- TN HB 1 passed a House committee 12-5.
- Several changes have been made to the bill ever since it was introduced.
- Tennessee could be the first mobile-only sports betting state.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Tennessee sports betting bill passed a House Committee with a 12-5 vote last week.
A House committee passed TN HB 1 that will legalize and regulate sports betting in the state. Several changes were made to the bill ever since it was originally introduced.
Limiting College Betting
Local universities in Tennessee have raised concerns over college sports betting in several committee hearings. The officials say that college students could bribe an athlete during class to shave points.
The committees were initially not responsive to the concerns, but that has now changed. Several amendments were introduced that aims to protect college athletes from bribes. There is a ban on college athletes and some school officials and board members from placing their bets. College students and faculty with access to information are also not allowed to place their bets.
Another amendment that was approved is bettors are not allowed to bet on individual student athletes. Many sportsbooks in the country do not offer prop bets on college games unless it is a big-ticket game. Betting on college games is still on the table.
Only Allow Mobile Sportsbooks
One of the more interesting changes that TN HB 1 has gone through is the removal of brick-and-motor sportsbooks. This means that if the bill were to become law as it is, the only sports betting in Tennessee that would be available is online and on mobile devices.
Language from the land-based sportsbook section is still in the bill. Local communities will have a vote to decide whether or not they will allow sports betting in their area. But since land-based sports betting has been removed and the mobile option is statewide, it is unclear how the elections will really affect sports betting. Local elections might not be held due to this change.
TN HB 1 will also tax sports betting gross revenue at a 10 percent rate. Five percent of that tax revenue will go directly to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse to combat gambling addiction.
Tennessee is looking to be the first state with mobile-only sports betting along with having strong protections for college athletes. The bill will now head to the House Government Operations committee for consideration. The bill still needs to be passed on the general House floor and then go through the Senate before it will reach the governor's desk.