NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Sportsbooks are set to accept the first bets in Tennessee’s online-only sports betting program starting early Sunday at 12:01 a.m.
The Tennessee Lottery says DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM have completed all the requirements to launch Sunday and each has said it is ready for a day-one start. The lottery says a fourth operator, Tennessee Action 24/7, has system testing planned for Saturday and is close to being ready to launch the next day.
“This Sunday will represent the culmination of an enormous amount of work and due diligence to bring online-only sports wagering to Tennessee, the only state in the nation to do so,” TEL President and CEO Rebecca Paul Hargrove said in a press release. “As the regulator, today also represents the beginning of a new stage as we establish and support a responsible and competitive program here. We will continue to work with all licensees, registrants and applicants to protect the consumer, promote fairness in sports and regulate this new Tennessee industry that provides critical funds to the state and local governments.”
Sports fans will be able to place bets only through the internet, mobile device or other telecommunications platforms. The kickoff comes more than a year and a half in the making after lawmakers narrowly approved sports betting in spring 2019. The state lottery is regulating the program.
Editor's Note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.
