Tennessee is one of just a handful of states without legal casino gambling. Adding to the long commute Music City residents face when wanting to hit the slots or tables is the fact another one of those casino-free states is their northern neighbor, Kentucky. As such, Nashville’s closest casino is found in the tiny town of Metropolis, Illinois. TN as a state does not have casino's the closest casino to Nashville inHarrah;s in metrolpolis, il and casino Aztar in evansville, in. Tunica which is a larger gaming area is about 4 1/2 hrs form us. There is a company called the casino depot that takes the 2 1/2 hr trip to Metropolis and Evansville and get this its only $5 per person roundtrip.

For the state of Tennessee online gambling is a concept so inappropriate and against which they hold such a hostile stance, that the mere mention of the idea might get you frowned upon. The notion of Tennessee online casinos is completely unreasonable, given the fact that we can’t find even the more classical land-based casinos in Tennessee. It’s a widely known fact that the Tennessee gambling laws are among the strictest piece of regulation on the matter in the whole American internet gambling regulations. There are many exclusions and banned activities, with only a handful of legal options which we gathered on our list.

Online Casinos Accepting Tennessee Players

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Tennessee Gambling Situation

The regulations on gambling in Tennessee take many forms, going from a simple misdemeanour in case of regular gambling, all the way to activities considered felonies, as is the case with the so-called “aggravated gambling promotion”. In the past, there have been many raids by the local authorities finalized with arrests, but all were centred on the illegal owning and usage of devices for gambling games.

The standing against these facts starts with the inexistence of any TN casinos. And the fact that there are no Native American reservations between this state’s borders accounts in a great deal for the lack of Indian casinos near Nashville TN, for instance. However strict this ban is though, it has been made widely ineffective on account of the existence of a high number of casinos near Tennessee. Players wanting to try on their luck can easily go play at the Memphis area casinos, for example. There are more than one casinos in driving distance from Center-Memphis, the closest venue being at no more than a 10 minutes-drive, in Arkansas.

The war against gambling spreads beyond Tennessee casinos, aiming other possible ventures, such as the banning of horse tracks in Tennessee, the most popular charitable game, bingo, is also forbidden, while talking about online games for real money, is simply too much.

On the other extreme, of things allowed, the TN state joins the interstate lottery, after reluctantly approving a local version, late in 2003. Also, although it doesn’t grant race tracks licenses, it allows simulcasting and off-track betting in more than 20 locations across the state. For these regulated activities, the Tennessee gambling age is set for a minimum of 18 years old, which is a surprise considering all the other restrictions in place.

Online Gambling Tennessee

No one can consider the prospect of Tennessee online casinos more than stretched-out hopeful thinking from an incurable optimist. Probably one of the greatest surprises would be the regulation of online gambling, considering that there aren’t casinos in Tennessee, perhaps these being the first step towards a healthy betting market.

Taking into account all the restrictions and regulations against it, there aren’t many options for willing gamblers. Operators tend to keep away from these sorts of complicated situations. However, there are some off-shore software providers, mainly RTG casinos for real money, which have the legal base to offer such services to TN residents. Carefully check out the list of advised websites for a stress-free interaction. Playing on these sites, while respecting the Tennessee gambling age, is completely legal and holds no risk of stepping on the illicit side of things. That’s why Bovada is legal in Tennessee and you can enjoy it too. There is, however, the downside that for transferring money in and out of these sites, not all options are available. The fastest and safest means for depositing are the money orders through MoneyGram or Western Union, while withdrawals are best served by wire transfers or bank checks. They take longer, but are sure to arrive, while withholding all the requirements for security.

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Lottery

While the Tennessee casinos list holds no more than zero venues on it, the money-filled market had to find some other ways to satisfy its needs. Later than most US states, all the way in 2003, lawmakers gave their OK for a state lottery and afterwards went in the interstate agreements known as Powerball or Multi-Millions.

Off-track Betting and Simulcasting

The oddity of the state’s regulations are clearly shown in the fact that in Tennessee horse racing is forbidden, but betting on it is not. Also, many locations for off-track betting in Nashville TN, seeing how this city is merely an hour drive away from one of Kentucky’s prime races, the Kentucky Downs in Franklin KY.

Charitable

Given the fact that there are no casinos in TN, one would expect that at least the popular charitable game of bingo to fill in the gap. Seeing how this is not the case, the only accepted charitable games are some once a year raffles, which a small number of non-profit organizations are allowed to hold. Also, those known as “cakewalks”, more of a kid’s game than actual gambling.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Probably the biggest surprise yet for those gambling in TN was the passing of the 2016 bill which legalizes daily fantasy sports. Surely, they are limited to no more than 2500 USD per player, but even so, it would seem that online gambling Tennessee has a legal representative, bringing along the hope for more action in this field.

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Is gambling a legal option in TN?

Yes, but in a very restrictive manner. There are no gambling casinos in Tennessee, with no bingo halls, as well as no Tennessee horse racing allowed. Seeing how the Tennessee casinos locations are inexistent, the focus shifted towards other forms of gambling, such as off-track betting, daily fantasy sports or the classical lottery. Also, online isn’t a key player in this state’s market.

Are there any casinos in Tennessee?

No, there are no TN casinos. The fact that there are also no Indian reservations to apply the federal law that protects them for this kind of venture was surely the main cause for this. Also, given that there are numerous casinos near Tennessee and with the Tennessee casinos list having a big zero on it, premises for the development of online gambling market were already in place. But no significant move has been made in this direction, up to now, meaning no intense online activity to follow.

Is there any casino in Tennessee Chattanooga?

There is no casino near Chattanooga TN, but there are many options of casinos close to Tennessee, in neighbouring states, all within 150 miles away. The best-located city under these circumstances is Memphis TN, casinos being within a 10 to 50 minutes-drive, Arkansas or Mississippi based. Online betting remains a viable option if it happens on off-shore websites.

How about the Tennessee online gambling stage? Is it ok to bet online in TN?

The strict Tennessee gambling laws don’t accept the existence of any state-based online casinos in Tennessee. It’s not a surprise seeing how they don’t accept land-based Tennessee casinos, as well. The only option remains that of the websites licensed off-shore, where online wagering is the sole legal alternative.

What is the accepted age for placing bets in TN?

Are there any significant changes regarding gambling in Nashville TN in the near future?

Actually, the discussion about gambling in Tennessee should start with the main question: are there casinos in Tennessee? Seeing how that is a clear no, the occurrence of Nashville Tennessee casinos would be the first and most awaited step. But that is still a far-away wish, no debate going in this direction. Unfortunately, for willing gamblers there are only two options: without any casinos in TN, closest to Nashville would be those in Mississippi, or go online for the off-shore based virtual casinos. The changes only happen in the sports betting industry at the end of April 2019.

In many ways, Tennessee is the state with the most Southern ethos in the US. It’s the home of country music, the birthplace of Elvis Presley, and home to its own style of barbecue. Fittingly, with regard to gambling, Tennessee embodies the ingrained conservatism of the region. Tennessee has no casinos of any sort inside its borders.

So, it came as a bit of a surprise when the Volunteer State moved forward with a bill to legalize sports betting in May 2019. Tennessee is now the first state with sports betting as an online-only enterprise.

Sports betting launched in early November 2020. Three sportsbooks – DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM went live as the first gambling sites in TN.

Tennesseans can also play daily fantasy sports and the lottery, if they choose. Although the selection of gambling games in the state remains limited, things are definitely looking up for games of chance in Tennessee.

Tennessee sports betting sites

Is There Casino In Nashville Tn

DFS and sports betting in Tennessee

Another option for gambling is due to Tennessee’s legalization of daily fantasy sports betting in 2016. In doing so, Tennessee became the third state to conclude that DFS is legal in Tennessee and exempt from its gambling laws. The legalization occurred over the objections of State Attorney General Herbert Slatery. This made it an unusual move, because state governments are rarely at odds with their own law enforcement officials. So, Tennesseans are able to access sites like FanDuel or DraftKings in peace.

A few years later, on May 24, 2019, Tennessee legalized sports betting, but with one big caveat. As Tennessee does not have any land-based casinos, the bill approves online sports betting only — and it’s the first state to have this kind of law. The first bets rolled on Nov. 1 with bettors unable to place them at any kind of land-based or retail sportsbook – just via online or mobile devices only.

Otherwise, pickings are pretty slim in the Volunteer State. There actually was a law on the books for almost 30 years that allowed horse racing venues to be built in the state. Unfortunately, the combination of financial trouble and legal hassles (despite the law, individual counties maintained a modicum of control over their own territories with regard to gambling) prevented any company from actually breaking ground on a track in Tennessee. The law itself was finally repealed in 2015.

Finally, a law to legalize casino gambling in Tennessee was proposed in February 2017 by State Rep.Larry Miller, a Democrat representing the Memphis area. It took less than a month for the bill to die in committee. So, at this time, no further legalization is likely in Tennessee.

Recent Tennessee legal gambling news

Online gambling in Tennessee

Tennessee has some of the broadest laws regarding gambling in the US. The language of its law banning gambling extends to “risking anything of value for a profit whose return is to any degree contingent on chance, not including lawful business transactions.” This is striking because the language is so broad, it has to include an exception for the risk inherent in normal business activities.

Along with having options for DFS, Tennesseans are able to bet sports through online sportsbook apps in the state.

As such, even though there is no specific prohibition against online gambling in Tennessee, the overall prohibition could easily be applied to online activities. Given the specified penalties for gambling in the state (which details fines, jail time, confiscation of any associated equipment, and confiscation of any monies used to gamble), players of online gambling games like video poker and online slots could potentially find police in their homes and have their computers and online bankrolls removed from their possession permanently. As for online, the attention of the police continues to be focused on live poker and other gambling right now.

Fantasy sports in Tennessee

The only exception (as mentioned above) is daily fantasy sports betting. The Fantasy Sports Act of 2016 provides a framework for the licensure of operators within Tennessee. As such, residents can engage in this very limited form of gaming without fear of prosecution. Below are some of the options for DFS in Tennessee – please note that FanDuel and DraftKings are by far the industry leaders and most reliable sites.

Is There Any Gambling In Nashville Tn

Social casino options

Tennessee residents are able to play any of the standard social casino options available across the country. Double Down Casino, Slotomania, BigFish, and Zynga are all playable options through Facebook or mobile devices.

However, people in Tennessee need to be very careful about the games they are playing because of the breadth of Tennessee’s law. Any kind of giveaway, promotion, or compensation acquired via one of these (or other sites, like MyVegas) might put players in violation of the law. So far, there are no reports of people having legal troubles because of their involvement in social casino play, but please exercise caution if you are playing social casino games in Tennessee.

State casino operator history

Tennessee’s lack of in-state casinos is problematic for residents who would like to play their favorite games of chance. However, there are some options in neighboring states that can help soothe these feelings. The most notable option is the collection of casinos just across the border from Memphis in Tunica, Mississippi.

Tunica is one of Mississippi’s two major gambling centers (the other being Biloxi). It is home to eight casinos as sizable and luxurious as any found in Las Vegas.

Harrah’s, Hollywood, Sam’s Town, and Gold Strike all have Tunica locations with every table game one would imagine in casinos of this size. For Memphis residents, these casinos are a mere 43 miles away. They are the best option for Tennesseans in the southwestern part of the state.

Otherwise, Tennesseans have few other options. Residents in the northwestern part of the state can try the Lady Luck Casino Caruthersville in Missouri, which is a small riverboat on the Mississippi River.

Nashville residents can make a just-over-two-hour drive northwest to the Harrah’s Metropolis in Illinois. Finally, Tennesseans in the eastern and southeastern parts of the state can most easily access the two Harrah’s Cherokee properties in North Carolina.

Land-based casinos

Are There Gambling Casinos In Nashville Tn

State legal environment

Is There Gambling In Nashville Tn