Sports Wagering Council Reminds Everyone Sports Betting in Tennessee Is for Those 21 Years Old And Up

NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWC) is reminding everyone in Tennessee that wagering on sports here is only legal if the bettor is 21 years old or older.
 
With the start of the National Football League (NFL) and college football seasons coming up, the SWC wants the wagering public to be aware of Tennessee law.  Betting by individuals younger than 21 is a criminal offense, as is “proxy wagering,” or the act of one individual betting on behalf of another.
 
“The SWC’s primary role is the protection of the public interest of Tennessee through a safe, regulated environment, and Tennessee rules and laws are in place because for some sports wagering has the potential to become addictive and can lead to harmful and devastating consequences,” Executive Director Mary Beth Thomas said. “There is typically an increase in wagering activity with the start of the NFL and college football seasons, and we want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that you must be at least 21 years old to wager on sports in Tennessee.”
 
Tennessee is the largest “online-only” sports betting market in the U.S. Bettors in Tennessee are wagering more than $4 billion a year on sports through online sportsbooks licensed by the SWC.
 
Licensed sportsbooks have controls in place to identify and deter illegal activity, and they have an obligation to notify the SWC immediately of suspicious or illegal wagering activity. When the SWC receives a report of possible wagering by a person under 21, its investigators are able to access the account information to determine whether the person wagering is under 21.
 
A 2023 NCAA survey of 3,500 18-22 year olds showed 58 percent having engaged in at least one sports betting activity. Additionally, current NCAA rules say prospective student-athletes – high school student-athletes who have been solicited by an NCAA school – are banned from sports betting and a student-athlete’s eligibility will be automatically revoked if they are caught.

About the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council
The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council’s primary role is to protect the public interest of Tennessee through a safe, regulated sports gambling environment. The SWC oversees the licensing and registration process for online sports wagering operators, sports wagering vendors, and fantasy sports operators. The state agency monitors and enforces compliance with the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act and the Tennessee Fantasy Sports Act and related rules, including the assessment of the State’s privilege tax on sportsbooks.
 
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