Tennessee Casino Guide
Facts About Gambling & Online Casinos in Tennessee
Tennessee is one of the handful of states that does not have any casinos. For people who want to gamble in Tennessee, the state lottery is the only option. Lottery Tennessee offers numerous games, including Cash 3, Cash 4, Hot Lotto Sizzler, Mega Millions, and Powerball. Residents and visitors can also purchase scratch offs like Monopoly Millionaires’ Club or $100 Mayhem.
History of Gambling in Tennessee
At one point, gambling dens were common in big cities like Knoxville. Unfortunately, these dens also brought in crime and the attentions of notorious outlaws like Kid Curry, a man who rode with Butch Cassidy. When Kid Curry was shot outside a Knoxville bar, a huge push to outlaw gambling was made. As a result, the Tennessee Code created strict anti-gambling laws. Tennessee defined gambling as “risking anything of value for a profit whose return is to any degree contingent on chance.” This included Blackjack, Roulette, slot machines, and table games.
Despite this ruling, the Tennessee Lottery was created after an amendment to the state’s constitution passed in 2002. It was decided that the lottery would be operated by the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation. All of the revenue brought in by the lottery had to be used for early education, after school programs, and projects relating to grades kindergarten to 12th grade. The first lottery ticket was sold in 2004.
Age Restrictions for Gambling in Tennessee
Purchasing lottery tickets in Tennessee requires you to be at least 18 years of age. There are no casinos, but many Tennesseans head out of state to casinos just over the state lines. Casinos in neighboring states generally require players to be at least 21.
Tennessee’s Casino Gambling Outlook
Casinos in Tennessee may be coming sooner than some might think. Studies found that 30 percent of the gamblers in some upstate Mississippi casinos were from Tennessee, many other people from Tennessee use online casinos instead. State Representative Jason Powell introduced a proposal that would legalize casinos, stop the loss of money to other states, and use that new revenue to help fund education within the state. The amendment reached the Tennessee House in March 2015, who are using the summer to study the potential revenue, risks, and benefits.
Local Casinos
While there are no casinos in Tennessee, there are casinos in neighboring states that many in Tennessee frequent. You could also play in online casinos in Tennessee and enjoy your favorite video slots, table games, and video poker.
If you’re really interested in land-based casinos near Tennessee, here are some options.
Creek Casino – With two casinos near Montgomery, Alabama, people in Chattanooga, TN, are less than 250 miles from Creek Casino Montgomery and Creek Casino Wetumpka.
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort – At just under two hours from Knoxville, this North Carolina casino is a popular choice.
Hollywood Casino & Hotel Tunica – If you live near or are visiting Memphis, Tennessee, you’re really close to some excellent casinos. At just 36 miles away, Hollywood Casino is just over the state line.
Tropicana Evansville Casino – Located across the border in Indiana, the Tropicana is just over two hours from Nashville.