Frequently Asked Questions
Who is considered a Sports Gaming Operator?
SWC Rule 1350-01-.02(46) defines “Sports Gaming Operator” as “a Licensee authorized under the Sports Gaming Act and these Rules to offer and operate Interactive Sports Gaming.”
Who is considered a Vendor?
SWC Rule 1350-01-.02(54) defines “Vendor” as “a type of Vendor, as defined in T.C.A. § 4-49-102(27), that
(a) Provides one or more of the following: geolocation services; sports gaming equipment, software, systems, or platforms; sports data; Global Risk Management services; Patron accounts management systems; “Know Your Customer”/KYC services, or payment processing services.
(b) Serves as an independent testing laboratory to assess Sports Gaming System platforms, integrity and/or security in accordance with these Rules;
(c) Has direct interface or interaction with Patron accounts or Sports Gaming Systems and receives payment or compensation based on a revenue sharing agreement in which the Vendor receives a percentage of the Adjusted Gross Income of any Licensee; or that
(d) Provides any similar services that are material to conducting Interactive Sports Gaming, as determined by the Council.”
My company is a marketing affiliate, do we need to apply for a Vendor Registration?
Generally, no, unless your company has direct interface or interaction with Patron accounts or Sports Gaming Systems and receives payment or compensation based on a revenue sharing agreement in which you receive a percentage of the Adjusted Gross Income of any Licensee. If you have any further questions about whether you need to register as a Vendor, please email SWC.Licensing@tn.gov.
Is there a registration fee for Vendors?
No, there is no fee for Vendors to register in Tennessee.
What is the Sports Gaming Operator fee?
The Sports Gaming Act provides: “An application for a license must include the following: … (10) A nonrefundable application fee in the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), and an annual licensing fee in the amount of seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000)” Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-49-117(b). SWC Rule 1350-01-.05(5) provides: “For a Sports Gaming Operator License, Applicant shall submit a nonrefundable application fee of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) due at the time the initial or renewal application is submitted. Failure to submit the $50,000 application fee shall cause the application to be rejected or cause a delay in the processing of an application. Upon approval of the application, the $50,000 application fee shall be applied to the Sports Gaming Operator’s licensing fee of seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000), which shall be paid in full within ten (10) days of approval of the License or prior to expiration of the annual renewal period, which shall be one (1) year from the date of the issuance of the License. Failure to pay any applicable application, license, renewal, or additional necessary fees shall cause the application or renewal to be rejected.”
What is the Sports Gaming Operator license application process?
For the Operator license application process, please visit our Operator application page.
What is the Vendor registration application process?
For the Vendor registration application process, please visit our Vendor application page.
Who is considered a Key Personnel?
SWC Rule 1350-01-.02(22) defines “Key Personnel” as ”a principal owner who owns 5% or more of the subject entity, a partner of the entity, member of the entity’s board of directors, officers of the entity, or an employee of the entity having the authority to act on behalf of a Licensee or Registrant and whose judgment is being relied upon to manage and advance the business operations of a Licensee or Registrant in the State of Tennessee.” If you have any questions about who meets the definition of Key Personnel, please email SWC.Licensing@tn.gov. For the Key Personnel application process, please visit our Key Personnel application page.
Is there an additional application fee for Key Personnel?
No, there is no application fee for Key Personnel.
Do Key Personnel receive a license?
No, there is no individual license for Key Personnel.
How should application documents be submitted?
Applications should be submitted by hard copy and electronic copy, except that financial documents should be submitted by electronic copy only, to our Licensing Coordinator, SWC.Licensing@tn.gov, and mailed to our office:
Attn: Mary Beth Thomas
TN Sports Wagering Council
Tennessee Tower 8th Floor
310 Rosa L Parks Ave.
Nashville, TN 37219
Will we get a certificate for our License/Registration?
Yes, if you are an Operator, you will receive a license certificate. If you are a Vendor, you will receive a registration letter.
Where can I find the catalog for approved sports wagering events?
You can find our catalog for approved sports wagering events on our website, located here.
What type of wagers are prohibited?
SWC Rule 1350-01-.03(9) provides: “A Sports Gaming Operator shall not permit a Wager to be placed on the following:
(a) Injuries, penalties, or other such occurrences, the Wager on which would be contrary to public policy, unfair to consumers, or deemed to violate Article Xl, Section 5 of the Constitution of Tennessee;
(b) Individual actions, events, statistics, occurrences, or non-occurrences to be determined during a collegiate sporting event, including, without limitation, in-game Proposition Wagers on the performance or non-performance of a team or individual participant during a collegiate sporting event; and
(c) Amateur sports events, including all high school and youth league sports events, except for sports events that are approved by the Council, in which Persons under age 18 make up a minority of the participants.”