Gambling in Tennessee: What's Legal and What's Not in 2024
Gambling in Tennessee is heavily restricted, with most forms being illegal. Currently, the state only allows specific types of gambling activities, and I'll break down exactly what's permitted and what's not.
The Tennessee Education Lottery is fully legal and represents the main form of gambling in the state. This includes various lottery games and scratch-off tickets available at authorized retailers throughout Tennessee.
Sports betting became legal in Tennessee in November 2020, but with a unique twist - it's online-only. Tennessee is the first state to implement a digital-only sports betting platform, meaning there are no physical sportsbook locations. You can place bets through licensed mobile apps while physically present in the state.
What's not allowed in Tennessee:
Casino gambling Physical poker rooms Slot machines Table games Commercial gambling establishments Video lottery terminals
The state does permit certain charitable gaming events, but these are limited to annual events by qualified organizations. These typically include raffles, reverse raffles, and cakewalks organized by registered non-profit organizations.
Horse racing and pari-mutuel betting remain illegal in Tennessee, unlike some neighboring states. There are no racetracks or off-track betting facilities in the state.
For those seeking casino-style gambling, the nearest options are in neighboring states:
Tunica, Mississippi (popular among Memphis residents) Cherokee, North Carolina (Eastern Tennessee's closest option) Southern Indiana (accessible to northern Tennessee residents)
The penalties for illegal gambling in Tennessee can be serious. Operating an illegal gambling business is a Class E felony, while simple gambling is a Class C misdemeanor.
If you're looking to gamble legally in Tennessee, your options are:
Tennessee Lottery games Licensed online sports betting Approved charitable gaming events
Remember that all forms of online casino gambling remain illegal in Tennessee, even if the websites are based offshore. The only legal online gambling activity is sports betting through state-licensed operators.