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Baba Casino and Rebet Staying remain among the only sweepstakes casinos still operating in Tennessee as lawmakers in the Volunteer State look to ban these platforms.
The state’s Attorney General, Jonathan Skrmetti, has sent out around 40 cease and desist letters already, including to both Baba Casino and Rebet.
Skrmetti has supported the legislation to further clarify that the dual-currency gambling sites are illegal.
On Tuesday, the House Departments & Agencies Subcommittee voted 8-0 in favor of HB1885, which now advances to the House State & Local Government Committee.
As introduced, HB1885 designates illegal gambling and related activities as a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act; expands the authority of the sports wagering council to investigate illegal gambling and gaming activity; expands the investigative authority of the attorney general and reporter to investigate unlawful activity within the purview of the attorney general and reporter. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 4, Chapter 49; Title 8, Chapter 6, Part 4; Title 40, Chapter 2 and Title 47.
A companion piece of legislation, Senate Bill 2136, was unanimously approved a few weeks ago.
The AG's office contends that sweepstakes casinos are an illegal form of gambling that utilizes a dual currency model known as Gold Coins or Sweep Coins while allowing redemptions for cash or prizes. As such, Skrmetti says that they function in the same capacity as an illegal lottery under the Tennessee Constitution.
To date, 36 sweepstakes casino platforms now list Tennessee as a restricted territory,
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
