWAC Rule 1350-03, anyone under 21 years old is prohibited from wagering. Individuals on the SWAC self-exclusion list are also excluded, along with athletes, coaches, officials, or insiders with access to nonpublic information.

Athletes cannot bet on their own sport at any level. Coaches, officials, and referees are prohibited from wagering on the sports they oversee, while team or league employees are banned from betting on their organization’s games. Trainers and medical staff cannot wager on sports where they are employed.

These restrictions are enforced by the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWAC) to preserve fairness and protect the integrity of competition.

Where Betting is Allowed

Tennessee is a fully online sports betting market governed by strict Tennessee online betting rules under SWAC oversight. Local law prohibits physical sportsbooks at casinos, racetracks, or any other venue—making it the only major U.S. state with a 100% online betting system.

Bettors can access licensed sportsbooks through mobile apps on iOS and Android, mobile-optimized websites, desktop or laptop browsers, and tablet applications.

Bettors must be physically within Tennessee when placing wagers, as geolocation technology verifies in-state presence for every bet. Out-of-state wagers are prohibited, even with a Tennessee account. Border areas are closely monitored, and false rejections can occur near state lines.

All platforms must implement KYC and age verification using government-issued ID, maintain geolocation accuracy as required under SWAC rules, and ensure secure payment processing and data encryption.

Operators must comply with SWAC Rule 1350-03 privacy and integrity standards.

Allowed & Prohibited Betting Market

The SWAC regulations in Tennesse and the Rule 1350-03-.09 outline detailed Tennessee college betting restrictions and defines which markets are permitted to maintain sports integrity.

Professional sports betting is permitted on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, UFC, golf, tennis, auto racing, and more. College sports wagering is allowed on NCAA football, basketball, and other collegiate events. International sports including soccer, cricket, rugby, and darts are also available.

eSports betting was approved in 2022 for competitive video gaming tournaments. Futures and parlays, including season-long bets and same-game parlays, are permitted, along with live in-play betting for real-time wagering during games.

Point spreads, moneylines, totals, and futures on college teams—including in-state programs—are allowed. However, player props, in-game proposition bets, and wagers on individual college athlete stats are prohibited. High school or youth sports involving athletes under 18 are strictly banned. Injury or penalty-based bets and chance-driven props such as coin tosses or Gatorade color are also prohibited. Additionally, any events violating the Tennessee Constitution (Article XI, Section 5) cannot be offered.

Tennessee’s Credit Card Deposit Prohibition

Tennessee is the only U.S. state enforcing a complete Tennessee credit card betting ban, prohibiting credit card use for all sports wagering deposits. Operators must clearly disclose this restriction to players.

This restriction reduces gambling-related debt, ensures consistent consumer protections across all licensed sportsbooks and distinguishes Tennessee’s market as the nation’s most financially responsible online betting system.

These are some of the allowed deposit methods available in TN:

Debit cards
Online banking / ACH transfers
PayPal and other e-wallets
Prepaid cards (Play+, gift cards)
Wire transfers
Cash deposits via approved retail partners (payment only, no betting on-site)

Advertising & Promotions in Tennessee

All sportsbook promotions in Tennessee must comply with SWAC Rule 1350-03-.10, which governs truthfulness, transparency, and responsible marketing practices.

Promotional standards highlight the need for promotions to be:

Must be truthful and not misleading.
Clearly disclose material terms (wagering requirements, time limits, eligibility).
Include responsible gambling (RG) messaging and “21+ only” notice.
Display the Tennessee REDLINE helpline: 1-800-889-9789.
“Risk-free” language prohibited when player funds are at risk.

Bonus or “bet credit” offers must be clearly identified as non-cash site credits. Expiration dates and usage restrictions must be prominently shown, and terms and conditions must be easily accessible.

Ads cannot target self-excluded or problem gamblers, and operators must respect self-exclusion and cooling-off periods. Urgency-based messaging such as “act now” is discouraged to protect vulnerable players.

Taxes & Revenue Use in Tennessee

Tennessee taxes sports betting using a unique handle-based system, making it one of the few states to do so.

The tax rate is 1.85% of total handle, meaning all wagers placed. This structure became effective July 1, 2023, under Senate Bill 0475, and replaced the prior 20% revenue-based tax while removing the 10% hold rule. The reform also eliminated promotional deductions and simplified reporting.

Most states tax operator revenue at rates ranging from 10–51%. Tennessee’s handle-based model is broader and more predictable, ensuring steady revenue for the state.

The majority of revenue supports education funding for K–12 programs. Local governments, including counties and municipalities, receive allocations, while a portion is dedicated to mental health and problem gambling services, providing funding for the Tennessee REDLINE and treatment initiatives.

Operators are required to submit monthly tax reporting and remittance to SWAC and are subject to auditing and verification. Penalties apply for late or inaccurate submissions.

Player Protections & Responsible Gambling

Under the guidance of the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council, SWAC Rule 1350-03-.11, all licensed sportsbooks must provide responsible gambling tools and protection measures.

Mandatory player tools:

Deposit, wager, and loss limits (daily, weekly, or monthly).
Time limits and reality checks during play.
Cool-off periods (24 hours to 30 days).
Self-exclusion for 1, 3, or 5 years across all licensed operators.

Self-exclusion program:

Administered by: Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWAC).
Enroll: https://www.tn.gov/swac/forms/self-exclusion.html.
Effect: Accounts closed, marketing blocked, and access denied for duration.

Support resources:

Tennessee REDLINE: 1-800-889-9789 (call or text, 24/7).
The Gambling Clinic (University of Memphis): (901) 678-STOP – memphis.edu/gamblingclinic.
National Council on Problem Gambling: 1-800-522-4700.
TAADAS: Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug & Other Addiction Services.

Operator responsibilities:

Prominent display of RG tools and links.
Staff training on responsible gambling procedures.
No marketing to self-excluded individuals.

Integrity, Data, & Privacy

Tennessee enforces strict integrity and data protection standards under SWAC Rules 1350-03-.06 and 1350-03-.12, ensuring fair play and player security.

Operators must report suspicious betting activity to SWAC and are required to cooperate with sports leagues and law enforcement on integrity matters. SWAC can suspend betting on events under investigation, while real-time monitoring systems track betting patterns for irregularities.

Each bettor is limited to one account per person per operator. Government-issued ID is required for age and identity verification (21+), and proof of address and payment method ownership may be required. Account sharing is prohibited.

Operators must secure personal and financial data using encryption and access controls. Disclosure of customer data is limited, and breaches must be reported to SWAC and affected users. For details on how personal data is collected and protected, see the Privacy Policy.

Geolocation technology uses GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular triangulation to confirm bettors are within Tennessee. The technology must meet SWAC accuracy and privacy standards, and operators may not store unnecessary location history.

Reporting, Audits, & Enforcement

The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWAC) oversees all reporting, auditing, and enforcement to ensure compliance, integrity, and consumer protection.

Monthly operator reports:

Handle & Revenue: Total wagers, payouts, and tax remittance (1.85% of handle).
Promotions: Bonus bet activity and terms.
Responsible Gambling Metrics: Self-exclusion data, limits set, and RG interactions.
Integrity Reports: Suspicious activity notifications.

SWAC audits:

Regular financial and technical system audits.
Responsible gambling tool testing and geolocation verification.
Payment processing and third-party system reviews.

Grounds for disciplinary action:

Noncompliance or license violations.
Failure to pay taxes or protect player funds.
Accepting ineligible wagers (under 21, out-of-state, self-excluded).
False advertising, integrity violations, or data breaches.

Penalties & enforcement tools:

Fines, license suspension, or revocation.
Public censure or conditional licensing.
Settlement agreements for corrective action.

Due process & transparency:

Operators receive notice and hearing before sanctions.
Decisions subject to appeal and public record disclosure.
Enforcement actions documented in SWAC meeting minutes: tn.gov/swac.

How to Verify a Tennessee Sportsbook is Licensed

Before betting, confirm your sportsbook is officially licensed by the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWAC) to ensure safety and legal protection. Follow these steps:

Check SWAC’s Licensed Operator List: Visit tn.gov/swac/sports-wagering-operators.html, which is updated regularly with all approved operators.
Look for SWAC License Number: The license number should be displayed in the website footer or terms page; confirm it matches SWAC’s registry.
Confirm Required Disclosures: The site must show “21+ only,” geolocation notice, and Tennessee REDLINE (1-800-889-9789).
Verify Domain & App: Use only official brand domains and apps from the App Store or Google Play.

Be cautious of sites that are missing from SWAC’s official list or have no RG messaging or Tennessee REDLINE. Sites that accept credit cards or lack geolocation checks are also red flags, as are those using suspicious or offshore domains.

Additionally, any platform that promises “guaranteed wins” or unrealistic bonuses should be avoided.

Licensed sites provide consumer protections, dispute resolution, and secure payments—unlicensed operators do not.

Report Suspected Violations: [email protected] | 📞 615-253-7922

Recent Updates & Rule Changes

Tennessee’s sports betting laws continue to evolve through legislative and regulatory actions by the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWAC).

June 2025 – Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):

Effective June 30, 2025.
MFA required for all player accounts (via SMS, email, or authenticator apps).
Strengthens account security and fraud prevention.

2023 – Tax Reform (SB 0475):

Replaced 20% revenue tax with 1.85% handle-based tax.
Removed 10% hold rule and promotional deductions.
Ended requirement for official league data on in-play wagers.

2023 – SWAC Name Change:

Renamed from “Sports Wagering Advisory Council” to “Sports Wagering Council.”
Reflects full regulatory authority (SWAC acronym retained).

2022 – SWAC Assumes Control:

January 1, 2022: SWAC took over from the Tennessee Education Lottery.
Centralized oversight of licensing, compliance, and integrity monitoring.

2022 – eSports Authorized:

SWAC approved esports wagering, expanding the market beyond traditional sports.

Ongoing Rulemaking:

Regular rule reviews with public input and stakeholder engagement.
Updates posted via tn.gov/swac and the Tennessee General Assembly site.

TennesseeBet.com is committed to accuracy, integrity, and transparency in all coverage. Learn more about our standards in our Editorial Principles.

Tennessee Sports Betting Resources

Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWAC):

Website: tn.gov/swac
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 615-253-7922
Licensed Operators: tn.gov/swac/licensees-registrants.html
Self-Exclusion Form: tn.gov/swac/forms/self-exclusion.html

Responsible gambling support:

Tennessee REDLINE: 1-800-889-9789 (call or text, 24/7)
The Gambling Clinic – University of Memphis: (901) 678-STOP | memphis.edu/gamblingclinic
National Council on Problem Gambling: 1-800-522-4700
TAADAS: Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug & Other Addiction Services

Legislative resources:

Bill Tracker: wapp.capitol.tn.gov
Senate Bill 588 (2021): Created SWAC
Senate Bill 0475 (2023): Reformed sports betting tax structure

Tennessee Sports Betting FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Tennessee?

Yes. Sports betting became legal in 2019 under the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act and launched in November 2020.

What is the minimum age to bet?

You must be 21 or older, verified with government-issued ID.

Can visitors from other states bet?

Yes — as long as they are physically located in Tennessee when placing bets.

Are college sports bets allowed?

Yes, but no player prop bets or in-game props are allowed on college events.

What betting markets are prohibited?

No wagering on high school or youth sports, injury or penalty outcomes, or chance-based props (like coin tosses).

Why can’t I use credit cards to deposit?

Tennessee bans credit card deposits to prevent gambling debt — a rule unique among U.S. states.

Are there retail sportsbooks in Tennessee?

No. Tennessee is a 100% online-only sports betting market.

How are promotions and bonuses taxed?

Operators pay a 1.85% handle-based tax on all wagers; promotions can’t be deducted.

How do I file a complaint?

Contact SWAC via [email protected] or 615-253-7922.

How do I self-exclude?

Enroll through SWAC’s Self-Exclusion Form: tn.gov/swac/forms/self-exclusion.html.

What happens if I bet from outside Tennessee?

Your wager will be blocked — geolocation systems prevent out-of-state betting.