- Casino Gambling: Not Legal
- Poker: Not Legal
- Horse Racing Betting: Legal
- Dog Racing Betting: Not Legal
- Lottery: Legal
- Daily Fantasy Sports: Legal
- Charitable Gaming: Legalwith lots of restrictions
- Social Gambling: Not Legal
- Online Gambling: Not Specified
Tennessee gambling law is near the top of the list of the toughest in the country. Legal betting in the Volunteer State is limited to a state-wide lottery, a handful of regional lotteries, a few horse tracks, and extremely-limited charitable gambling. Tennessee’s tough regulations don’t leave room for exceptions, even those that are common in other anti-gaming states. No exception is made for social or private games played in homes, offices, or other private spaces.
Tennessee borders Mississippi to the south, and that state’s plentiful casino gambling options, as well as more options further to the west in Missouri, account for the majority of Tennessee resident’s gambling. A study by a pro-gambling Tennessee lobbying group found that 10% of all Mississippi gambling income comes directly from Tennessee residents.
Nashville, TN 37210 Casino Depot 2416 Music Valley Dr, Nashville, TN 37214 Del Casino F Casey Attorney 511 Union St, Nashville, TN 37219 Feature Presentation 718 Thompson Ln Ste 108-130, Nashville, TN 37204 Gray Line Tours Nashville 1307 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37210. 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.
Casinos in or near Nashville, Tennessee, TN There are 10 Casinos in or near Nashville, Tennessee TN. 3rd & Lindsley Bar & Grill 3rd & Lindsley Bar & Grill is located in Nashville. Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time. Switch to the light mode that's kinder on your eyes at day time.
We’ve researched Tennessee gambling law thoroughly. This page is a complete guide to the state’s gaming regulations. We’ve included links to other resources for anyone who wants to dig a bit deeper.
Tennessee is not a gambling-friendly state. You can see the evidence of that in the gambling stats box below. Usually, you’ll see all sorts of interesting information about a state’s gaming industry in this box. That’s not the case with Tennessee, since most forms of gambling are either illegal or so regulated as to be not very popular. Still, before we dig into Tennessee gambling laws with more specificity, and talk about the statutes that outline the legal betting business in the state, we wanted to share this information to give you some context about what you’re reading.
- Age Requirements: 18
- Approximate Annual Gambling Revenue: n/a
- Approximate Annual Gambling Taxes: n/a
- Number of Commercial Casinos: 0
- Number of Racinos: 0
- Number of Tribal Casinos: 0
- Casino Regulatory Body: n/a
- Lottery National Rankings: 30th
So what forms of gambling are legal in Tennessee? Below, you’ll find all the data you need to assess the legal gambling business in the state, and to make an intelligent decision about gambling within Tennessee’s borders. Take note, we don’t want this to misunderstood as some form of legal advice or representation. We aren’t lawyers. We’re gamblers who’re obsessed with gaming law offering an opinion based on our reading of the statutes. If you have a legitimate concern about gaming in the state of Tennessee, consult a lawyer familiar with this market.
[toc]Tennessee is one of the more conservative states when it comes to gambling. There is a state lottery and daily fantasy sports (DFS), but no racetracks and no casinos.
That could change thanks to a new bill introduced by five Democratic state representatives.
New casino bill called HJR 0109
The bill is known as House Joint Resolution 109.
It is a relatively short bill with a singular action, which is to replace language in the law offering state lotteries with new language which would allow for casino and games of chance in the state.
Tennessee began offering a lottery in 2003.
For years, Tennessee has been surrounded by states offering casinos. Tunica, Mississippi and Harrah’s Cherokee are just a couple of the gaming venues a short drive from the Tennessee border.
The resolution does not propose a framework or offer locations where casinos might be located. It is not the only state with minimal gambling considering expansion this year.
Hawaiirecently introduced legislation to possibly offer online gambling. A state senator in New Hampshirerecently re-introduced his proposal to allow casinos in the state as well.
State passed DFS legislation last year
In April of last year, Tennessee became the third state to explicitly legalize and regulate DFS. The law was somewhat surprising given that the attorney general of Tennessee wrote an opinion on DFS stating he interpreted it to be illegal.
The regulations also stipulated for a relatively low six percent taxation and no substantial licensing fee.
Tennessee tourism is booming
Tennessee tourism is a growing industry. The state generated $18 billion in 2015. Thanks to that revenue, $1.6 billion of that money went to the state in the form of taxes.
Compared to 2014, the 2015 numbers saw overall revenue grow by five percent and tax revenue grow by five percent.
The state’s two major cities, Nashville and Memphis, are both considered national music destinations. Artists Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley each built their own cottage industries within the state.
Attractions like the Smokey Mountains also bring people to the state.
The tourism stats indicate Nashville is the biggest destination in the state in addition to the most populous area. The nearest casino to Nashville is actually two states away.
Those seeking gambling need to drive over two hours across Kentucky into Illinois to get to the relatively small Metropolis, IL casinos.
Memphis is located less than an hour from Tunica, MS. That casino destination has struggled in recent years. Harrah’s Casino closed its doors in June of 2014. The area currently has a 30 percent poverty rate.
Casinos are failing to draw in as much money as in previous years and the structure of the taxation revenue stream has beencriticized for not directing enough funds towards social programs in the area.
It is unclear if the state would locate the casinos in proximity to the major cities or locate them in an area with a larger tourism influence like Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg.
Is There Gambling In Nashville Tennessee
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