Tennessee’s been happy with online betting since 2020, just not the sweepstakes kind. SB 2136 kicked in on May 22, 2026, with no phaseout. All the sites we found worth playing were gone the same day. Essentially, any sweepstakes casino still taking your TN signup is breaking the law.
Our page explains what happens to your old accounts and what you can legally play now. We also list all the operators that have left.
Tennessee closed the door on sweepstakes casinos twice, and the second time, it nailed it shut with a new law. In December 2025, Attorney General (AG) Jonathan Skrmetti sent out cease and desist letters to approximately 40 sites, and most folded within weeks. Then, in May 2026, Governor Bill Lee signed SB 2136, turning that enforcement push into a statutory ban that took effect on May 22. All the big brands packed their bags in a hurry and had vanished before the ink dried.
For now, you won’t find a clean, law-abiding site that will accept you. Any site that still does so is operating illegally, not just elegantly skirting state law.
Read the first table to learn how the law stands, and read the second table to learn what options are left for you as a Tennessee player.
| Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Tennessee? | No. Tennessee passed a sweepstakes ban (SB 2136) that took effect May 22, 2026. |
| What did the state do before the ban? | In December 2025, AG Jonathan Skrmetti sent cease-and-desist letters to approximately 40 operators citing Tennessee’s gambling and consumer protection laws. All recipients agreed to comply. |
| What does the new law say? | SB 2136 explicitly bans dual-currency online sweepstakes platforms. It codifies what the AG was already doing through enforcement. |
| What’s the legal basis? | The Tennessee Constitution prohibits lotteries (Article XI § 5). The AG cited this constitutional prohibition along with state gambling and consumer protection statutes. |
| What about free social casinos (Gold Coins only)? | Social casinos can still operate in Tennessee since they don’t offer prize redemption. The ban targets the dual-currency model where Sweeps Coins can be cashed out. |
| What can I legally play in Tennessee? | Online sports betting (legal since 2020), the Tennessee Lottery, and charitable bingo and raffles. No casinos are legal in Tennessee. |
| Can I sign up to a sweepstakes site in Tennessee? | No. Major brands block Tennessee at signup. The ban became legal on May 22, 2026. |
| Will I get in trouble as a player? | No. Tennessee has not charged any player for sweepstakes participation. Enforcement targets operators, not players. |
| What about an existing account if I had one? | Major operators closed Tennessee accounts during the wind-down period in early 2026. If you have an unredeemed balance, contact the operator directly. |
| Will a VPN help? | Nope. Sites verify your location at every login and close accounts that try to mask it. Using one also adds to your legal exposure under the new ban. |
| What if my account or balance disappears? | Limited recourse. With operators having exited, your options are the operator’s own dispute process or a federal complaint to the FTC. |
| Do I owe taxes on past winnings? | Yes, federal only. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages, so only federal tax applies. Report on Schedule 1 . |
Operators that have already left Tennessee
Look how the legal situation looks like in Tennessee’s neighboring states.
