Tennessee on the Way to Becoming First Mobile Only Sports Betting State

Lawmakers voted 58-37 to approve a sports betting bill that could make Tennessee the first state to offer mobile sports betting without any retail outlets such as sports books located at race tracks or casinos.

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Prefiled back in November, the legislation is sponsored by Rep. Rick Staples (D-Knoxville) and calls for the mobile platform to be regulated by the state lottery.

Tennessee would tax operators above what is expected to be the national average (closer to 10%) at 22.5 percent.

It remains to be seen as to whether Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, a Republican, will sign off on the legislation.  Lee initially opposed legalized sports betting.

Any legislation must be signed into law by May 15.

- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com