Tennessee Gambling & Gaming Laws (2026)
A comprehensive legal reference for gambling & gaming in the state of Tennessee. This guide covers current statutes, penalties, and restrictions for 6 different categories.
Daily Fantasy Sports
RESTRICTEDDaily Fantasy Sports are legal in Tennessee with regulatory requirements. Tennessee legalized daily fantasy sports in 2016.
DFS Rules
Legal with operator licensing
Licensed Operators
Licensed operators only
Penalties
Unlicensed operators face penalties.
Minimum Age
18-21 depending on state
Gambling Age
RESTRICTEDThe minimum gambling age in Tennessee is 21 for casino gambling and sports betting. State law sets the minimum gambling age at 21 for casino gambling.
Casino Minimum Age
21+ for casinos/sports betting; 18+ for lottery
Lottery/Other Gambling Age
Legal
Penalties
Underage gambling is a misdemeanor; venues face license revocation.
Minimum Gambling Age
18-21 depending on type
Online Casinos & Poker
RESTRICTEDTennessee has legalized online sports betting but does not authorize online casino gambling or online poker. The Tennessee Sports Gaming Act (T.C.A. § 4-51-101 et seq.) regulates online sports wagering only. Online casino games and poker remain illegal.
Online Casino Rules
Possession of online casino or poker software is prohibited unless licensed under sports betting regulations.
Licensed Platforms
Sale or operation of online casino or poker platforms is illegal; only licensed sports betting operators allowed.
Penalties
Class A misdemeanor for unauthorized gambling operations (T.C.A. § 39-17-501).
Minimum Age
21+ for all legal gambling activities.
Tennessee legalized online sports betting in 2019 under the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act (T.C.A. § 4-51-101 et seq.). The state permits online/mobile sports betting only, with no retail sportsbooks. Online casino gambling remains illegal.
Online Gambling Rules
Possession of online sports betting apps is legal for users within Tennessee.
Licensed Operators
Only licensed operators approved by the Tennessee Education Lottery can offer online sports betting.
Penalties
Unlicensed sports betting operators face criminal penalties including fines and license revocation.
Minimum Age
21 years old.
Poker Home Games
LEGALSocial poker home games are legal in Tennessee as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant changes have been made to Tennessee's strict gambling laws.
Home Game Rules
Legal for social games without a rake
Rake/House Cut Rules
N/A
Penalties
Taking a rake converts it to illegal gambling.
Age Requirements
Varies, typically 18+
Sports Betting
LEGALSports betting is legal in Tennessee. The regulatory body was changed in 2022.
In-Person Betting
Legal for 21+. Tennessee launched sports betting in November 2020 under the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act. Online/mobile only — Tennessee is the only state that launched with mobile betting and no retail sportsbooks. Major operators include FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and others. Unique tax structure based on handle rather than revenue.
Online/Mobile Betting
Online/mobile only — no retail sportsbooks. Available statewide through licensed apps. Operator tax rate: 20% of handle (not revenue), with a minimum 10% hold requirement.
Penalties
Unlicensed gambling operations face criminal charges under TCA § 39-17-502. Individual bettors using licensed platforms face no penalties.
Minimum Betting Age
21+