Three More Illegal Sports Gaming Entities Stop Operations In Tennessee
BetWhale, Kickr & ReBet Have All Ceased Sports Betting-Related OperationsNASHVILLE -- Three more illegal sports gaming entities stopped accepting customers in Tennessee after action taken by the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWC).
BetWhale.ag, an illegal offshore sportsbook; Kickr, a social gaming platform offering “sports picks”; and ReBet, which offered social sportsbook sweepstakes, have all shut down these offerings after the SWC issued cease and desist letters, and in the case of BetWhale, a $50,000 fine.
Tennessee is the largest “online-only” sports betting market in the U.S., with $5.6 billion wagered last fiscal year with online sportsbooks licensed by the SWC. The Council’s mission is to protect the public interest of Tennessee through a safe, regulated sports wagering environment.
“We encourage all Tennessee sports betting customers to remember it is important to use legal, licensed sportsbooks to protect your own personal and financial information,” Executive Director Mary Beth Thomas said. “Access to a website or an app does not mean the sportsbook has been licensed to operate here, and consumers can check the SWC website at www.tn.gov/swac/licensees-registrants.html for a complete list of sportsbooks licensed to do business in Tennessee."
The Tennessee Sports Gaming Act and promulgated rules require licensed sportsbooks to provide critical protections for the sports betting customer.
These protections include holding reserves to pay wagers and keeping personal and financial information secure.
Licensed sportsbooks must also follow other restrictions under state law, such as prohibiting individuals under 21 years old from wagering and not accepting wagers using credit cards.
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, and 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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