Enable JavaScript in your browser settings to use the full functionality of our website.

Interested in playing at a Tennessee online casino? It’s crucial that you use only permitted platforms to avoid legal problems.

However, the first step is to know whether the Volunteer State welcomes online casino activities. That’s one of the things we’ll be discussing in this guide. 

Meanwhile, there are free online casino platforms with sweepstakes that you can also explore. Before we go on to share the best places to play, let’s review the current legal situation of Tennessee online casino gaming.

🔑 Key Takeaways

  • Discover the only legal sites for playing casino games in TN.
  • Find out other permitted gambling options in Tennessee besides casinos.
  • Get familiar with the situation regarding land-based casino establishments in the state.

Are Real Money Online Casinos Legal in Tennessee?

Players in Tennessee cannot legally use real money online casinos. The platforms are not permitted in the state. According to Tre Hargert, the Tennessee Secretary of State, the following real money games are not allowed

  • Poker games/tournaments
  • Pull-tabs
  • Punchboards
  • Video lottery 
  • Instant and online lottery
  • Keno
  • Slot machines 
  • Roulette 
  • Other games of chance 

The state law only permits recreational gaming where participants are not required to pay money to join, although they can win prizes. So, Tennessee is out of the question if you want to play real money games online.

→ To discover where you can play real money online casinos in the US, click here.

Our Top 5 Sweepstakes Online Casinos in Tennessee

Since you can’t find a real money online casino Tennessee site, what’s your best online casino gaming option? From our findings, the only legal way to enjoy your favorite games online is by using sweepstakes casinos.

On these sites, you’re not required to pay; you play with free coins instead. However, you can redeem real prizes if you win, which aligns with Tennessee laws.

We have a complete list of the best sweepstakes casinos in the US. But you’re especially here for a reason: Tennessee options.

Here are our top 5 sweepstakes online casinos TN for 2024.

High 5 Casino in Tennessee 

The first Tennessee online casino for sweepstakes gaming on this list is the famous High 5 Casino. With over 1,200 hit slots and live dealer casino games, it sure is a platform to play on. You’ll get 250 Gold Coins, 5 Sweeps Coins, and 600 Diamonds to play for free after signing up. 

High 5 Casino scores high points in terms of mobile gaming. You can install the app on Android or iOS to play on the go, wherever you are. Moreover, most titles are from High 5 Games, the sweepstakes casino’s operator. That means you can enjoy exclusive gameplay. 

→ One of the top games to play on this site is Live Roulette, which is produced in-house. Since it’s a live dealer variant, you get a realistic experience as you predict where the ball will land on the spinning wheel. 

McLuck in Tennessee  

McLuck offers a library of over 700 casino games. It’s another TN online casino that offers slots and live dealer table games. However, the platform’s promotions are the main selling points. To illustrate, you receive 7,500 GCs and 2.5 SCs as a welcome bonus.

There’s also a huge referral bonus of 200,000 Gold Coins and 100 Sweepstakes Coins. Thanks to this offer, you can score massive rewards when you recommend your friends in Tennessee to sign up. All you have to do is share your link.

→ Regarding games, Hot to Burn by Pragmatic Play is one title you don’t want to miss. The slot is hot, like its name, so there’s no dull moment as you spin the reels. 

Pulsz in Tennessee

You can register with Pulsz Casino to enjoy 900+ slots, jackpots, and arcade games. This sweepstakes site is relatively popular around the United States, and it offers a mobile app for easy gaming on your smartphone. Of course, there’s an impressive signup bonus of 5,000 GCs and 2 SCs when you become a new player.  

One of the best things about Pulsz is that the platform integrates many modern features. For instance, while playing on the site or app, it automatically adjusts to light or dark mode — depending on your device setting. That’s a plus in terms of convenience.

→ For an optimal experience at Pulsz Casino, try 4 Fantastic Fish by 4 The Player. It’s a new epic win slot with a massive 7,500,000,000 GC top prize. 

Stake.us in Tennessee 

If you’re looking for the best Tennessee online casino bonus, Stake.us provides precisely that. Once you sign up as a new player, you’re eligible for 260,000 GCs, 55 SCs, and a 5% rakeback. The only requirement is that you verify your ID to confirm that you’re indeed a TN resident.

In terms of games, you also won’t go wrong with Stake.us. The platform offers a broad collection of 750+ titles, with a handful of Stake Originals (in-house games). Whether you’re after slots, table games, or instant wins, you get them all on the website. 

→ One of the most popular Stake.us games is Sweet Fiesta by Pragmatic Play. The candy-themed slot is worth playing, thanks to the Enhanced RTP feature, meaning you have a higher chance of winning over time.

Sweeptastic in Tennessee 

With 400+ games, Sweeptastic is another top sweepstakes casino to consider if you’re in Tennessee. There’s a lot to love about this site, and it begins with the welcome bonus. As a new player, 10,000 Lucky Coins and 4 Sweeps Coins are yours for free.  

Sweeptastic employs a modern approach to its site design. Therefore, you’ll find it easy to navigate and locate your favorite games. Impressively, the collection consists of slots, jackpots, and instant wins/Originals. 

→ When you sign up with Sweeptastic, don’t skip playing Wild Tiger by BGaming. It’s a unique Asian-themed slot with five paylines: 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100.

Can You Play With Real Money in a Land-Based Casino in Tennessee?

Unfortunately, Tennessee doesn’t permit land-based casinos to operate. So, you don’t get any option to bet real money in the state. Your sole option is using the best Tennessee online casino sites for sweepstakes gaming in our previous list. 

How to Declare Taxable Winnings in Tennessee?

If you win with any legal gambling avenue in Tennessee, you have to declare tax. The good news is that this isn’t difficult.

When you win up to a certain threshold, you’ll usually receive a W-2 G tax form from the operator. After submitting the form, you’ll also report it using Form 1040, Individual Income Tax Return. Specifically, your gambling winnings will come under the “Other Income” section. 

Other Legal Gambling Activities in Tennessee

As a gaming fan, it’s quite discouraging that real money Tennessee online casino sites and land-based establishments are restricted. Nevertheless, the silver lining is that there are other legal gambling activities in the state.

Check them out below: 

  • Sports betting: Tennessee has many licensed and regulated online sportsbooks, including BetMGM. You can legally wager on sports with these brands.
  • Daily fantasy sports: The online sportsbooks in TN, such as DraftKings and FanDuel, also feature DFS. Just as you can legally bet on sports, you can make DFS picks without problems. 
  • Horse racing: Tennessee doesn’t feature any live horse racing facilities. However, the state permits betting on races via platforms like TwinSpires and TVG. 
  • Lottery and charitable games: The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation and Tennessee Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming regularly conduct lottery and charitable games.  These are official state-run games, so you can participate without legal worries. 

Fact: The Tennessee Sports Wagering Advisory Council (SWAC) regulates online Sportsbooks in the state, and bettors must be up to 21 years old to wager legally. 

History of Gambling in Tennessee

Gambling in Tennessee has come a long way. Currently, you can’t play with real money at TN online casino sites, but it’s one of the many laws introduced over the years.

You can check out the complete history of gambling in the Volunteer State:  

  • Pre-16th Century: The local Cherokee Indians engage in various forms of gambling, with stick ball being the most popular. 
  • 1770s: Tennessee, then part of North Carolina, sees the introduction of European gambling games like billiards and the card game whist. 
  • 1770s: Cockfighting and horse racing also become popular, and lotteries are used to fund public construction.
  • 1796: Tennessee becomes a state.
  • 1804: The first horse race in Tennessee takes place, with Andrew Jackson — later 7th US president — as one of the racers.
  • 1834: Lotteries are outlawed in TN. 
  • 1843: The richest horse race in Tennessee’s history, the Peyton Stakes, is held in Nashville with prizes totaling $35,000.
  • 1906: Gambling on horse races is banned.
  • 1970s: Charitable gaming becomes allowed for a brief period.
  • 1982: The electorate approves the establishment of a state lottery.
  • 1984: The state lottery begins selling tickets.
  • 1989: The state Supreme Court rules bingo unconstitutional due to criminal activities associated with charitable bingo events, resulting in over 50 convictions.
  • 2010: Tennessee allows charitable gaming again under strict regulations to generate revenue. 
  • 2016: The state legalizes daily fantasy sports, marking a significant shift in its stance on gambling.
  • 2019: Tennessee passes a sports betting bill, permitting residents to wager on sports events online.

What’s Next for Tennessee Online Casinos?

Based on our research, online casinos in Tennessee are not likely to share the same fate as online sportsbooks in the coming years.

The last time there was a significant update on the subject was in 2019 — the same year the sports betting bill was passed. However, it was particularly on land-based casinos and not online gaming sites. 

According to reports at the time, a Memphis lawmaker, Larry Miller, proposed an amendment to the Tennessee constitution to allow casinos in the state. The Cherokee Indians were pushing to launch a casino for economic development. However, there was no follow-up news on whether the proposition passed. 

It’s unlikely that Tennessee will legalize online casinos before land-based gambling establishments. With the latter yet to generate significant interest among lawmakers, the future isn’t looking favorable for the former. It’s worth mentioning that changing the Tennessee Constitution is a long process.

So, if you’re asking, can you play online casino in Tennessee soon? The answer is a no, as things stand.

Fact: Proposed constitutional changes must first secure a majority vote during one two-year General Assembly session. They must then gain at least two-thirds in the subsequent session and gain approval by voters in a gubernatorial election year.

So, Will You Bet From Tennessee Tonight?

Now, you know what to answer when asked, is online casino legal in Tennessee? The state of things in the Volunteer State is really unfavorable for casino players, especially with land-based gambling avenues also illegal.

All the same, it’s vital you stick to the law and play with our recommended sweepstakes casinos. If you’re particular about real money gambling, your best option is to visit a neighboring state that permits the activity.

For more legal online gambling options, check our list of the new sweepstakes casinos in the US. You’ll be sure to find a reliable solution.