Sports Betting in Tennessee Moves Forward

Just a few days ago, Tennessee lawmakers introduced a sports betting legalization bill with an interesting twist. The bill would only permit online wagering in the state, which is quite unusual when compared to most other state’s legislative pieces.

And now, the bill that would legalize mobile online gambling in the Volunteer State, managed to approval from the Key House Committee.

It is interesting to mention that if this bill gets fully approved, Tennessee would become the first US state to only offer online sports betting to its consumers.

Lawmakers Commented on the Bill

“We saw this as an opportunity for Beale Street to have people from the world coming and just thought it would be a great economic opportunity for us,” House Minority Leader, Karen Camper, said.

On the other hand, Governor, Bill Lee, is still strongly against the expansion of gambling in Tennessee…

…but noted that he will thoroughly go through each and every bill that comes into his hands before deciding if he’ll sign it or not.

“We try to work with legislators to make a bill as palatable and as beneficial as it can be, but if we can’t get it to a point where we think it’s acceptable, then I won’t sign it. But this bill is moving and we’ll see where it ends up,” Senator Lee said in an official report.

More Details on the Bill

The bill is sponsored and introduced by state Representative, Rick Staples, who is a Knoxville Democrat.

Also known as House Bill 1, the Tennessee online wagering bill was discussed at several meetings of the State Committee…

…before it was voted on and referred to the Government Operations Committee.

One of the things mentioned in the bill is the removal of land-based gambling venues and making an online gambling app where all customers would be able to place their bets.

Also, according to the bill, a total of 10 licenses would be allowed to be issued through the Tennessee Lottery. All licensed operators would have to pay a 20% privilege tax and a $750.000 fee before starting to offer their services in the state of Tennessee.

Great Opportunity for the State

House Minority Leader, Camper, who is a prime co-sponsor of this legislation, said that she is hoping that this will be the first step towards the legalization of sports betting in the state.

She mentioned as an example, the situation in Shelby County, which is actually losing millions of dollars in gambling revenue each year…

…because gamblers are placing their wagers in nearby Mississippi and Arkansas casinos.

“I think once see the benefit to us fiscally and the revenue it’s going to generate for our state, it may be another opportunity for compromise,” enabling wagering to expand to building locations, Camper said.

Other lawmakers also noted that thousands of people in Tennessee already gamble illegally and the state government is collecting no revenue at all from it, so all necessary actions must be done as soon as possible.

Source:

“Sports Betting in Tennessee Moves Forward”, Niji Narayan, April 11, 2019.