Is Sports Betting Legal in Tennessee?
Sports betting is indeed legal in the state of Tennessee, which is good news if you like the idea of putting money on the NBA, NFL, NHL, or a multitude of other sporting events. The big shift happened with the passing of new legislation back in May 2019. Unlike other regions like New Jersey and Pennsylvania, however, the Volunteer State still has very strict regulations in place. Retail sportsbooks and online casinos arenât permitted to legally operate, so gambling is restricted to Tennessee online betting sites only.
The Tennessee sports wagering industry is regulated by the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation (TELC). It took a couple of months for the authorities to set the rules for the burgeoning industry after the official legalization date, but the first web-based sportsbooks finally went live in November 2020. Names like BetMGM, FanDuel, and the DraftKings Sportsbook got off to an early start when legalized sports betting came through, letting players place legitimate parlays, moneylines and other sports bets for the first time.
Tennessee Free Bets Explained
Am I Eligible to Claim a Free Bet?
Free bet bonuses are one of the most popular sorts of extras on offer at Tennessee sportsbooks. Compare.bet lists and reviews all of the top providers, weighing up the best free bet deals at Tennessee sportsbooks to make it easy for you to pick one that suits. Some sites will provide you with free bets simply for signing up, while others will require you to make a deposit.
To be eligible to bag these bonus wagers, youâll need to be at least 21 years of age. Youâll also have to be present within the state of Tennessee to place bets of any kind. If youâre using a mobile betting app, your location can be confirmed using geolocation software, allowing you to make use of free – and paid – bets whenever you feel like it.
How Do I Claim a Free Bet?Â
Free bets can provide a boost to your bankroll and give you the chance to bet on some of the best sporting action. Hereâs how to claim yours.
- Compare betting sites and deals
Scroll through our list of accredited online sportsbooks in the Volunteer State and youâll see the top free bet bonuses out there. Our experts also pinpoint any important terms and conditions, so you can get an idea of how good a deal a particular promotion is.
- Sign up to a Tennessee online betting site
Once youâve found the TN sportsbook and free bet deal for you, itâs just a matter of clicking through and following the sign up process. This will usually involve verifying your ID by uploading specified documents at some point after joining.
- Deposit funds
Some free bets stipulate that you have to add some funds to your new account before you can enjoy your bonus. If so, navigate to the wallet or cashier part of the betting dashboard and choose the method youâd like to use. Debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, and prepaid cards are all commonly accepted.
- Claim your bonus
Sometimes, your bonus bet will appear in your account without you having to do anything. Other times, youâll have to enter a promo code or officially claim your bet credit from the promotions section of the site. Your chosen sports betting site will explain how to claim the bonus in the terms and conditions.
When Do Bookies Offer Free Bets?
Tennessee online betting sites offer free bet bonuses for different reasons. For example, no deposit free bets are often used as a way to attract new users to the site. Sometimes, no financial outlay is required to access these free bets, meaning theyâre a good way for new players to try out a site for the first time with no risk to their own wallet. Sometimes, however, you will have to make a qualifying bet in order to access a free bet. Deposit bonus free bets are also commonly offered to TN sports betting fans. With these, the sportsbook will match a proportion of your first deposit with an amount of free bet credits.
The best online sportsbooks in Tennessee also offer free bets to existing customers. Whatâs more, special free bet bonuses may become available for major events like the Super Bowl or World Series. Additionally, you may be given risk-free bets, where your stake is refunded if the outcome doesnât go your way.
Read the Free Bet Terms and ConditionsÂ
While free bets at Tennessee sportsbooks can certainly enhance your sports betting experience, itâs important not to get too carried away. Just as important are the terms and conditions that may apply to these bonuses. Letâs check out some of the most common strings that can be attached.
Time Limits
If youâre thinking of stockpiling free bets to use at some distant time in the future, you may need to think again. Most bonuses come with strict time limits. Use them by the deadline or youâll lose them: itâs that simple. Common time limits are usually around 30 days, but some can be as short as 48 hours, so always check the fine print.
Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements, otherwise known as playthrough requirements, are one of the most significant factors bettors should look out for when hunting for free bets at Tennessee sportsbooks. Theyâre essentially a wagering target you need to hit before youâre able to cash out any winnings from said free bet. A good example would be a $10 free bet with a 5 times wagering requirement. In this example, youâd need to bet a total of $50 before you can withdraw your winnings. Be aware that these requirements can sometimes be much higher than 5 times.
Minimum Odds
Setting a minimum odds restriction is a way for a sportsbook to ensure you canât play things too safe when you spend the free bets. It basically stops you from scoring easy wins on almost-certain outcomes. That said, minimum odds restrictions are rarely too prohibitive â itâs common to find them to sit somewhere between 1.5-2.0.
Market Restrictions
Tennessee betting sites will sometimes restrict free bets for use on certain matches or markets. This can be a real drawback if, say, you had your heart set on a certain scoreline in the Nashville Predators game, only to find you canât use free bets on this market. Always check what the free bet exemptions might be, details will usually be listed clearly in the terms and conditions.
Claiming a Free Bet on the Go
One of the great advantages of online sportsbooks is that you can hit the betting markets at any time, as long as you have a mobile device and a solid internet connection. Tennessee sportsbooks are fully optimized for use on smart devices, so you can simply navigate over to the site on your phone browser, log in, claim your free bets,and place wagers exactly as you would on your computer.
If itâs possible, we always recommend downloading an iOS or Android native mobile app. While these do take up some storage space on your device, they bring some real advantages over browser-based betting sites. As theyâre tailor-made for your device, apps tend to offer better, faster functionality, and youâll be able to swiftly place bets without needing to take the scenic route through your web browser. Mobile betting apps also bring you push notifications, which means youâll be automatically kept up to speed with the latest free bet bonuses and other promotions as they become available.
Signing Up to a Tennessee SportsbookÂ
Now that you have the lowdown on free bets, you should be able to claim the promotion from one of Tennesseeâs top betting sites. Simply read through our list of recommended sportsbooks, compare bonuses amounts and the terms and conditions, and then sign up to your favorite.
FAQs
Yes, Tennessee sportsbooks take bets on NCAA events and tournaments. However, in-play betting isnât allowed when it comes to college sports in the Volunteer State, and you also arenât permitted to place prop bets on specific college athletes.
Yes. If you place a free bet and the outcome goes your way, youâll win a return just as you would with any other bet slip. However, itâs vitally important to be aware of the terms and conditions, because you may not be able to take a real money payout before playthrough requirements are met.
The simplest way is to use Compare.bet. Weâll only list Tennessee sportsbooks that are properly licensed to operate in the Volunteer State. Alternatively, you can check the official website of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation (TELC), the stateâs own regulatory body, which lists its approved licensees and registrants.
If youâre looking for the best odds and promotions available, then having an account with more than one betting site can be a good way to ensure you get both.
