Tennessee, the Volunteer State, has some major cities including Nashville and Memphis. Tennessee also some major sports franchises between the two cities. The Memphis Grizzlies, Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators all reside in the state and give local sports fans some hometown heroes. There is also the University of Tennessee, home of the Volunteers, a successful college athletic program. Tennessee residents can place bets on these or any other of their favorite teams using the sportsbooks in this guide. Sports betting has a few different regulations in place, but by learning about them you’ll be able to place bets in Tennessee without fear of penalty. This guide has information on the state and federal laws pertaining to sports betting and recommendations for the best legal sportsbooks available to Tennessee residents.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Tennessee?
At this time, state regulated sports betting is not legal in Tennessee either online or offline. There are several federal gambling laws in place that ensure the state doesn’t have any opportunities to foster a sports wagering environment in any capacity. Since these federal laws are already in place, there was no need for Tennessee’s gambling laws to address the issue of sports betting. While it may sound like residents of the Volunteer State are left without any options for legally sanctioned sportsbook betting, that is actually not the case. There are no state or federal laws that prohibit Tennesseans from participating in legitimate sports gambling at offshore sportsbook destinations that are licensed, regulated and located outside of the USA. The sportsbooks listed in this guide are all operating legally within the industry and hold the appropriate credentials for offering their betting services to US bettors.
Most Reputable Sportsbooks for Tennessee Residents
The sportsbooks comprising this list are our top recommendations for Tennessee residents. These are premier sportsbooks within the industry and have passed our inspection for betting lines, legality and security. These sportsbooks are legally licensed to operate and have features such as live betting, mobile apps and more. If you’re looking to get involved with sports betting, these are your best options for legally and safely placing sports wagers online.
| Logo | Site Name | Bonus | Rating | USA | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Betonline Sportsbook | 50% Max $2500 |  |
 |
Visit Site |
 |
Sportsbetting | 75% Max $1000 | |
|
Visit Site |
 |
Bovada Sportsbook | 50% Max $250 | |
|
Visit Site |
How State and Federal Laws Regulate Sports Betting in Tennessee
The Federal Wire Act restricts the placing of online bets through US-based sportsbooks. It was passed in efforts to curtail organized crime when they were profiting off sports betting. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) makes US based sports betting illegal in 46 states, including Tennessee. The bill was passed in 1992 in order to stop the legalization of sports betting nationwide.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) monitors banks and their processing of transactions acquired through online gambling; the UIGEA doesn’t make it illegal to place bets online. These laws only apply to US-based sports betting, meaning the offshore sportsbooks recommended in this guide are outside the jurisdiction of the federal laws in place.
Popular Teams To Bet On In Tennessee
The Tennessee Titans are a strong NFL team in the AFC, especially under QB Marcus Mariota. The Memphis Grizzlies are a popular NBA team and the Nashville Predators make up the state’s NHL presence. The Tennessee Volunteers are a strong team, but they play in the SEC, a tough conference.
NFL Teams In Tennessee
NBA Teams In Tennessee
NHL Teams In Tennessee
Popular College Sports Teams In Tennessee
University of Tennessee Volunteers
FAQs About Betting On Sports
Can I Bet On College Sports In Tennessee?
Yes. Our featured sportsbooks offer betting lines on NCAA games as well as professional sports league games. Tennessee residents can bet on their local favorites, the Volunteers, and any other NCAA team should they choose to do so.
What Types of Sports Can I Bet On At Online Sportsbooks?
These sportsbooks have betting lines open for football, basketball, soccer, baseball, hockey and more. There are even international sports like cricket as well as bets on racing, fights, tennis, golf and more. The variety of sports allows for sports fans to bet year round.
What Types of Bets Are Available At Online Sportsbooks Accepting Tennessee Residents?
There are a few different types of bets you can make at online sportsbooks. There are bets on or against the spread, parlay bets, prop bets, future bets, total (over/under) bets and others. Different bets have different odds, so for example you could stand to make a lot off a parlay bet as opposed to a single bet. The larger payouts tend to be more risky.
What Is The Spread?
The spread is the number of points in a game that a team is predicted to win or lose by. For example, if a team is favored by five-points, the spread is -5. If you wager on the favorite, than the team must win by five or more to cover your bet. If a team is a five-point underdog, the spread is reflected as +5. If you place a bet on the underdog, they must lose by five or less points to cover your bet. The spread changes based on the expected outcome of a game. A tighter competition will have a smaller spread.
What Is A Bet Slip?
A bet slip is what the sportsbooks use to track the wagers you’ve made. Once you select a bet, you enter how much you want to wager and it will show you how much you stand to win. Sometimes the bet slip will even preview other bet types you can make in case you’re running out of ideas. The bet slip keeps everything organized and makes it easy to place your bets. Be mindful, because once a bet is placed it is considered final.
What States Were Exempted From PASPA?
The only four states exempted from PASPA are Nevada, Oregon, Montana and Delaware. These states were exempted because they already had some form of sports betting in place at the time of the bill’s passing in 1992. Out of these four, Nevada is the only one to have unrestricted sports betting.
Are Online Sportsbooks That Accept Tennessee Residents Legal?
The sportsbooks that we’ve recommended are all legally sanctioned and are regulated by their presiding governments. They have the proper licensing and certifications to operate and accept Tennessee residents. These sites are used by millions and have been vetted by our team of industry professionals. There are illegal sportsbooks operating online that are not legitimately licensed or regulated, so we do suggest you rely on the input of industry professionals when selecting the sportsbook at which you will bet.