Will New Tennessee Sportsbooks Go Live By The Super Bowl?

Posted on January 25, 2021 - Last Updated on April 29, 2021

The Super Bowl is the most bet on sporting event of the year, and this year marks the first time Tennesseans can take part in the action.

Four sportsbooks are currently operational in the state.

Will more get the green light before the Big Game?

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Tennessee sportsbooks prepare for Super Bowl Sunday

Tennessee sportsbooks are gearing up for the big day by releasing initial game lines and rolling out promos.

Three national brands and one local startup are currently live in the Volunteer State:

The Tennessee Education Lottery (TEL) approved Churchill Downs’ sportsbook TwinSpires during its last board meeting on Jan. 6.

No timeline was given as to when an expected launch might occur. However, committee members did mention the goal of squaring everything away in time for the Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, three other operators remain in line for conditional licenses:

  • WynnBET
  • William Hill
  • ZenSports

The odds of at least one of these names launching in time for the Super Bowl are favorable.

The TEL will hold a special Sports Wagering Committee meeting this Friday.

December revenue numbers are expected to be released and new operators approved during this meeting.

So, who are these potential new faces in the Tennessee market?

TwinSpires next in line to join the four Tennessee sportsbooks

Renowned gaming brand Churchill Downs recently announced the merger of its BetAmerica sportsbook into its sister site, TwinSpires. The next day, it was approved as Tennessee’s newest sports betting operator.

TwinSpires has been a staple of horse race betting in the US throughout the 21st century. Founded in 1996, it has since become the official online racebook of the Kentucky Derby.

As of now, BetAmerica’s sportsbook can be accessed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Indiana.

Now that it has been approved, all that’s left to do is set a launch date for Tennessee.

WynnBET

Wynn Resorts revealed its WynnBET sportsbook app back in November. Since then, its expansion has been on a steady incline.

The operator is currently operational in four states – New Jersey, Colorado, Michigan and Virginia. It’s application for Tennessee remains pending.

On Jan. 21, WynnBET announced it will launch in the Ohio market, though the state has yet to officially approve a sports betting bill.

The sportsbook’s rapid growth continues with market access also secured in Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts and Nevada.

William Hill

William Hill has been a steadfast sports betting name in the UK since 1934.

The brand introduced itself to America in 2012, and the operator already boasts the country’s largest retail sportsbook presence. Now, its mobile app is gaining traction.

Most recently, it launched its retail and mobile sportsbook in Michigan on Jan. 22, expanding its market to a total of 13 states as well as the District of Columbia and the Bahamas.

ZenSports

Novelty operator ZenSports is looking to introduce its sportsbook to the US market. After generating substantial fundraising in late 2020, the brand has its sights set on license approvals in Tennessee and Nevada.

ZenSports’ unique ability to operate as a traditional sportsbook as well as a peer-to-peer wagering marketplace sets it apart from most other sportsbooks.

However, the TEL isn’t sold on the idea of being the first state to allow peer-to-peer wagering, so the future is uncertain for this brand at the moment.

With such an important sports betting event coming up on the calendar, Tennessee’s next operators are eager to open their digital doors.

Friday’s TEL meeting should reveal more information on which sportsbooks Tennesseans see next.

Photo by Associated Press
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Written by
Alec Cunningham

As a college athlete, Alec Cunningham played Division II golf at Tusculum University. She graduated in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Professional Writing. She then returned to her love of written word in 2000 after working in the music industry as a concert promoter, tour manager and artist developer. As a journalist, she's covered a variety of topics and currently specializes in Tennessee online sports betting and Virginia casino news. She served as a panelist at this year's All American Sports Betting Summit, discussing the ever-evolving role of women in the gambling industry.

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