Tennessee Online Gambling Laws
For those wondering, “Is online gambling legal in Tennessee?” the answer is a resounding “no.” But, no worries. There are still ways you can bet on the Internet and not violate the state’s laws on online gambling.
One such law is Section 39-17-501, which explicitly states that all forms of betting that depend on the outcome of an event or by chance are outlawed in the state, both online and in person. This means there are no casinos in Tennessee despite its booming tourism industry.
In addition to Tennessee casinos being outlawed, there are also no live racetracks in the state, and no way to bet on live races in person. While these laws might appear strict compared to other states, it’s important to know that some changes are happening quite quickly that might be able to legalize online casino gambling someday.
For instance, bidding online with sports betting sites and placing wagers for non-profit charity events is perfectly legal. However, if you choose to bet with an unlicensed site, you’re committing a crime under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-502!
How Does Tennessee Regulate Gambling?
Tennessee is unique in that it’s one of the only states that doesn’t regulate casino gambling per se, but does regulate its sports betting sector quite rigorously. It’s the job of the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council to oversee all things related to online sports betting in the state.
One of the most important jobs of the Council is to ensure that people are betting on licensed and regulated sites. Regretfully, even though some websites may appear to be completely legitimate and safe, you cannot trust them if they have not been registered and regulated by the Council.
It’s best to check their website for the latest updates before placing a bet. While the Council can handle complaints, it cannot enforce laws for offshore sports betting sites. This means it does not have the power to help you earn your money back if it was taken from a shady site!
In addition, the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council also ensures that these licensed sites are operating fairly and with players in mind. They regulate daily fantasy sports to ensure compliance. If you play online casino games regularly and feel you might have a problem, they also provide resources to help people addicted to gambling.
Lastly, the Council ensures all taxes are reported to the public. Tax audits and report preparations are important pieces of work handled by the regulatory body.
