There are almost no casino options for residents of Tennessee. Within its limits, you won’t find any riverboat, commercial, or tribal casinos. The conservative nature of the country’s “music capital” is reflected in the total absence of any kind of contemporary gaming in the state.
However, there is some good news for gambling addicts. In 2016, Tennessee became the third state to pass legislation specifically allowing daily fantasy sports betting. DFS businesses like DraftKings and FanDuel are free to operate without interference from the government, unlike in the vast bulk of the United States. New entrants include DraftDay, Fantasy Draft, and StarsDraft.
It’s not fully legal to gamble online, though. Online sports betting was made legal by the Tennessee legislature on May 24th, 2019. This was an uncommon move, given that US governments often favor physical dwellings over their digital counterparts. Given that Tennessee lacks any brick-and-mortar casinos, it appears people choose to play online instead. There is no cap on the number of online sportsbooks, so when the state accepts its first sports bet, which may be as soon as a few months from now, residents and visitors should anticipate a dozen or more operators to enter the market.
The Tennessee lottery was established in 2004, after being approved by the state legislature in 2002. Scratch-off and lottery tickets are available at hundreds of retail outlets around the state, but unfortunately, online ticket sales are prohibited. Games like Powerball and Mega Millions are played nationally, while state-specific games like Cash 3, Cash 4, and Tennessee Cash are played locally.
Charity bingo is now on the list of prohibited gambling activities in Tennessee. Raffles at charity events are permitted, and non-monetary prizes may be awarded.
Curiosities about the State
The city of Bristol sits on the southwestern Virginia and eastern Tennessee borders. State Street, the primary thoroughfare in the area, serves as the dividing line between the two states. Country music was also developed in Bristol.
The state is both scenically stunning and historically significant, so visitors will have no shortage of things to see and do. The state is home to the most visited national park in the United States, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In Sweetwater, Tennessee, you may visit the biggest subterranean lake in the United States.
Among the Yuchi people, the word “Tana-see” meant a gathering spot, hence the name. Memphis, Tennessee is the site of Elvis Presley’s birth. The list of well-known locals continues with names like Dolly Parton, Aretha Franklin, Samuel L. Jackson, and Justin Timberlake.
Tennessee joined the ranks of the 48 states that allow some kind of gambling with the introduction of its lottery in 2002.
Casinos in the Volunteer State
There are no casinos in the state of Tennessee, but there is a large casino complex just across the Mississippi border in Tunica, which is less than 45 miles away from Memphis. Gold Strike Casino, Hollywood Casino, and Sam’s Town Casino are only three of the eight casinos that may compare in size and opulence to any in Nevada.
Harrah’s Metropolis in Illinois is about two hours’ drive to the northwest of Nashville, while Lady Luck Casino Caruthersville is located on a boat in the middle of the Mississippi River. Slot machines, traditional table games, video poker, and even live poker may all be found at these casinos. Transportation to and from these nearby casino towns is provided by both event centers and shuttle services.
Even though there aren’t many places to gamble in Arizona, horse racing is a popular option for those who are looking for a change of pace.
Residents of the Volunteer State have access to national social gaming choices. Double Down Casino, Zynga, Big Fish, and Slotmania are some of the mobile and Facebook app providers. Video poker, slot machines, and table games all have free demo versions available for play. At Sweepstakes sites like Chumba Casino, there is no monetary investment, but there is a chance to win some nice prizes.