The Sports Wagering Council (SWC) in Tennessee is doubling down on its commitment to a more secure and regulated sports betting scene, with new rules queued up to take effect starting June 30, 2025, that are aimed squarely at tightening the reins on how betting is done in the Volunteer State. In a press release issued by the SWC, Chair Billy Orgel highlighted that this is a concerted effort to revamp industry guidelines, with a proactive approach relying on public input to shape regulations that ensure a fair and transparent marketplace for consumers and businesses alike, "The SWC is committed to continuously improving its rules and regulations to ensure safety, fairness and transparency for the industry and playing public," Orgel said, praising the collaborative process.
Among the hard-hitting changes to hit the digital ledger is the implementation of multi-factor authentication (MFA) requirements and more robust checks to prevent fraudulent activities, these rules are published on the SWC's website and logged with the Secretary of State’s Office, faithful to their word, the council has been actively fighting against illegal offshore sportsbooks, kicking up enforcement efforts in the past six months to root out the likes of BetUS and MyBookie from Tennessee's digital turf.
From new definitions surrounding responsible gaming to detailed conditions on how and when wagers can be voided or canceled, the breadth of the revisions is telling of the SWC's determination to lay down the law on fair play. Operators are being roped into this bind, with an onus to separate risk management from their marketing functions, and players can expect their withdrawal requests to get side-eyed if there’s a whiff of unusual or suspect betting activity.
As the biggest online-only betting market in the U.S., witnessing over $4.7 billion in bets in the last fiscal year, Tennessee is setting a formidable precedent with these new regulations, particularly with the crackdown on underage gambling by mandating operators to act if they're privy to the fact that a payment method is linked to a minor under 21 years old, the provision is there built into the rule cement, reinforcing the barriers between kids and online betting arenas.
The SWC, serving as a regulatory guardian for the state’s betting industry, has its hands full ensuring compliance, carrying out investigations and enforcement, and overseeing the licensing and registration of betting operations.
