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Sub-national
North America

United States - Tennessee: gambling regulation and licensing

Part of United States

  • Online sports bettingRegulated
  • Daily fantasy sportsRegulated
  • Online casinoProhibited
  • Online pokerProhibited
  • Social casinoProhibited
  • Land-based (reference)Prohibited
  • Prediction marketsGrey market
Regulator
Tennessee Sports Wagering Council
Headline tax
Not yet verified
Licence required
Yes
Last verified
23 Sept 2026

Summary

Tennessee licenses online sports wagering and paid fantasy sports, and nothing else. There are no retail sportsbooks or betting kiosks, and the state constitution's lottery clause says in terms that it does not authorise casino games of chance. The Sports Wagering Council, an independent state body, has regulated sports wagering since 1 January 2022 and fantasy sports since 1 July 2023. On 23 September 2026 its register listed nine sportsbook operators and sixteen fantasy operators. An operator licence costs $750,000 for the first year, against which the non-refundable $50,000 application fee is credited; renewal is $750,000, or $375,000 for an operator with under $100 million of gross wagers in the prior year. The tax sets Tennessee apart: since 1 July 2023 it is a privilege tax of 1.85% of gross handle, not of revenue, and winnings paid and promotional bets cannot be deducted. Since 1 July 2025, 80% of it goes to a fund for building and maintaining public schools. The Council's monthly returns show $6.00 billion of gross handle and $111.0 million of tax in the year to June 2026, 7% more handle than the year before; it does not publish operator revenue. Online casino and poker are not authorised, and Public Chapter 1117 of 2026 declared online sweepstakes games and other online or app-based gambling unlawful. The Council has served cease-and-desist demands on 30 illegal operators and assessed $1.25 million in fines. The open question is prediction markets: a federal court barred state officials from enforcing the Act against Kalshi in February 2026, and the state's appeal was argued in the Sixth Circuit on 30 July 2026.

Common pitfalls

Modelling the tax as a share of revenue: Tennessee taxes gross handle at 1.85%, promotional bets included, so a low-hold month carries the full charge. Adding the $50,000 application fee to the $750,000 first-year fee: it is credited against it. Assuming pre-game player props are allowed on college games: all player propositions in collegiate events are banned, before and during the game. Hosting wagering servers out of state: they must be in Tennessee. Paying affiliates on revenue share without vendor registration.

Key facts

Regulator
Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWC)
Regulator type
Sub-national body
Headline tax
Not yet verified
Licence required
Yes
Minimum age
21+
Tax base
Sports wagering privilege tax of 1.85% of gross handle (Tenn. Code Ann. 4-49-104(b)). Gross handle is gross wagers, including promotional wagers, less cancelled and voided wagers and negative resettlements; the federal excise tax paid may also be deducted. Winnings paid, promotional wagers and promotional payouts may not be deducted (4-49-104(c); Rule 1350-01-.07(6)). Paid monthly on the prior month's handle by the fifth business day, on a cash basis. Fantasy sports operators instead pay a 6% privilege tax on adjusted revenues (entry fees less winnings, multiplied by the Tennessee resident percentage), filed quarterly with the Department of Revenue.

Licensing

Licence required
Yes
Application window
Not yet verified
Local establishment required
Not yet verified
Local server required
Yes
Active licences
9 (as of 23 Sept 2026)
Typical time to licence
The Council must approve or deny an operator or vendor application within 90 calendar days of declaring it complete; the clock resets if completeness is suspended pending further information (Rule 1350-01-.06(5)(c), (d)).
Bank guarantee or bond
A bond of at least $500,000, from an A-rated surety licensed in Tennessee and naming the Council as obligee, plus a reserve in cash, cash equivalents, letter of credit or bond covering player balances, pending wagers and unpaid winnings, calculated every business day and held at an FDIC or NCUA insured institution operating in Tennessee (Rule 1350-01-.07(1)). Cyber liability insurance of $5 million, or $10 million above 100,000 player accounts (Rule 1350-01-.07(2)).
Notable licensees
Caesars Sportsbook (American Wagering, Inc.), Bally Bet (Bally's Interactive, LLC), FanDuel Sportsbook (Betfair Interactive US LLC), BetMGM (BetMGM, LLC), DraftKings (Crown TN Gaming LLC), Fanatics Sportsbook (FBG Enterprises Opco, LLC), bet365 (Hillside (Tennessee) LLC), theScore Bet (Penn Sports Interactive, LLC), Hard Rock Bet (Seminole Hard Rock Digital, LLC)
Certification requirements
Annual audited financial statements for the Tennessee operation prepared by a CPA, before licensure and each renewal (Rule 1350-01-.07(3)); a Sports Gaming System operational assessment covering age and prohibited-participant controls (Rule 1350-01-.07(7), (8)); an integrity monitoring provider (Rule 1350-01-.03(10)).
Barriers to entry
Entry is by direct licence; there is no land-based partner to tether to. The costs are the $750,000 annual fee, the $500,000 bond and reserve, a Tennessee-located server and a tax charged on handle rather than revenue, which cannot be reduced by promotional spending.

Licence types

  • Sports Gaming Operator License

    Scope
    Online sports wagering offered directly to bettors located in Tennessee; no retail sportsbooks or kiosks.
    Term
    One year from the date of issue
    Application fee
    $50,000 as of 23 Sept 2026
    Annual fee
    $750,000 as of 23 Sept 2026
    Fee basis
    Non-refundable $50,000 application fee (Tenn. Code Ann. 4-49-117(b)(10)), credited against the $750,000 first-year licence fee on approval, so the total first-year cost is $750,000. The balance is due within ten days of approval (Rule 1350-01-.05(6), .06(9)(b)). Renewal fees: $750,000 for licensees with gross wagers of $100 million or more in the preceding twelve months, $375,000 below that (Rule 1350-01-.04(1)(b)). The statute lets the Council reset fees by rule no more than once every two years.
    Renewal terms
    Annual renewal; the $50,000 application fee is also due with each renewal application and is applied to the renewal fee (Rule 1350-01-.05(6)).
  • Sports Gaming Vendor Registration

    Scope
    Suppliers of geolocation, platform software, patron account management, risk management and odds-making, sports data, KYC and payment processing; independent testing laboratories; anyone paid a share of a licensee's revenue, including revenue-share marketing affiliates.
    Term
    Three years (Tenn. Code Ann. 4-49-133(b))
    Fee basis
    First three-year period $150,000 for every vendor type, in three $50,000 instalments. Renewal periods are tiered by service: $150,000 (geolocation, platform, account management), $75,000 (risk management, odds-making, data), $45,000 (testing laboratories), $30,000 (KYC, payments, direct patron interface, revenue share), each payable in three annual instalments (Rule 1350-01-.04(2)(g)). The Council must decide within 90 days of a completed application.
    Renewal terms
    Three-year renewal periods; fees are not refunded if an application is withdrawn after submission (Rule 1350-01-.05(7)).
  • Fantasy Sports Operator License

    Scope
    Paid fantasy sports contests under the Fantasy Sports Act.
    Term
    Expires on the last day of the twelfth month after issue (Rule 1350-05-.05(2))
    Application fee
    $300 as of 23 Sept 2026
    Fee basis
    Non-refundable $300 application or renewal fee, then an annual licence fee banded by adjusted revenue multiplied by the Tennessee resident percentage: $75,000 at $2 million or more, $50,000, $22,500, $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500 in the bands below, and $1,000 under $10,000 (Rule 1350-05-.03, .04, .05(3)).
    Renewal terms
    Annual renewal application with a $300 fee (Rule 1350-05-.04).

Taxation

Headline GGR tax
Not yet verified
Effective date
1 Jul 2023
Turnover tax
1.85%
Player winnings tax
Gambling winnings are fully taxable federal income, and losses are deductible only when itemising, up to the winnings reported (IRS Topic 419 as published at the accessed date). Tennessee has no tax on wages or winnings found in this review: its only individual income tax, the Hall tax on interest and dividends, was repealed for tax periods from 1 January 2021.
Withholding mechanism
Payers issue federal Form W-2G for reportable winnings (IRS Topic 419). No Tennessee withholding duty on sports wagering winnings was found.
Tax base
Sports wagering privilege tax of 1.85% of gross handle (Tenn. Code Ann. 4-49-104(b)). Gross handle is gross wagers, including promotional wagers, less cancelled and voided wagers and negative resettlements; the federal excise tax paid may also be deducted. Winnings paid, promotional wagers and promotional payouts may not be deducted (4-49-104(c); Rule 1350-01-.07(6)). Paid monthly on the prior month's handle by the fifth business day, on a cash basis. Fantasy sports operators instead pay a 6% privilege tax on adjusted revenues (entry fees less winnings, multiplied by the Tennessee resident percentage), filed quarterly with the Department of Revenue.

Earmarked levies

  • School building share of the sports wagering privilege tax: 80% (Disbursement account administered by the State Treasurer for construction and maintenance of public school buildings (from 1 July 2025; previously the lottery for education account). In any year net lottery proceeds fall short of education appropriations, the shortfall is taken from this share and paid to the lottery for education account (Tenn. Code Ann. 4-49-104(f)))
  • Local government share: 15% (Local governments per capita, for local infrastructure and emergency services projects)
  • Problem gambling share: 5% (Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, for problem gambling treatment and prevention grants and related mental health programmes)
  • Fantasy sports tax, fund share: 10% of fantasy sports tax (Fantasy sports fund (Tenn. Code Ann. 4-49-207))

Compliance

Minimum age
21+
KYC timing
Identity is verified before the account is established. If deposit, withdrawal or identity details cannot be verified, the operator must ask for more within ten calendar days and, failing that, suspend the account, retain winnings, refund deposits and deactivate it (Rule 1350-01-.08(6)). On suspicion of compromise, wagering is suspended and identity re-verified within three business days (Rule 1350-01-.08(16)).
AML regime
Each licensee submits its AML and regulatory compliance programme for Council approval, covering controls for payouts of $10,000 or more, detection of structured wagers within 24 hours and a log of wagers of $5,000 or more, and files a monthly report of any AML or regulatory non-compliance in any jurisdiction (Rule 1350-03-.08). Suspicious wagering, including activity reported to the federal government under AML law, must be reported to the Council immediately (Rule 1350-01-.07(10)(h)).
AML supervisor
Sports Wagering Council (approval of licensee AML programmes), alongside federal AML reporting
Deposit limits
Licensees must let bettors restrict the amounts they wager and the time they spend, and must enforce any responsible gaming limit a player sets for the period requested (Tenn. Code Ann. 4-49-119(a); Rule 1350-01-.06(8)(h)). Fantasy operators may not let a new player deposit more than $2,500 a month unless the player qualifies for an increase by income over $150,000 ($300,000 jointly) or net worth over $500,000 (Rule 1350-05-.07).
Session limits
Account cool-off periods on request, and updates during play on time and money spent and cash balances (Rule 1350-01-.06(8)(g), (m)).
Source of funds thresholds
Controls for payouts of $10,000 or more and a log of wagers of $5,000 or more (Rule 1350-03-.08); daily system reports of wagers over $10,000 on request (Rule 1350-03).
Central monitoring system
Licensees must use an integrity monitoring provider and, on request, share account-level wager data with the Council in real time (Rule 1350-01-.03(10), .07(10)(j)). The statute lets the Council procure a central accounting and reporting system that all licensees must use (Tenn. Code Ann. 4-49-104(d)); whether one is in operation was not established.
Data localisation
Servers used to accept or pay out wagers placed from Tennessee must be located in Tennessee (Tenn. Code Ann. 4-51-325(h) as enacted in 2019, since recodified in Title 4, Chapter 49; Rule 1350-01-.03(5)). Geolocation is mandatory.
KYC requirements
Before an account is opened the operator must record legal first and last name, date of birth, Social Security number (or its last four digits if sufficient, or a passport or taxpayer number for a foreign player), residential address other than a PO box, phone number and email, with name, date of birth and SSN matched exactly against its KYC vendor's data, and authenticate the person by knowledge-based questions, phone verification (failing if the number or device is linked to prior fraud), government ID, biometric ID or another approved method; manual document review is the fallback (Rule 1350-01-.08(3)). One account per player per licensee; multi-factor authentication to recover an account after three failed log-ins (Rule 1350-01-.08(8), (19)). Records kept five years.
Stake limits
Players may limit the amounts they wager (Tenn. Code Ann. 4-49-119(a)). Since 30 June 2025 House Rules must state that operators may limit the wagers offered or amounts accepted if the limits are disclosed before the wager is placed.
Mandatory player messaging
A clear and conspicuous statement that it is unlawful for anyone under 21 to engage in sports gaming in Tennessee, and a Council-approved problem gambling helpline on websites, apps and advertising (Rule 1350-01-.06(8)(i), (n)); players must be able to see their betting history, net wins and losses and limits history (Rule 1350-01-.06(8)(l)).
Reporting obligations
Monthly privilege tax transfer and report of gross wagers, deductions and gross handle by the fifth business day (Rule 1350-01-.07(6)(f)), from which the Council publishes monthly handle and tax; weekly transmission of the licensee-specific self-exclusion list and a monthly self-exclusion report (Rule 1350-01-.07(12)); key personnel and 5% ownership changes within three business days (Rule 1350-01-.07(13)); immediate reports of criminal or disciplinary proceedings, suspicious wagering, integrity breaches and proxy betting (Rule 1350-01-.07(10)(h)); advertising copies within five business days of publication (Rule 1350-01-.07(11)(a)); annual audited financial statements; records kept five years.
Game content restrictions
Wagers only on events approved by the Council, with 72 hours' notice for new events. No wagers on injuries or penalties, on high school or youth sports, or on events other than sporting events. In collegiate events, no pre-game or in-game bets on an individual player and no in-game team proposition bets; pre-game team propositions are allowed (Tenn. Code Ann. 4-49-114; Rules 1350-01-.03(8), (9), .09(2); memorandum of 30 June 2025).

Minimum age by vertical

  • Online sports betting: 21+
  • Daily fantasy sports: 18+

Advertising

Advertising permitted
Yes
Affiliate rules
Marketing affiliates paid by revenue share are vendors and must register with the Council; affiliates paid by any other method are excluded from the vendor definition (Tenn. Code Ann. 4-49-102, as amended by 2023 Pub. Ch. 450). The renewal tier for revenue-share vendors is $30,000 over three years. Vendors advertising for more than one licensee, or for none, must file their material with the Council within five business days (Rule 1350-01-.07(11)(a)).
Celebrity and influencer rules
No celebrity or entertainer endorsements designed to appeal specifically to people under 21 (Rule 1350-01-.07(11)(f)), compliance with the FTC endorsement guides, and disclosure to the Council of compensation paid to athletes eligible to compete in events offered for wagering (Rule 1350-01-.07(11)(h)).
Social media rules
Individual social media posts where space is severely limited need not carry the helpline logo and number, but social media pages and direct messages must (Rule 1350-01-.07(11)(c)2).
Mandatory warnings
A responsible gaming message with a Council-approved helpline and an assistance and prevention message; approved numbers are the Tennessee REDLINE (1-800-889-9789), 1-800-GAMBLER and 1-800-MY-RESET (list revised 5 May 2026). The legal age, 21, must be stated on websites, apps and all advertising (Rule 1350-01-.07(11)(c), (d)).
Penalties for breach
Breach may be grounds for disciplinary action (Rule 1350-01-.07(11)(n)): suspension, revocation or non-renewal and a fine of up to $25,000 per violation (Tenn. Code Ann. 4-49-126(b)). Advertising to minors in breach of 4-49-118 is a Class B misdemeanour for a first offence and Class A thereafter.

Restrictions

  • Licensees may not directly advertise or promote sports wagering to minors (Tenn. Code Ann. 4-49-118(a)(3); Rule 1350-01-.07(11)(b)).
  • No images, symbols, celebrity or entertainer endorsements or language designed to appeal specifically to people under 21, and no one who is or appears to be under 21 unless a participant in a sporting event that can be wagered on (Rule 1350-01-.07(11)(f), (g)).
  • No advertising in media outlets that appeal primarily to people under 21, or before audiences presumed mostly under 21 or that target vulnerable persons, including self-excluded individuals (Rule 1350-01-.07(11)(i), (j)).
  • No direct mail, messaging, text or email marketing to self-excluded individuals; email and text marketing must offer an unsubscribe option (Rule 1350-01-.07(11)(k), (l)).
  • Advertising must comply with the FTC Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials (16 CFR 255) (Rule 1350-01-.07(11)(e)).
  • Copies of all advertising, marketing and promotional material, including material produced by vendors, must be filed with the Council within five business days of publication; optional advance review needs 48 hours (Rule 1350-01-.07(11)(a)).
  • Licensees must report compensation paid to any individual eligible to take part in sporting events that can be wagered on: name, amount and form, and a description of the service (Rule 1350-01-.07(11)(h)).
  • Since 30 June 2025 an operator's risk management function must be supervised separately from its marketing team.

Payments

Credit card ban
Yes
Crypto stance
Prohibited
Permitted methods
Debit cards, Electronic bank transfers, including through third parties, Online and mobile payment systems, Winnings or payouts, Other methods approved by the Council that are initiated with cash
Withdrawal timeframe rules
Withdrawals must be completed within five business days unless House Rules state another time, a dispute is pending or suspicious activity is under investigation; funds may be held until deposits clear or the chargeback period ends (Rule 1350-01-.08(11)). Closed-account balances are refunded within five business days (Rule 1350-01-.08(17)). Withdrawals to a debit card require the card to have been registered for 48 hours; transfers between players are banned (Rule 1350-01-.08(10), (13)).

Enforcement

ISP blocking
Not yet verified
DNS blocking
Not yet verified
Payment blocking
Not yet verified
App store takedowns
Not yet verified
Administrative penalties
Licensees and registrants: suspension, revocation or non-renewal and a fine of up to $25,000 per violation (Tenn. Code Ann. 4-49-126(b), as amended by 2023 Pub. Ch. 450). Unlicensed acceptance of wagers: $10,000 for a first offence, $15,000 for a second and $25,000 for each later one, each wager accepted counting as an occurrence (4-49-127(b)(2)). Civil penalties, set in 2019 at up to $5,000 per violation and $50,000 per transaction, recoverable by the Attorney General, who may also seek injunctions (4-49-129). Online sweepstakes and online gambling: remedies under the Consumer Protection Act of 1977 (47-18-5903). As enacted, appeals from final Council actions go to the Davidson County Chancery Court.
Criminal penalties
A licensee that allows a minor to wager, extends credit, advertises to minors, takes bets on non-sporting or high school events or accepts bets from registered ineligible persons commits a Class B misdemeanour for a first offence and a Class A misdemeanour thereafter (4-49-118(b)). Wagering by an ineligible person is a Class C, then B, then A misdemeanour (4-49-112(d)). Using or passing material non-public information for wagering was made a Class A misdemeanour in 2019. Gambling promotion is a misdemeanour and aggravated gambling promotion a felony (Tenn. Code Ann. 39-17-503, 504, as cited by the district court).
Operator liability
Unlicensed operators receive cease-and-desist demands and then fines; businesses in Tennessee working with unlicensed sportsbooks could face civil or criminal penalties, according to the Council. Since 2026 the Council's Fantasy Sports Act powers extend to persons other than licensees, and the Attorney General can pursue anyone who supports or facilitates online sweepstakes games (47-18-5902(b)(5)).
Player liability
The Council states that placing a bet with an unlicensed sportsbook while in Tennessee is a crime under Tenn. Code Ann. 39-17-502, and that proxy betting for an ineligible person is illegal. The penalty class was not verified from the statute text.

Notable actions

  • ThunderPick.io and HeritageSports.eu; VoltageBet.com9 Sept 2026

    Fines totalling $100,000 on ThunderPick and Heritage Sports after cease-and-desist demands of 11 August 2026; Anjouan-based VoltageBet stopped serving Tennessee on 4 September. Council totals: 30 illegal entities served with cease-and-desist demands, $1,250,000 in fines, nine operators withdrawn.

    Fine: $100,000 as of 9 Sept 2026

  • KalshiEX LLC9 Jan 2026

    Cease-and-desist letter demanding Kalshi stop offering sports event contracts in Tennessee, void them and refund deposits. Enforcement was preliminarily enjoined on 19 February 2026; the state's Sixth Circuit appeal was argued on 30 July 2026.

  • BetDSI and BetNow10 Dec 2025

    Fined $50,000 each; the Council said it had then served 24 illegal entities and assessed $800,000 in fines.

    Fine: $100,000 as of 10 Dec 2025

  • BetWhale.ag, Kickr and ReBet23 Oct 2025

    All three stopped serving Tennessee after cease-and-desist letters; BetWhale had been fined $50,000. Kickr offered sports picks as social gaming and ReBet a social sportsbook sweepstakes.

    Fine: $50,000 as of 23 Oct 2025

  • BetAnySports, Bookmaker, JazzSports (Costa Rica), BetOnline (Panama), Everygame (Curacao)15 Jul 2025

    Fined $50,000 each for accepting wagers in Tennessee without a licence.

    Fine: $250,000 as of 15 Jul 2025

  • Bovada.lv22 Oct 2024

    Fined $50,000 as an unlicensed sportsbook (announced 23 October 2024); the Council announced on 7 November 2024 that Bovada was no longer open for business in Tennessee.

    Fine: $50,000 as of 22 Oct 2024

Market data

Figures on this record are drawn from official regulator data.

Online GGR
Not yet verified
Reporting year
2026
Licensed operators
9

Timeline

  1. 24 May 2019

    Governor Bill Lee lets House Bill 1, the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act, become law without his signature; it takes full effect on 1 July 2019

  2. 1 Nov 2020

    First operator licences issued, to FanDuel, BetMGM and DraftKings

  3. 1 Jan 2022

    Sports Wagering Council takes over regulation from the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation under Public Chapter 593

  4. 1 Jul 2023

    Privilege tax changes to 1.85% of gross handle (Public Chapter 450); fantasy sports regulation moves to the Council (Public Chapter 143)

  5. 22 Oct 2024

    Council fines offshore sportsbook Bovada $50,000; by 7 November 2024 it has stopped serving Tennessee

  6. 30 Jun 2025

    Revised Council rules take effect, adding multi-factor authentication and tighter KYC and collegiate proposition bet rules

  7. 1 Jul 2025

    80% of the privilege tax redirected to a fund for public school buildings under the Education Freedom Act

  8. 15 Jul 2025

    Five offshore sportsbooks fined $250,000 in total

  9. 9 Jan 2026

    Council sends Kalshi a cease-and-desist letter; Kalshi sues in federal court the same day

  10. 19 Feb 2026

    Middle District of Tennessee grants Kalshi a preliminary injunction against state officials

  11. 23 Apr 2026

    Senate Bill 2136 (Public Chapter 1117) passes, banning online sweepstakes games and other online or app-based gambling

  12. 26 May 2026

    Attorney General announces the state's Sixth Circuit opening brief in the Kalshi appeal

  13. 30 Jun 2026

    Year to June 2026 closes with $6.00 billion of gross handle and $111.0 million of privilege tax assessed on the Council's monthly reports

  14. 30 Jul 2026

    Sixth Circuit hears oral argument in the Tennessee and Ohio Kalshi appeals

  15. 9 Sept 2026

    VoltageBet leaves Tennessee and two more offshore books are fined; Council fines total $1.25 million

Outlook

The Sixth Circuit's decision in the Kalshi appeal, argued on 30 July 2026 together with the Ohio case, will decide whether Tennessee's licence requirement and handle tax can be applied to sports event contracts on a CFTC-registered exchange; until it rules, the preliminary injunction keeps the state from enforcing against Kalshi. Enforcement against offshore sportsbooks continues at a pace of several cease-and-desist demands and fines a quarter, and the Attorney General now has Consumer Protection Act powers against online sweepstakes and other online gambling under Public Chapter 1117. The Council may reset licence fees by rule no more than once every two years. No bill to authorise online casino or change the 1.85% handle tax was found in this review.

Frequently asked questions

Who regulates sports betting in Tennessee?
The Sports Wagering Council, an independent state body that took over from the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation on 1 January 2022. It has also regulated paid fantasy sports since 1 July 2023.
Is online casino legal in Tennessee?
No. Only online sports wagering and fantasy sports are licensed. Public Chapter 1117 of 2026 declared online sweepstakes games and other online or app-based gambling unlawful, and the constitution's lottery clause does not authorise casino games.
What does a Tennessee sports betting licence cost?
A non-refundable $50,000 application fee, credited against a $750,000 first-year licence fee. Renewal is $750,000 for operators with $100 million or more of gross wagers in the prior twelve months and $375,000 below that. Operators also need a bond of at least $500,000.
How is sports betting taxed in Tennessee?
A privilege tax of 1.85% of gross handle, in force since 1 July 2023. Handle is gross wagers, promotional wagers included, less cancelled or voided bets and federal excise tax; winnings paid cannot be deducted. Since 1 July 2025, 80% of the tax funds public school buildings.
Can operators offer college player props?
No. All pre-game and in-game bets on an individual player in a collegiate event are prohibited, as are in-game team propositions. Pre-game team propositions are allowed.
How big is the Tennessee market?
The Council's monthly reports show $6.00 billion of gross handle and $111.0 million of privilege tax assessed in the year to June 2026, up 7% in handle on the year before, across nine licensed operators. The Council does not publish operator revenue.

iGT coverage of United States - Tennessee

Cftc sues new york as federal war on state prediction market crackdowns escalates
Prediction Markets

CFTC Sends the White House Rules to Define Event Contracts as Swaps and Exclude Casino Games

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has asked the White House to clear a rule defining event contracts as swaps, the classification on which its claim to exclusive jurisdiction rests, and a second that would exclude "casino-style gambling products" with immediate effect. Neither text is public, and both arrive days after a second federal appeals court rejected the swaps argument.

Trading candlestick chart order book
Prediction Markets

Kalshi Files a Deposit and Trading Rewards Programme Worth Up to $5,000 a Customer

The two-year programme lets Kalshi match deposits and trading with bonus credits, target them by account age, inactivity and location, and confine them to sports contracts. It went to the CFTC as the exchange certified contracts on Premier League sanctions against Manchester City, days after reports of a verdict against the club.

Ninth Circuit Rules Kalshi's Sports Contracts Are Not Swaps in 3-0 Nevada Win
Prediction Markets

Sixth Circuit Rules 3-0 That Ohio and Tennessee Can Enforce Gambling Law Against Kalshi

A unanimous panel has held that Kalshi's sports contracts are not swaps, and that federal commodities law would not shield them from state gambling law even if they were. It is the second federal appeals court in a month to side with the states, leaving Kalshi with one win in three circuits as the Supreme Court weighs whether to take the question.

Sources

  1. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  2. Sports Wagering Council FAQs

    Tennessee Sports Wagering Council

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  3. About the Sports Wagering Council

    Tennessee Sports Wagering Council

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  4. Sports Gaming Operator License and Renewal Fees

    Tennessee Sports Wagering Council

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  5. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  6. Player Complaint

    Tennessee Sports Wagering Council

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  7. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 5 May 2026
  8. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 30 Jun 2025
  9. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 8 Apr 2025
  10. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 15 Jul 2025
  11. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 23 Oct 2025
  12. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 10 Dec 2025
  13. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 11 Aug 2026
  14. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  15. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 30 Jun 2025
  16. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 30 Jun 2025
  17. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 30 Jun 2025
  18. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 14 Dec 2023
  19. Constitution of the State of Tennessee, Article XI, Section 5 (lotteries)

    Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Publications

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  20. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 26 May 2026
  21. Fantasy Sports Tax

    Tennessee Department of Revenue

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  22. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  23. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 11 Jun 2026
  24. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 19 Feb 2026

Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.

This page is industry reference information and not legal advice.

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