Can You Play Online Poker in Tennessee?

No, you cannot play online poker for real money in Tennessee. Not only does the state’s law prohibit playing poker over the Internet, but there are also no live poker rooms, which means poker fans cannot even play in-person poker games if they want to. The lack of state-regulated poker sites leaves Tennessee residents with limited online gambling options. 

Why Not? What Are the Online Poker Laws in Tennessee?

As one of the most conservative states in the country, Tennessee has one of the most clear-cut gambling prohibition laws in the United States. Betting (both offline and online) is only allowed in a few regional lotteries and a couple of horse tracks in the State. There are no casinos and no poker rooms in Tennessee. The state’s stringent laws also prohibit local companies from establishing online poker rooms within the state. 

The only silver lining for poker lovers in the state is that the strict laws apply to establishments but not to poker players. In other words, it’s unlikely you’ll get in legal trouble as an individual for playing poker.

Consequently, players can register accounts and play poker for real money on sites outside the United States. These sites, also known as offshore sites, welcome Tennessee players who want to play poker for real money. However, playing on these sites is still extremely risky (just not because of the law).

Offshore sites are licensed outside the United States, which means they’re not affected by Tennessee online poker legal restrictions. Although this might seem like a benefit, it is actually the biggest drawback of these sites. Operating outside the control of US authorities means there is no legal protection for players who use these sites if things go south (which happens relatively often on unregulated sites). 

This is why MyPokerCoaching does not recommend playing on offshore sites. Players have no guarantees of getting their money on these sites, and the chances of playing a fair game are also quite low since many of these sites are not held to a high standard by the offshore licensing bodies meant to regulate their activities. 

Potential Tennessee Poker Sites to Launch in the Future

Poker has been popular in Tennessee for many years, but the state is still to regulate online poker sites. There have been several attempts at it over the years, but so far, none have come to fruition.

It is a pretty safe bet that online poker in TN will be regulated at some point in the future, so the only real question is when. While it’s hard to give any definitive answer at this point in time, we continue to monitor the situation and will keep you updated with any important developments.

When online poker is finally legal in TN, there are a few sites that we can expect to go live. These are all operators with a major presence in the regulated US market, and they’ll likely jump at the opportunity to expand their presence.

BetMGM Poker Tennessee

BetMGM has established itself as a household name in the regulated US online poker space, and the operator will likely be among the first to stake a claim in such an attractive new market.

We expect BetMGM Poker will bring out a platform similar to that in other states like PA, MI, and NJ. A poker client powered by the PartyPoker technology offers a modern and very reliable solution for all online poker fans, even if it is not as rich in functionalities as some other platforms.

In terms of game variety, players can look forward to a nice mix of online tournaments, a wide range of cash game stakes, and, in all likelihood, BetMGM Poker’s staple SPINS – a hugely popular sit & go variation featuring a random jackpot.

It is also likely that BetMGM Poker TN will come out of the gate swinging, offering a generous welcome bonus. With what’s likely to be heavy competition in the state, all sites will look for ways to stand out, and this is generally a good thing for the players.

PokerStars Tennessee

Although the company couldn’t enter the US before 2016, PokerStars has established itself as a staple name of online poker in the country, just like they have done in the global market.

Once the regulation is finally passed, the launch of PokerStars is pretty much a guarantee. This is especially true if the state passes a law with the expectation of joining the MSIGA, as the operator seems eager to take advantage of opportunities provided by interstate poker.

But even without that particular element, TN is a big enough market on its own.

What PokerStars brings to the table is the operator’s experience in organizing major online series, first and foremost. US versions of ‘COOP events have been hugely successful in all states where the site currently has a presence, and there is no reason to think Tennessee would be an exception.

PokerStars also offers one of the best software solutions for desktop computers and mobile devices alike. This enhances the player experience and certainly helps push the site towards the top of the list when deciding where to play.

WSOP Tennessee

The third TN poker site likely to go live as soon as legal requirements are met is WSOP.com. Right now, WSOP is the only operator present in all regulated US markets with active poker sites, and the company is on the constant lookout for expansion opportunities.

WSOP.com has one trump card that no other operators can match, which is its ability to host bracelet-awarding events and exclusive satellites to live World Series of Poker tournaments. This has helped the operator remain competitive across the country.

A launch in a new state would likely mean an exclusive bracelet series, giving players in the state great opportunities to win some WSOP silverware from the comfort of their home, and if past experience is any indicator, this is an opportunity that players jump on.

WSOP should have no problem claiming its fair share of the new market despite competitors, with the operators’ numbers surging during major live and online events.