Individuals wagering with unlicensed sportsbooks do not have consumer protections
The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWC) is reminding everyone before the Super Bowl that wagering with an unlicensed sportsbook by anyone of any age while located in Tennessee is illegal.
The SWC is working closely with its network of law enforcement at the state and federal level to eradicate illegal sportsbooks, such as BetOnline.ag; BetUs.com.pa; MyBookie.ag; and Sportsbetting.ag. Bovada.lv is currently restricted in Tennessee after cease and desist letters were issued and the company was fined $50,000.
Illegal sportsbooks can often be identified by these factors, all of which are illegal in Tennessee:
- Extending credit
- Wagering with cryptocurrency
- Offering casino games, such as slots or online poker, or chance-based wagers, such as the coin toss or the color of the Gatorade
“Illegal offshore sportsbooks often look legitimate with professional websites and apps with star athletes promoting them, but wagering through their platforms takes a Tennessee bettor to the next level of potential trouble because the bettor is moving money across state and international borders to place wagers, violating state and federal law,” Executive Director Mary Beth Thomas said. “Additionally, if an individual wagers with unlicensed sportsbooks, his or her sensitive financial and personal information may not be protected and could even be shared with criminal enterprises. The bettor’s money could also be withheld or disappear without a way to recover it.”
Licensed online sportsbook operators provide important player protections not found in the illegal market, including protecting consumers, holding reserves to pay wagers and keeping personal information secure.
“If you choose to wager, make sure you wager legally,” Thomas added. “Check our website for sportsbooks with active licenses in Tennessee, and remember that just because you can visit a site or download the app inside Tennessee’s borders does not mean it is a legitimate business licensed here with available consumer protections
Licensed sportsbooks must also follow certain restrictions under state law, such as prohibiting individuals under 21 years old from wagering and refusing to allow wagering on credit. Tennessee is the largest “online-only” sports betting market in the U.S., with more than $4.5 billion a year wagered in Tennessee through online sportsbooks licensed by the SWC.
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