The number of casinos in Tennessee remains zero to date because they have one of the strictest gambling laws in the country. To this effect, the state lottery is the only permitted form of gambling in Tennessee. Gamblers within the borders of The Volunteer State are resigned to visiting nearby states that offer casino games such as Missouri and Mississippi.
There have been several attempts to convince the gaming authorities to repeal the bill that made it illegal for Tennessee casinos to operate in the state. Some of the legal gambling in Tennessee take the form of online sports betting. Take the time to go through our guide on how to navigate Tennessee casino law on your next visit to the state.
The gambling laws in Tennessee are quite clear when it comes to the legal definition of gambling in the state. Players that are in breach of these rules of law are subject to facing harsh penalties and possibly a jail sentence. It is illegal to gamble in Tennessee, which encompasses the act of
betting on anything of value against even the slightest element of chance, whether the skill is involved or not. The meaning of gambling is described in section 39-17-501 as the “risking anything of value for a profit whose return is to any degree contingent on chance, or any games of chance associated with casinos, including, but not limited to, slot machines, roulette wheels and the like.”
With the shift from brick and mortar gambling leading to the development of online casinos, the state’s bill also made provision to remove all doubt about the legal status of online gambling:
In Tennessee State, gambling devices are defined as “anything designed for use in gambling”.
As mentioned above, the state lottery is the biggest form of gambling in Tennessee. Players that want to take a crack at hitting the jackpot have to be of age. The Tennessee casino age to buy a lottery ticket is 18 years and older. Some of the lottery draws that you can play in the state:
Mega Millions
Powerball
Hot Lotto
Tennessee Cash
Cash 3 & Cash 4
Tennessee Online Casinos
Players that have resorted to gambling on the internet have had to find offshore internet casinos that accept US players. Because the state laws prohibit any form of risking money on the chance of making a profit, it stands to reason that the state doesn’t allow this type of gaming. Players are advised to stick within the bounds of the law, lest they are found guilty and face possible imprisonment.
Daily Fantasy Sports Sites
In 2016, the government passed a bill into law that allowed daily fantasy sports betting to be legal. Your favorite DFS sites accept bets online for all the popular sports in the United States of America. Gamblers can wager on NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, and MLS esports games and win big. Place a bet at internationally recognized operators such as
DraftKings
FanDuel
DraftDay
FantasyDraft
StarsDraft
Tennessee Casino FAQs
Can I bet online in Tennessee?
Yes, you can bet on daily fantasy sports events online to win in Tennessee.
Does Tennessee have casinos?
No, Tennessee does not have any casinos operating in the state. The federal law upholds the gaming compact that prohibits any operators from having casinos in Tennessee.
Why are there no casinos in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Constitution prohibits any form of gambling, as set out in the amended constitution in 2014. This decision would also nullify the federal law to recognize American Indian tribes as part of a state-tribal gaming compact.
Where can you gamble in Tennessee?
Players can only gamble on the state lottery games, social charity games, such as bingo as well as daily fantasy sports games. There is no other form of gambling allowed in Tennessee.
Are casinos illegal in Tennessee?
Yes, to operate a casino in Tennessee is illegal, and if caught conducting that activity, you’d be subject to a jail sentence.
Can I legally bet sports online?
Yes, you can bet on sports events at licensed and regulated sites that offer the options in Tennessee.
