Gambling Casinos Near Knoxville Tennessee

[toc]Tennessee is one of the more conservative states when it comes to gambling. There is a state lottery and daily fantasy sports (DFS), but no racetracks and no casinos.

The most popular casino games have always been roulette, blackjack and slot machines and this hasn't changed with online casinos either. Players also love some Casino Near Knoxville Tn of the newer casino games too like casino Hold'em along with some Casino Near Knoxville Tn of the classical favorites like baccarat. Casinos With Slot Machines in Knoxville on YP.com. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for the best Casinos in Knoxville, TN.

That could change thanks to a new bill introduced by five Democratic state representatives.

New casino bill called HJR 0109

The bill is known as House Joint Resolution 109.

It is a relatively short bill with a singular action, which is to replace language in the law offering state lotteries with new language which would allow for casino and games of chance in the state.

Tennessee began offering a lottery in 2003.

For years, Tennessee has been surrounded by states offering casinos. Tunica, Mississippi and Harrah’s Cherokee are just a couple of the gaming venues a short drive from the Tennessee border.

The resolution does not propose a framework or offer locations where casinos might be located. It is not the only state with minimal gambling considering expansion this year.

Hawaiirecently introduced legislation to possibly offer online gambling. A state senator in New Hampshirerecently re-introduced his proposal to allow casinos in the state as well.

State passed DFS legislation last year

In April of last year, Tennessee became the third state to explicitly legalize and regulate DFS. The law was somewhat surprising given that the attorney general of Tennessee wrote an opinion on DFS stating he interpreted it to be illegal.

The regulations also stipulated for a relatively low six percent taxation and no substantial licensing fee.

Tennessee tourism is booming

Tennessee tourism is a growing industry. The state generated $18 billion in 2015. Thanks to that revenue, $1.6 billion of that money went to the state in the form of taxes.

Compared to 2014, the 2015 numbers saw overall revenue grow by five percent and tax revenue grow by five percent.

The state’s two major cities, Nashville and Memphis, are both considered national music destinations. Artists Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley each built their own cottage industries within the state.

Attractions like the Smokey Mountains also bring people to the state.

The tourism stats indicate Nashville is the biggest destination in the state in addition to the most populous area. The nearest casino to Nashville is actually two states away.

Those seeking gambling need to drive over two hours across Kentucky into Illinois to get to the relatively small Metropolis, IL casinos.

Memphis is located less than an hour from Tunica, MS. That casino destination has struggled in recent years. Harrah’s Casino closed its doors in June of 2014. The area currently has a 30 percent poverty rate.

Casinos are failing to draw in as much money as in previous years and the structure of the taxation revenue stream has beencriticized for not directing enough funds towards social programs in the area.

It is unclear if the state would locate the casinos in proximity to the major cities or locate them in an area with a larger tourism influence like Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg.

Gambling Casinos Near Knoxville Tennessee Hotels

Image credit: Nagel Photography / Shutterstock, Inc.

• Year Tennessee Regulated Gambling: Lottery (2002)
• Estimated Tax Revenue from Gambling: $323 million
• Estimated Gambling Revenue: $930 million
• Tennessee Gambling Age: 18
• Smoking ban: Tennessee permits smoking anywhere minors are not permitted
• Online gambling status: There are no forms of legalized online gambling in Tennessee

There are no Tennessee casinos or gambling other than the state lottery. Charities may not hold bingo games but may spread low limit raffles for prizes but not cash. That is the only other form of gambling if you can call it that. There are, however, many event centers that will provide transport to casinos within nearby states.

Tennessee is a very conservative state. It was the 48^th state to legalize some form of gambling when voters approved a constitutional amendment to create a lottery in November 2002. Players looking for casino action on the west side of the state will need to go to Tunica, MS. Those on the east side of the state are within a couple of hours of one of the Harrah’s casinos in North Carolina. Nashville residents will need to drive north to Indiana, Ohio or Illinois.

There is no horse racing in Tennessee. Kentucky fills that void just to the north with live and off-track betting on horses. There are also instant racing machines at some Kentucky tracks. Below you will find a guide of Tennessee casino event centers that take gamblers to casinos in other states.

Paying Gambling Taxes in Tennessee

OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos has gathered everything you need to know about paying taxes on your gambling winnings straight from a Certified Public Accountant. For more information please visit our exclusive Gambling Taxes article.

Tennessee Casinos Map of Event Centers

• none

• Number of B&M Casinos: 0
• Number of Poker Rooms: 0
• Number of Indian Casinos: 0

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Type of Online Tennessee Gambling Allowed

There are no forms of legal online gambling in Tennessee. Daily fantasy sports sites operate in the state. The companies claim to fall under skill gaming exemptions. State law seems to contradict that, according to experienced gaming lawyers. The state legislature is looking to create a committee of nine members to investigate how to regulate the daily fantasy sports industry. In the meantime, sites like DraftKings, FanDuel, and CBS Sports accept players from the state.

Types of Live Tennessee Gambling

Gambling Casinos Near Knoxville Tn

• Casino Games: No
• Horses: No
• Lottery: Yes

The only form of legalized Tennessee gambling is a state lottery. Scratch-off and lotto tickets may be sold. This includes state drawings like Cash 3 and Cash 4, as well as interstate lottos like Mega Millions and Powerball.

There are three casino cities near Tennessee state lines. Tunica County, Mississippi has resort-style casinos with a full slate of games that include slots, video poker, live poker and table games. West Memphis, Arkansas has the same selection of games except that the poker room is digital. Harrah’s Cherokee is just east in North Carolina. Its two resorts offer slots, video poker, a digital poker room and table games.

Any resident of Tennessee that wants to play at these casinos can simply drive out to them. There are also Tennessee casinos services that transport players to and from these locations in neighboring states. For a small fee, players will get taken to these casinos that lie right on the Tennessee border.

Tennessee Gambling Laws

Gambling Casinos Near Knoxville Tennessee Near

Tennessee gambling in virtually all forms is banned. Tennessee gambling is defined as a game where money is risked where there is any degree contingent on chance. This is why daily fantasy sports experts think that those games are illegal in Tennessee. Most gambling crimes are misdemeanors.

The only game of chance legal in Tennessee is a lottery but only if it is operated by the state. Lottery players must be at least 18 years of age. The Tennessee Lottery may only offer instant scratch-offs and lotto games. Tickets may not be sold over the Internet.

Tennessee is one of just three states where charitable bingo is illegal. Utah and Hawaii are the other two states. Charities may hold an annual function with prizes held through raffles or a similar procedure. The annual event may not raise more than $5,000.

Gambling Casinos Near Knoxville Tennessee Restaurants

List of Tennessee Casinos

As there are no Tennessee casinos within the state border, players must look elsewhere to bet on regular casino games. However, the only places in Tennessee to gamble are the thousands of convenience stores that sell lottery tickets. Horse racing enthusiasts can travel to neighboring Kentucky for live and off-track action. Tennessee casino gamblers can go to Arkansas, Mississippi or North Carolina.

History of Tennessee Gambling

Bingo is illegal today in Tennessee, even for charities. It is one of just three states to do not permit it. That was not always the case.

Operation Rocky Top was an FBI sting that targeted the bingo industry. There were 300 bingo operations running in 1986 when a lawmaker approached the FBI saying he had been offered a bribe. State Rep. Randy McNally infiltrated the illegal bingo businesses that turned a game meant for charities into commercial operations. McNally was offered a $10,000 bribe to help push for horse racing in the state. In January 1989, the case was brought out in the open and indictments was unsealed. More than 50 people were convicted in Operation Rocky Top.

The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled on March 1, 1989, that bingo should have been illegal all along. The court stated that bingo, even for charities, violated the constitutional ban on lotteries.

Tennessee Casinos & Gambling FAQ

The only form of legalized gambling is a state lottery.

Scratch-off and lotto tickets are sold. This includes interstate jackpot games like Mega Millions and Powerball.

State law does not permit the sale of lottery tickets over the Internet.

Lottery players must be at least 18 years of age.

Many legal experts believe daily fantasy sports are illegal in Tennessee due to the “any chance” language in the state’s gambling law. This does not keep sites from operating in the state.

FanDuel and DraftKings are the two major sites that accept players from Tennessee.

There are no casinos in Tennessee. For those residents that still want to gamble have to go to nearby states.

South Land Park in West Memphis is right across the Mississippi River from Memphis. It offers slots, video poker, table games and a poker room. There are several resort casinos about 45 minutes south of Memphis in Mississippi.

The closest casinos to Knoxville and Chattanooga are the pair of Harrah’s Cherokee casinos in western North Carolina.

Tropicana Evansville in Indiana is the closest casino to Nashville.

No. All of these sites are unlicensed and illegal in the state.