Tennessee's online-only sports gaming program is unlike any other in the nation, experts say, and its launch is more than a year in the making. Online sports gaming became legal in the state, which. Online Sports Betting at SportsBetting.ag. SportsBetting.ag is your ‘top spot’ for the best in sports betting excitement. No matter what your favorite game might be you’ll find it on the board along with a huge variety of sports and betting options.

In contrast to other states that have either legalized online gaming or taken significant steps towards doing so, Texas has made no progress whatsoever towards legalizing any type of gaming in the state. There are little to no prospects at the current time for Texas to legalize online gaming. The gambling landscape is Texas is sparse, at least from a legal perspective, due to cultural factors inherent in Texas.

Texas Sports Betting Q&A 2020

Will Texas legalize sports betting?

Where is the closest legal sports’ betting to Texas?

What are the Texas sports betting laws?

Does Texas allow Daily Fantasy Sports?

What are the taxes in Texas on gambling winnings?

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Texas legalize sports betting?

Legislation to legalize sports betting is currently on the books, but without a concrete timetable. However, with five professional franchises in the Dallas area and another four in Houston, most feel it is a matter of time. With over 28 million residents, the sports betting market is huge.

Where is the closest legal sports’ betting to Texas?

Texans in the western panhandle and in the eastern parts of the state can cross state lines into New Mexico and Arkansas respectfully. These are the two closest physical locations where a Texas resident can legally bet on sports games.

What are the Texas sports betting laws?

Under the penal code of Texas, most gambling is illegal. Texas residents can gamble at Native American casinos in the state. Currently, there are ongoing legislative discussions to legalize sports betting, but to date, the law lists it as at least a misdemeanor crime.

Does Texas allow Daily Fantasy Sports?

This question depends on who you ask. According to the Texas State Attorney General, DFS contests violate the state’s laws against gambling. There is a pending legal case involving DFS providers who are still accepting Texas residents for DFS contests.

What are the taxes in Texas on gambling winnings?

Gambling outside the Native American casinos is illegal in Texas. Pinpointing the tax rate on any winnings is tough. The state doesn’t have an income tax, so to avoid potential tax evasion problems, the best solution is to apply the state’s so-called sin tax on such things as gambling.

What is Allowed and What Isn’t is 2020

Texas is one of the strictest states in the U.S. when it comes to betting laws. In fact, Texas Hold ‘Em is one of the most popular games in the country, but if you gambled on it in Texas, you could face a misdemeanor charge. Under the penal code, any form of gambling is illegal. Gambling is defined in the state law as any bet based on the notion of winning or losing something based purely on chance. Residents are restricted from betting roulette, blackjack, and poker, both at casinos and online, as long as they are in state property.

Contents

This said, there are three casinos that operate in lands that are Native American territory inside, or just outside, the Texas border where Texas residents can go to gamble. Texas law does not apply to these lands, and therefore, casino gambling is allowed. Texas is very big, so these three casinos may be very far away from you if you live in the state. There is Naskila Gambling, located in eastern Texas in Livingston. About an hour north of Dallas is the WinStar World Casino and Resort located just over the Texas border in Oklahoma, where casino gambling is legal. The third location is in Eagle Pass in extreme southwest Texas at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino and Resort.

Sports Betting in Texas

Currently, sports betting is not allowed in Texas. This includes mobile online and gambling. However, horse racing and parimutuels betting are legal in the state, and there are tracks throughout where gambling enthusiasts go to and place wagers. Furthermore, DraftKings and FanDuel are allowed to operate in the state, and fantasy sports enthusiasts are allowed to use those websites to play daily fantasy sports games. However, while you are allowed to play daily fantasy sports, there hasn’t been a bill to regulate it yet. FanDuel has taken the more conservative road and has pulled out of Texas.

Is Betting on the Horizon in 2020?

Within the last six months, Rep. Eddie Lucio filed H 1275, legislation that would authorize and regulate sports betting operations, including mobile and online betting, in the state. The bill requires a referendum that would amend the state constitution. If passed, it would then need to be approved by voters in the November election. House Resolution 61 is also on the House floor, which would authorize betting on professional and collegiate sports. In order to be placed on the ballot for voters in November, two-thirds of both the Texas House and Senate must approve Lucio’s bill. While many consider it a long shot in the near future, if more states continue to pass legislation, Texas will eventually be pressured to pass betting legislation for the first time. In other words, as the nation goes, so will Texas.

Existing Gambling in Texas

While other neighboring states are starting to allow gaming outlets, Texas only has three casinos in the state. Commercial casinos are by law not permitted to operate in Texas. Most of the gaming in Texas is centered on the Texas State Lottery and limited horse racing venues. The three casinos in the state are Native American casinos. Two of these casinos have been the subject of protracted litigation in which the state successfully closed the casinos. These casinos restarted operations on their own after the National Indian Gaming Commission issued a legal opinion stating that these casinos were not illegal. The matter is back in court, where the state has again attempted to shutter the casinos. Texas has undertaken numerous efforts over the years to crack down on what it views to be illegal gambling. In addition, various types of poker rooms have been established where the operator charges players “rental fees” so as not to run afoul of restrictions against receiving money from a pot as an organizer of a game of chance.

The act of gambling is not per se illegal in itself in Texas. Residents of the state wager on DFS and through offshore casinos and no enforcement actions have been taken against them. There is nothing that prohibits these activities. Offering gambling as an operator, however, is illegal in Texas, and the restrictions are extensive. However, these restrictions are not necessarily clear, and they are inconsistently enforced. There is enough gray area in Texas gambling laws that creates some uncertainty for operators to devise new types of gaming that may not necessarily be illegal.

Currently, the black market for gambling in Texas is strong. In addition to the poker rooms, there are slots in Texas that operate either in spite of or with the tacit endorsement of law enforcement. One loophole that is exploited is that some slot machines pay non-cash prizes since the illegality is the payment of cash prizes. This loophole originated from the fact that legislators wanted to ensure that amusement machines that awarded prizes would not be considered illegal gambling.

Other slot machines simply operate behind closed doors. Some counties receive tax revenue from licensing slot machines that may or not be violating the law. The case of slots evidences both the vague nature of Texas laws and the amount of gambling that occurs, notwithstanding the prohibitions in the law.

Prospects for Gaming Expansion

In addition, there are no efforts underway in Texas that would legalize sports betting. Numerous pari mutual venues have expressed an interest in accepting sports wagers if they were to be legalized. Numerous gambling legalization bills have been introduced in the past, but they have never received a vote in the Texas Legislature. Instead, they have been sent to committee where the bills have died. Even in the event that the bills cleared the legislature, they would likely face a veto from the Texas Governor who maintains his opposition to gambling.

Even legislation that would have legalized and regulated daily fantasy sports in Texas never made it out committee and languished after it was introduced. DraftKings & FanDuel do not operate their daily fantasy product in Texas. At this point, Texans are left to hope that demographic changes in the state could ultimately change the political calculus in a way that would permit online and expanded gaming in the state because the current leadership is intractably opposed. Other neighboring states such as Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Louisiana have expanded gaming regardless of the political bent of those that control the levers of power in the states.

Notwithstanding, studies that show that expanded gaming can have a $1.7 billion impact on the Texas economy, political forces in the state vehemently oppose gaming. The black market in the state is already estimated at close to $2 billion. The bulk of the opposition to gambling is based on moral and religious objections to wagering. In addition to opposition based on moral grounds, some Texas opponents of gambling claim that expended wagering would lead to greater spending on social programs and regulation. Interestingly enough, the Texas Attorney General signed a legal brief supporting New Jersey in the case of Murphy v. NCAA, but his support should not be interpreted as an endorsement of gambling. Instead, he viewed the federal ban on sports wagering as an encroachment on state’s rights.

It is unlikely that legal gaming expansion will come to Texas anytime soon, and little can change that reality even though gambling is already occurring. Perhaps if the state receives evidence that Texas residents are traveling outside of the state to gamble, a movement would begin to expand gaming in Texas to keep revenues within the state. That, however, is doubtful to occur. As is, Texas is losing potential revenues as its residents are betting offshore and illegally within the state, and that revenue could be taxed. Control of the state government would need to change hands at this point in order for gambling to be expanded in any form in the state. The best possible outcome for gambling proponents at this point is that voters are able to decide the question of gaming expansion in a referendum.

Free Betting News & Bonus OffersFind Out When You Can Legally Bet in Your State

Tennessee legalized sports betting when Governor Bill Lee allowed Tennessee House Bill 1to become law without a signature. Although online gambling in Tenessee is relatively limited, legal online sports betting is imminent. Four operators have been granted licenses to offer sportsbooks in The Volunteer State, and online sports betting launched on November 1, 2020.

Almost every state with legal sports betting requires operators to have a land-based partner in order to offer their product in the market. Tennessee is unique among its counterparts in that it allows online-only sportsbooks. The move makes sense, considering there are no land-based casinos anywhere in the state.

With four operators ready to go and more certainly right behind them, Tennessee is staged to be a hotspot for online sports betting in the US.

Legal Online Sportsbooks In Tennessee

Tennessee launched full-fledged online sports betting sites on November 1, 2020. Four operators debuted in the first wave of Tennessee sportsbooks.

Here are the live online sportsbooks in Tennessee along with the bonuses they offer for new players:

• FanDuel Sportsbook: Up to $1000 bonus here.
• BetMGM: Up to $500 bonus here
• DraftKings Sportsbook: Up to $1000 bonus here.
• Action 24/7: Up to $100 bonus

See our complete guide to Online Gambling In Tennessee.

Tennessee Online Sportsbooks

Tennessee’s online-only sportsbook landscape makes for a unique environment that will likely welcome a wide variety of sports betting companies. Right now, four sportsbooks have licenses to operate in Tennessee. Here’s a rundown of three of those operators, plus a few others we expect to join the market.

FanDuel TN Bonus: Claim a $1,000 risk-free bet at BetMGM.

New players can get up to a $1,000 rebate on their first bet made at FanDuel Sportsbook. There’s no need for a code when depositing to unlock this $1,000 risk-free bet offer. Use our link above.

No discussion of online sports betting is complete without FanDuel. The company has a license to operate in Tennessee right alongside its rival DraftKings. FanDuel has a variety of betting markets, key partnership deals, and great welcome promotions.

BetMGM

BetMGM TN Bonus: Claim a $500 deposit bonus at BetMGM.

BetMGM offers a decent new player bonus offer. Enter “TOPBONUS100″ to claim up to a $500 deposit match bonus at BetMGM Tennessee.

BetMGM has carved out space in the sports betting industry as well. With a recent hotel development in Nashville and recently announced as the official sports betting partner of Tennessee Titans, MGM has a big presence in Tennessee. Online sports betting is certainly next, as BetMGM rounds out the list of licensed operators in Tennessee.

DraftKings

DraftKings TN Bonus Offer: Get a $1,000 deposit bonus when you sign up at DraftKings Sportsbook TN. The $1,000 bonus offer comes in the form of a combination of a deposit match bonus. Claim your $1,000 bonus at DraftKings Tennessee.

The DraftKings bonus offers in Tennessee include a 20% deposit match bonus up to $1000.

DraftKings is one of the first three operators to secure a sports betting license in The Volunteer State. The company is an undeniable sports betting leader, so it should come as no surprise that was one of the state’s first sportsbooks. DraftKings is known for its great bonuses, promotions, and betting pools.

Action 24/7

Action 24/7 TN Bonus Offer: Up to $100

Action 24/7 is currently Tennessee’s only in-state sportsbook operator. The Action 24/7 sportsbook features Tennessee-specific offers and special deals on in-state teams in addition to a full-fledged sports betting portfolio. There are also various free-to-play games on Action 24/7 that allow players to win cash, branded swag, and wagering credits. All-in-all, it’s a top-notch Tennessee sportsbook.

Sportsbooks That May Come To Tennessee

William Hill

William Hill is another major operator with online sportsbooks in a number of regulated markets. Tennessee presents a great opportunity for William Hill to launch an online-only offering.

PointsBet

PointsBet has been rising through the ranks of the sports betting world to become a true contender. Its presence in newly legalized states like Illinois and Colorado bodes well for a possible Tennessee launch.

Tennessee Online Sports Betting Apps

The possibilities in Tennessee are virtually limitless thanks to the state’s online-only sports betting law. Here is a list of TN sports betting apps likely to launch in 2020/2021.

• Action 247
• Bet365
• PointsBet
• Barstool Sports
• William Hill

Tennessee Online Sports Betting Bonuses

Bonuses are beneficial to sports bettors in every state, but Tennessee may prove a hotbed for lucrative promotions and offers. Sportsbooks will be online only, meaning customers will have no existing preference based on a casino partner or loyalty program. Instead, bettors will have their pick of the litter when it comes to deciding which sportsbook to use. It’s a safe bet that the site with the best offers will pull ahead. Here are common promotions and Tennessee sports betting bonuses to keep an eye out for.

Deposit Match Bonus

Deposit matches are offered at many online sports betting sites. They essentially increase your account fund the first time you make a deposit. For example, DraftKings offers a 20% deposit match up to $500. If you deposit $2,500, you can claim the full bonus amount. Casual bettors may wish to deposit less upfront, and that’s okay–even a more modest $200 deposit would get you a $40 bonus credit.

You usually have to bet a certain amount to claim deposit bonuses. In most states, DraftKings requires you to bet $25 to claim $1 of the deposit match credit.

Check for special deals, too. Some sportsbooks will offer deposit matches on your first two or three deposits if you’re lucky.

Risk-Free Bets

Lossback or risk-free bet bonuses give you some insurance on your first wager. You place a bet, and if it loses, the sportsbook refunds some or all of the initial bet and the bonus expires. If you win your bet, the bonus still expires.

Risk-free bets are especially beneficial to new players. They allow you to place a bet without worrying too much about losing. You’ll be able to familiarize yourself with the betting process and hopefully win some money.

FanDuel, BetMGM, and DraftKings all offer risk-free bets to new players in most states in Tennessee. Check for terms and conditions, though. Sometimes you have to place the risk-free bet within a certain time window after signing up.

Refer A Friend

Referrals aren’t quite as common in sports betting as they are on horse race betting sites or online casinos. However, with Tennessee’s online-only approach, word of mouth and referrals could translate to new business for operators.

Refer a friend bonuses credit your account once a friend uses your link or email invite to sign up for a sportsbook and make a deposit or a wager. The bonus range varies, usually getting you and the referred bettor $50 to $100 either in site credit or as a single free bet.

No Deposit Bonus

This is the simplest bonus type. Just sign up for a sports betting account and the operator will give you a small stipend. It’s basically their way of thanking you for signing up, and the bonus amounts usually range from $5 to $30.

What Sports Can You Bet On In Tennessee?

Tennessee is embracing sports betting in a way few other states have by allowing online-only operators and placing no maximum on the number of operators in the state. This open stance toward sports gambling is reflected in the actual sports on offer. Tennessee doesn’t have many restrictions surrounding which sports operators can take bets on, making the state a progressive player in the industry.

Betting On US Pro Sports In Tennessee

Tennessee is no stranger to professional sports teams. The state is home to the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA), Tennessee Titans (NFL), and Nashville Predators (NHL). The Nashville Soccer Club joined the Major League Soccer scene with its inaugural season this year.

Professional leagues will undoubtedly make up a huge slice of Tennessee’s sports betting revenue, including Super Bowl betting. The state’s only requirement is that sports betting operators purchase and use official league data for their available pro sports bets. That data enables things like in-play betting.

Tennessee College Sports Betting

College sports betting is allowed in Tennessee as well. Some states prohibit bettors from wagering on in-state college matches (even if the in-state school is playing elsewhere), but Tennessee has no such restriction. It’s a good thing, too, because the state has a widely popular college sports scene.

The only stipulation with regard to college betting is that live or in-play betting isn’t allowed. Otherwise, Tennessee bettors will be able to place bets on March Madness, the College Football Championship, and regular-season games.

Betting On International Sports In Tennessee

Globally popular sports like cricket, rugby, international soccer leagues, darts, and much more are available at Tennessee’s sportsbooks.

There’s no shortage of worldwide sports on most betting sites. Tennessee operators offer similar bets to those in other states.

The Olympics, one of the world’s biggest sporting events, will feature bets as well. Any event governed by a national or international organization is fair game. Tennessee will surely make use of that rule, especially when Olympic events and international competitions like the FIFA World Cup come around.

Tennessee Esports Betting

Esports betting is allowed by Tennessee’s sports betting law.

Other states that allow esports betting have specific restrictions in place to regulate it. For example, some laws require all participants in a given esports contest to be at least 18 years old. Given the young demographic that participates in esports tournaments, this could remove some wagering opportunities. It’s possible that Tennessee could put similar regulations in place.

What Else Can You Bet On At Tennessee Sportsbooks?

Tennessee law allows for a wide selection of sports bets. You name the sports, chances are you’ll be able to wager on it when Tennessee launches sports betting. MMA, UFC, NASCAR, and many other sports are available in the state.

Popular Deposit Methods For Tennessee Sportsbooks

The online and mobile sports betting framework that Tennessee has put in place creates an interesting landscape for payment methods. Because no land-based casinos are in the state, players won’t be able to deposit or withdraw in cash at a property. However, there are still plenty of payment options available in the Volunteer State.

PayPal

PayPal is commonly accepted at sports betting sites and is available at Tennessee’s sportsbooks, too. The service allows you to deposit money into your sportsbook account with just a few clicks.

Credit And Debit Cards

Credit/debit cards are simple and effective. Pretty much every regulated US sportsbook accepts them, and Tennessee keeps up that trend. Use them with caution, though, because banks commonly decline sports betting transactions as a precautionary measure.

Prepaid Cards

Many sportsbook sites offer prepaid cards as an alternative method of payment. You can load the card with funds from your bank and use it at the sportsbook.

Online Banking

You can connect your bank account directly to your sports betting account for quick wire transfer payments or ACH deposits. Sportsbooks use high-level encryption to protect your data, making this method a fast and easy way to deposit funds.

Cash

Cash is actually the only deposit method not be available in Tennessee, given the absence of any land-based properties. Unless the state significantly changes its stance on casinos, you’re unlikely to find the cash deposit option at the state’s sportsbooks.

What Is The Biggest Online Sportsbook In Tennessee By Revenue?

Tennessee doesn’t have a leading sportsbook yet. Three of the current license holders–BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel–could reasonably take the top slot in The Volunteer State.

The first month of legal sports betting will likely yield an early leader in Tennessee. We will update this page as more revenue information becomes available.

What Do I Need To Create A Tennessee Sportsbook Account?

To register at Tennessee sportsbooks, apps will ask you for the following information:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Email
• Phone Number
• Password (you’ll create one)
• Last 4 digits of your SSN

From there, you’ll have to verify your location. Typically sportsbooks will use your phone’s built-in GPS to do this, but some require a separate geolocation app. You need to be within the state of Tennessee to place a bet, but you do not need to be a resident of the state.

If you want to place a bet right when you sign up, have your preferred deposit method ready. And don’t forget to check for special promotions and bonuses.

Legal Online Sportsbooks In Tennessee Versus Illegal Online Sportsbooks

There are myriad reasons to steer clear from offshore/grey market sportsbooks. You may encounter them as you search for Tennessee’s legal online sports betting sites, so be careful about which sites you visit.

Offshore sites are only beholden to the laws of the country where they base their operations. As a result, they’re very risky and should be avoided. There are a few key signs to look out for.

Licensing And Government Oversight

The Tennessee Lottery oversees all legal, regulated sportsbooks in Tennessee. If you’re unsure whether a specific sportsbook site is sanctioned by the state, scroll to the bottom. Legitimate and licensed sites include licensing information clearly visible on its site or app, and many will have links to more information. If this info is missing or particularly hard to find, chances are you’re on an offshore site.

Limited Options For Bets And Deposits

As mentioned above, Tennessee requires sportsbooks to use official league data. Offshore and grey market sites don’t have access to this data, so they won’t offer live, in-play, or proposition betting.

The same goes for deposit methods. Grey market sportsbooks often only provide one or two ways to deposit, and they don’t protect your data as well as regulated sites do.

Customer Support

Licensed sportsbooks almost always have 24/7 support available to customers. Offshore sites have limited customer service options, which can obviously be frustrating if you encounter an issue.

Tennessee Online Sportsbook FAQ

21. Anyone 21 or older is able to place bets on Tennessee’s online sportsbooks.

Online sports betting sites request that new bettors confirm their identity and age using a government-issued form of identification or a Social Security Number.

Yes. Tennessee allows for online sports betting and DraftKings is one of three operators with a license to launch in the state. The DraftKings Tennessee app launched on November 1, 2020.

DraftKings is expected to be one of the major players on the Tennessee sports betting scene.

Yes. FanDuel is one of the few operators licensed to operate in Tennessee. It debuted to Tennessee sports bettors on November 1.

Online Gambling Sports Betting

Unlikely. Most sportsbooks in regulated markets require you to have funds in your account to place a wager. Other than its online-only sportsbook ecosystem, Tennessee isn’t steering far off the path of its regulated counterparts.

You will be able to deposit money using a credit card at the state’s sportsbooks.

Yes. College sports are incredibly popular in Tennessee, and bettors can wager on matches. This includes in-state schools, which many states restrict from sports betting sites.

The only restriction is live betting. Live, in-game betting isn’t allowed on college sports in the state.

Sports Gambling Betting Online Sportsbook

No. And you’d have trouble if you tried, considering the state has no casinos! You’ll be able to register fully online. Just have your personal information ready. This includes your name, email, address, phone number, SSN, and preferred deposit method.