The board of directors for the Tennessee Education Lottery approved what it described as an “initial” list of sporting events that will be available for online wagering in the Volunteer State.
The Tennessee Lottery is responsible for the licensing and regulation of online sports wagering in Tennessee.
The TEL added Nov. 1 continues to be the expected go-live date for the start of sports betting in the state.
The list of approved sports is a lengthy one. The usual suspects are there – the traditional four professional American sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL), plus Major League Soccer, PGA Golf events, professional tennis (men’s and women’s), UFC and boxing, NASCAR, Summer and Winter Olympics, and Indy Car and Formula One racing.
Some of the more ambitious entries include Aussie Rules Football, Korean and Japanese professional baseball, the Pro Bowling Tour, Professional Bull Riding, International Cricket Council, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball, table tennis, and the British Darts Organisation. Many overseas professional leagues made the list, such as Belarus Extraleague hockey and Brazil Serie B soccer.
College sports are well-represented. In addition to football and basketball, bettors will be able to wager on NCAA baseball, golf, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, track and field, and volleyball.
Women’s pro sports include the WNBA, LPGA and the National Women’s Soccer League.
The list even includes Americas Cup sailing and rowing events sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Aviron.
The TEL included a general approval of eSports as a category, but noted each league and its games/matches must be submitted for approval.
Official noted all bettors must be at least 21 years old to play and physically located in Tennessee at the time a wager is placed.