The Tennessee Education Lottery (TEL) held a special Sports Wagering Committee meeting this Thursday to discuss matters pertinent to the launch of sports betting in the state.
The TEL released a list of initial sports permitted for wagering during last week’s meeting.
Upon the previous meeting’s conclusion, members were still unsure whether pre-game collegiate prop betting would be allowed.
The TEL met today to address this question and a few others.
More applicants approved for Tennessee sports betting launch
The majority of the short 30-minute meeting was dedicated to rubber-stamping new vendor and supplier applications.
The full list of approved licensees and registrants can be found here.
Amelco UK Ltd. was approved as Action 24/7’s sports wagering provider, though its official GLI certification is still pending.
Swish Analytics Tennessee, Inc., a data analytics company with ties to Amelco, was also approved as a sports gaming supplier.
Additionally, the board spoke of some outstanding issues with applicants in the way of bonds and insurance requirements.
Potential Oct. 28 soft launch
The board mentioned the need for a soft launch before Nov. 1. This would give operators time to effectively set up patron accounts. No official date was confirmed, however.
It was re-stated that no prop bets will be permitted on individual college athletes.
Similarly, in-game prop bets collegiate team performances are prohibited.
In-game collegiate team wagers, on the other hand, are allowed. The same appears to be true for pre-game team prop bets at the college level, though a conclusion was not explicitly drawn.
Tennessee is one step closer to getting the ball rolling on sports betting after this meeting. Or are they?
Industrious efforts, a Hail Mary pass, and a successful soft launch on potentially Oct. 28 or Oct. 29 will help ensure the state’s launch of sports betting is a successful (and hopefully smooth) one.
The TEL stated at the end of the meeting that they are optimistic the Sports Wagering Committee will not need to convene until sometime in November.
