Tennessee sports betting market creates history

Tennessee’s sportsbooks enjoyed the best debut in the history of US legal sports betting, generating more in wagers in the market’s first month than any other state in history.

“The best-ever launch for online sports betting is perhaps a surprise to some, but Tennessee also debuted with enormously favourable circumstances, many of which came by design,” said Dustin Gouker, analyst for PlayTenn.com.

“First, it debuted in the heart of the NFL and college football seasons in a region that is particularly football crazy. And with the top operators in the country jumping in early to take advantage of the football season in full swing, it was a debut month like no other.”

Tennessee sportsbooks generated $131.4m in handle in November, according to official data released Wednesday by The Tennessee Education Lottery. That is easily the most in the history of US sports betting, shattering Indiana’s former record of $35.2m set in September 2019.