Tennessee is a welcoming and flexible state regarding sports betting, charitable gaming, and lotteries. However, state laws do not allow online casinos that facilitate real-money play, and there aren’t any land-based casinos that serve as an in-person alternative, either.
There’s a growing trend of Tennessee players turning to sweepstakes casinos, which aren’t subject to the regulations banning traditional real-money casinos. You can still enjoy a range of casino games online from anywhere in the state.
Through our expert-driven breakdown, you will learn about what online casinos are available in Tennessee and how you can sign up for various sites and win cash prizes.
Just like online casinos anywhere in the US, operators in Tennessee aren’t all of equal stature. Some are decent, and others are poor. Yet, a select few rise from the pack and guarantee an exceptional gaming experience. Our team regularly tests sweepstakes casinos based on strict criteria, and we list below some of the best brands we found in Tennessee.
As we’ve confirmed through reviews and analysis of Tennessee social casinos throughout this breakdown, Tennessee has many free-to-access platforms where you can enjoy various games.
The top sites support live dealer gaming, table games, slots, jackpots, slingo, bingo, scratchcards, and poker.
As we’re sure you know, all casino games are games of chance. This means some of us will get lucky and win, while others won’t. That said, you can play many casino games that offer much better payout chances than others. That’s why high RTP games remain your best chance to win some cash at Tennessee social casinos - by turning winning spins or hands into SC and converting them to real money.
The following titles for various games, all of which fit the definition of a ‘high RTP’ game:
We’ve touched upon RTP above and indicated five games for each category that offer a solid chance of scoring a payout. In short, the RTP is the statistical percentage of wagers paid back to players as winnings over time.
Overall, Tennessee gambling laws aren’t too favorable for casino operators. In fact, because Tennessee has zero retail casinos and real-money online casino gambling is prohibited, it’s one of the most restricted states in the US. However, Tennessee does at least allow online sports betting and charitable gaming like raffles and bingo.
House Bill HB0001, the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act, was passed in the state’s general assembly in 2019. However, it was returned without Governor Bill Lee's signature, who refused to sign it. The Senate Speaker then signed it. Although Gov. Lee’s refusal to sign was a symbolic gesture that didn’t stall legislation of sports betting in the state, he also made his views on casino gaming very clear, describing it as “destructive.”
This is unique, as few states have legalized online sports betting without the presence of any retail gambling locations inside their borders. The future of possible Tennessee online casinos supporting real-money wagering doesn’t look too promising. That’s because there aren’t any pending bills or proposals to address and change the current landscape.
Once you’ve decided to join one of the Tennessee sweepstakes casinos highlighted above, it’s time to create your account. To get this done, you’ll need to run through these steps:
At real money casinos, you use banking methods to fund accounts and withdraw funds. At Tennessee social casinos, you use banking methods to purchase bonus packages, and you can only withdraw them after converting SC into cash. To perform either transaction, you open the payments page when signed in, pick your method, and away you go.
Different casinos have different methods that they support, of course. However, most Tennessee online casinos support bank transfers, prepaid cards, e-wallets, and credit/debit cards. As for their roles in payments and withdrawals, please refer to the following table:
To register at social casinos in Tennessee, you must be 18 or older. If Tennessee had real money gaming sites, this age restriction would be 21+ - as is standard in many other states. However, you must also be a Tennessee resident to register at sweepstakes sites legally. After joining, you will be asked to confirm the details provided for both areas.
As referenced throughout, Tennessee doesn’t have retail casinos as these are not permitted by law. Should this change in the future, we can say with certainty that you’ll need to be 21 to enter and gamble at such establishments.
Real money casinos in Tennessee don’t fall under the jurisdiction of any established authority, as they don’t exist. Technically speaking, the same goes for Tennessee sweepstakes casinos, although these sites must still abide by specific regulations if they are to operate legally. These criteria include the support of free methods of participation, equal win opportunities for all, and the fact that they cannot force purchases or donations to play.
For all sites we’ve showcased here, you can access and use their associated platforms through a fully optimized mobile offering - directly through your browser. A few of our mentioned Tennessee online casinos also have native apps you can download for a superior gaming experience. However, a couple of other casinos deserve recognition for offering high-quality sweepstakes gaming apps, too, as identified below:
The first recorded lottery game in Tennessee dates back to 1787—well over 200 years ago! Since then, the law adjustments with gambling in the state have been a little turbulent. Some activities have been banned and outlawed, while others, like sports betting and charitable gaming, have been legalized.
As for how this all unfolded, let’s share a timeline:
Horse racing betting banned.
Constitutional amendment to allow Tennessee lotteries.
Tennessee legalizes DFS competitions.
Tennessee legalizes sports betting (without any retail casinos).
First online sportsbooks launch in Tennessee.
While tempting, signing up with offshore casinos is risky and potentially quite dangerous, meaning sites that operate outside of the USA. Such sites do not fall under US jurisdiction and are therefore not regulated by Tennessee or the US authorities. As for the associated risks with playing at such casinos, you have no guarantee of payments for winnings, no protection against financial and/or personal data breaches, and there is little oversight for game fairness.
In contrast, the complete reverse is true for Tennessee online casinos operating within the sweepstakes area. While these platforms don’t need licenses since they don’t offer real money gambling, they are still governed by US authorities. This means that if any problems arise, you have established on-shore resources to utilize that can help you settle any disputes.
Based on this comparison, the only safe option is to play at social casinos in Tennessee, no matter what promises offshore casinos might make!
You might think that the absence of land-based casinos in Tennessee is a little strange, and we’re inclined to agree with you. Many have scratched their heads when looking for retail casinos in the state, only to come up blank. That’s what makes Tennessee unique - it’s one of the only states to legalize online sports betting while keeping casino gaming illegal.
Article XI, Section 5 of the Tennessee Constitution prohibits any ‘game of chance’ to operate in the state. Of course, casino gambling certainly fits this description. With $10,000 fines in place for any establishment found to be violating this law, Tennessee takes this stance very seriously.
Social casinos in Tennessee are allowed to operate. However, real-money online casinos and retail casinos remain illegal.
Yes. Sweepstakes casinos can operate in Tennessee, and you can access these sites if you are 18+ and a Tennessee resident.
After reviewing many top casinos in Tennessee, your best options include Wow Vegas Casino, High 5 Casino, and Stake.us.
Yes. Tennessee sweepstakes casinos are safe as long as you stick with sites that operate within the jurisdiction of the US.
Yes. Tennessee casinos offer all kinds of ‘free to claim’ bonuses that boost your Sweepstakes Coins and Gold Coins balance. Although this is optional, you can purchase bonuses for much greater rewards.