Tennessee has a very strict anti gambling attitude. There are no legal land based casinos ran either commercially or by Native Americans. The only gambling permitted in the state is through a lottery. Some hotels and companies offer casino style parties, where players can take part in casino games but not using real money. There is no sign of this changing anytime soon. As a result residents frequently cross border lines to Mississippi, Alabama and Kentucky to partake in casino games.

Available Casino Games in Tennessee

There are no casinos available in the state of Tennessee however there are casinos in nearby states such as Mississippi, Kentucky and Alabama. Visitors can play some of the most popular casino games such as blackjack, slots, roulettes, craps, minni-baccarat, and poker variation.

Biggest Tennessee Casinos

There are no casinos available in Tennessee, residents can travel across state lines to experience casino gambling in Alabama, Kentucky and Mississippi. The closest casino to most residents are in Tunica, Mississippi. One such casino is the Hollywood Casino which offers over 1,000 gaming machines, 24 table games with six dedicated poker tables. Below are some other casinos in Tunica close to the Tennessee border where residents can visit.

History of Casino Gambling in Tennessee

Tennessee has no history of casino gambling. At the turn of the 20th century horse racing was outlawed. There were no gambling opportunities in the state until 2002 when a lottery was voted in with the first games in 2004. More can be read about the lottery in Tennessee on our TN lottery page.

Casino Gambling Age in Tennessee

Tennessee has no casino gambling and therefore has no minimum age. The casinos in nearby states mostly have an age limit of 21 to take part in casinos. However, this age limit does not apply to all games within the casino and varies casino by casino. Underage gambling can cost financially, if caught a minor could face a fine and receive a criminal record. The fine could be hundreds of dollars. The minor is not the only one at risk, the parents of the minor can also face harsh penalties for allowing the gambling to take place. Often the casino employee can be fined as well.

• Online Casino Age
  There is no minimum age for gambling as casino gambling is illegal
• Alcohol Age
  The legal drinking age in Tennessee is 21 years old.
• Weed Age
  Recreational cannabis is not legal in Tennessee, there is no minimum age.

Responsible Gambling and Addiction Prevention

Although Tennessee does not have casino gambling, they do offer resources and help for gambling addiction. They hold counseling, treatment, self-help and support groups. There are several help lines that can be called and gamblers anonymous meetings. They are very proactive in that they believe that the answer to gambling addiction is in prevention. There is education and training provided aimed at pointing out the warning signs of an addiction problem.

Can I Play Without Deposit?

There are no opportunities to play without a deposit since Tennessee doesn’t have any operating online casinos. This shouldn’t stop you, however, as there are no deposit bonuses in other states which can be available for you as well. Those offers can be extremely helpful once you regsiter with a new operator, but take into consideration the fact that it might come with further terms and conditions attached to it.

Upcoming Casino Regulation and Expected Changes

Tennessee has no casinos and there is no movement towards changing this. The state and government appear to be content with the current situation. Law enforcement are very strict on illegal gaming. There is no appetite to change the current land based situation. There is movement in regards to online sports betting however, it is taking a long time to get off the ground. This could build momentum towards an online casino but is very unlikely. If anything changes in the future, we will be sure to keep you up to date.

Casino Guides for Nearby States

• Mississippi Lottery
• Alabama Lottery
• Kentucky Lottery
• Georgia Lottery