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You would think that a state bordered by Mississippi to the South and Kentucky, home of the country’s most prestigious horse racing event, to the North would boast a burgeoning casino and legal real money poker industry of its own but the Volunteer State really doesn’t have much of a real cash gambling scene. No such luck.
Fearing the corrupting effect gambling and real money poker betting might have on its socially conservative culture, the traditionally Red state of Tennessee has adopted a staunch anti-gambling stance, and for all intents and purposes it’s not likely to change its position on legit poker gambling anytime soon.
The Appalachian section of West Virginia (5 rooms) and North Carolina (1) is endowed with more than 70 poker tables. Apart from their obvious function of giving local players access to a wide range of different cash games and tournaments, these venues are very friendly and renowned as being ideal for socialites.
- Tennessee is considering it because of gambling expansion initiatives in other states. There are currently no poker rooms in Tennessee, according to PokerAtlas. Today, CardPlayer.com is the.
- Gated community!!! Safe Friendly environment to relax and play poker. Food & Drinks provided to guests.
With that said, there are some Tennessee state officials (all of them Democrats) in favor of exploring the benefits of regulated legal poker and casino gambling. However, even if a bill is passed that legalizes land-based casinos and real money poker rooms, the prospect of online poker and Internet poker betting ever being controlled by Tennessee’s state legislators are slim to none, and closer to none.
Unlike your neighbors to the North and South, punters in The Volunteer State will be able to enjoy the virtual green on most of our real money US poker sites.
Memphis Fights for Casino Gambling
Quick Jump
- 4 The Facts
No word on House Bill 603 or Senate Bill 691 has been heard since, leading one to believe that Tennessee’s ultra-conservatism ruled the day that real money poker betting was bad for the TN population. This comes as little surprise, as Senator Tate himself admitted that the legal gambling bill would probably not pass through legislators.
H.B 603 and S.B 691 are the latest in a long list of poker betting and gambling bills asking Tennessee state officials to weigh in on casino and poker gambling on games like Texas Hold’em poker. Early efforts date back to the 1980s, with the strongest push taking place in 1992 – the same year Tunica, Mississippi opened its first casinos and real cash poker venues.
Can Players from Tennessee Play Poker Online?
Nearby states, including Kentucky, have taken a vigorous anti-online gambling and Internet poker stance, and some US-facing sites have responded by not accepting real money poker players from these states. Yet Tennessee’s online poker community has a plethora of iGaming Internet poker website options.
In fact, all real cash US poker websites listed on our homepage are currently accepting poker gambling players from the Volunteer State. So just because you won’t be able to find a live real money poker room within Tennessee’s state confines, doesn’t mean you can’t hit the virtual Internet poker felt from the comfort of your own living room in TN.
- U. S. Poker Site
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Is Online Poker Legal in Tennessee?
Providing a clear-cut answer to this question of whether playing Internet poker for real money at poker websites in TN is legal can be tricky, if only because the state’s gambling and betting statues make no mention of computerized wagering or Internet poker. We know that Internet poker gambling is not regulated by the state of Tennessee, and that state officials generally frown upon gambling and poker betting related activities. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that online gaming and playing games like Texas Hold’em poker is illegal.
And while it’s best to seek legal advice regarding such matters, we’ve put together a list highlighting the most noteworthy aspects of Tennessee gambling and real money poker law [2]. Use it as a rough guideline, and if you want to read more, see our “References” section:
- Tennessee law defines gambling as risking anything of value, including real money, for a profit whose return is to any degree contingent on chance, or any games of chance associated with casinos, including, but not limited to, slot machines, roulette wheels and the like. Is it not clear whether the state considers real cash poker gambling to be a game of chance, or if it shares the same opinion of those who deem the lawful real money poker game to be largely based on skill. If we had to guess, we’d opt for the former.
- According to Section 39-17-502, anyone that knowingly engages in gambling is subject to a Class C misdemeanor. Notice the usage of word knowingly. Most serious real cash poker players do not consider playing real money poker to be gambling, and therefore may be able to use this clause to escape gambling charges.
- The penalty associated with promoting gambling or betting in TN is more severe than the one for partaking in it. Anyone that knowingly induces or aids another to engage in gambling and intends to derive or derives an economic benefit other than personal winnings from the gambling can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor.
- Investing in, financing, controlling or managing a gambling or betting enterprise carries the loftiest consequences. The offense for running even a small operation is a Class E felony.
The Facts
The History of Gambling in Tennessee
Like many anti-gambling states, Tennessee once hosted a thriving gambling and legit real money poker industry. As early as 1796, the year TN became a state, gambling and poker betting houses and saloons were a prominent part of Tennessee’s culture. Things remained this way throughout the duration of the 19th century and into the early 1900s. It was then that the state’s societal paradigm began to shift and poker gambling wasn’t looked upon so well.
Horse racing tracks did not have the financial resources to remain open, and were closed. By default, race gambling wagering was completely done away with. Charitable gambling and poker betting was also prohibited by state law.
But it wasn’t until 1949 that the real crackdown on gambling and real cash betting began. That year, U.S Senator and Tennessee native Estes Kefauver began a campaign to subdue organized crime, going as far as to ask the federal government to ban gambling and real money poker in Las Vegas. Of course, his efforts failed, but he did manage to rid most forms of gambling and lawful betting in his home state of TN.
Unlike most states, Tennessee law authorities take gambling and betting violations very seriously. Hundreds of gambling and real cash poker related arrests are made each year and underground real money poker games are raided frequently. However, no online poker related arrests have been recorded for people playing real cash Internet poker games in TN.
In recent years, Tennessee’s stance towards gambling and poker betting has loosened ever so slightly. In 2003, Tennessee was one of the last states to legalize a statewide real money lottery. Lawful real cash betting revenue generated from the lottery would be used strictly to fund education. The state of TN sold its first lotto tickets a year later and would eventually join a multi-state lottery pool.
Charitable raffles are also now legal, in so long as all real cash gambling proceeds go to education, but other forms of charitable gambling remain illegal.
Regulated Gambling Options in Tennessee
Tennessee natives looking for legit gambling and real money poker action are best served traveling to Tunica. The only regulated gambling or real cash betting options available to Volunteer State inhabitants are the aforementioned charitable raffles and three forms of the lottery.
Pari-mutuel wagering, sports betting, commercial and tribal casinos, bingo and casino nights, poker gambling and any other form of wagering on games of chance are not permitted in TN, nor will they be in the foreseeable future.
The Volunteer State does not seem interested in legalizing online poker, but those in Tennessee are still able to play online poker.
The Future of Regulated Online Gambling in Tennessee
We probably stand a better chance of beating Phil Ivey heads-up in a real cash poker game than Tennessee regulating online poker and Internet poker websites. With that said, it’s very well possible that TN state’s Democrats will continue to explore the viability of building land-based casinos and live poker betting rooms, but unless the balance of power in government shifts dramatically in TN, it’s unlikely any legal poker betting proposal will see the light of day.
Therefore, Tennessee’s best shot at legalizing online poker is through federally mandated Internet poker legislation.
Fun Fact
It’s somewhat ironic that the man who set off the real money poker boom hails from the state of Tennessee that frowns upon poker gambling. Chris Moneymaker [3], winner of the 2003 WSOP Main Event poker betting tournament, inspired a swarm of amateurs to give poker a try with Internet poker, and within three years entries into the Main Event increased tenfold.
More in line with one would expect from a Tennessee resident, TN Senator Bill Frist was a major proponent and influencing factor of the UIGEA of 2006 [4]. In the short term, the UIGEA would force several Internet poker companies, including Party Poker, out of the United States. More importantly, it initiated a string of events that would ultimately lead to Black Friday for poker websites. For instance, since 2006, entries into the WSOP Main Event have declined.
The Bottom Line
From the vantage point of most Tennessee gambling legislators, it really doesn’t matter if iGaming real money legal Internet poker succeeds in New Jersey, or if neighboring states build more brick and mortar casinos and live poker betting rooms: Tennessee wants little to do with the gambling and poker betting industry. Of course, anything is possible, and one economic windfall could certainly reignite talks in TN regarding alternative revenue streams. But barring a stunning turn of events, residents of Tennessee won’t be playing regulated online poker games at lawful Internet poker websites anytime soon. Which is unfortunate considering the state’s 6.5 million residents could certainly sustain a modest online real money Internet poker community.
References
[1] ↑Two Memphis lawmakers want to know if casinos are feasible in Shelby County
[2] ↑Tennessee Code: Tennessee Gambling Laws
[3] ↑Chris Moneymaker – Bio
[4] ↑Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 – Wikipedia
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If you’re an avid Texas holdem poker player and a
Tennessee native, you undoubtedly will be
disappointed that no live poker venues operate in the state. This is due to the
restrictive laws that are in place which disallow any casinos to operate, which
includes standalone card rooms as well.
You still have a few options in respect to playing poker in this state, as
well as some other forms of gambling that may satiate your appetite for poker in
between trips to the felt elsewhere. We’ll cover these options here and delve a
bit deeper in to the specific laws that operate in the state.
The Moneymaker Effect
First off, it’s important to note that one man from Tennessee was almost
solely responsible for the poker boom in the United States and across the world.
That man is Chris Moneymaker.
He won the World Series of Poker main event in 2003 after winning his seat in
a $86 satellite on Poker Stars. His last name is almost poetic in its
brilliance, and it’s his actual real name. This along with the fairy tale story
of an amateur winning the WSOP main event through a small buy in online made
everyone realize just how meteoric your rise could be playing poker.
Obviously, there were some other big players responsible for the poker boom,
but Chris Moneymaker will go down forever as the man that started it all. He’s
from Tennessee, but unfortunately, this fact hasn’t resulted in the state being
any more flexible in the way it goes about restricting poker and other forms of
gambling.
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Horse Racing and Lottery
Only two forms of gambling are permitted in the state of Tennessee. These are
wagering on horse racing, specifically using pari-mutuel systems, and buying
tickets in the state run and regulated lottery. Aside from this you can spend no
amount of money on a game where the outcome is determined by chance.
This encompasses poker, even though many die-hard players will argue it’s a
game of skill. It even is in place for fishing tournaments, which were deemed to
be illegal as they involved wagering money on the outcome.
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If fishing isn’t considered skillful then poker certainly won’t be. Once
again, because horse racing wagering and lottery are permitted, the state is
quite hypocritical in its approach to gambling. This is a real shame, but it
does mean the door might be slightly ajar for changes in the future.
The state run lottery allows residents to purchase tickets to major draws
like Powerball and Mega Millions. On top of this they also run pick 3 and 4
draws as well as some state specific events.
You can also buy scratch cards and some other forms of instant win games. All
profits from the lottery are directed into a fund that provides scholarships and
tuition for residents to attend college and universities.
Charitable organizations can also register to try and get a slice of the
action. This is wholly decided by the state though, and it will be quite tough
for an everyday charity to get in on this money. It’s a good initiative though.
Charity Gaming
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On top of the fact that charities can gain some proceeds from the lottery,
they can also apply to the local authorities to get a permit to run a bingo
game, or some other game of chance, to raise money. They can’t make any money
out of this operation in a commercial sense, but they can raise funds this way
to help their cause.
Although usually only bingo games will be approved for these purposes,
sometimes a charitable poker tournament could run. So, keep your eyes open for a
poker game running to raise money for a charity in your area.
Home Games
If you decide to run the risk and run a poker tournament or home game, you’ll
be in danger of being charged with a misdemeanour. If you go all out and try to
run a commercial operation that offers poker you’ll be charged with a felony.
So, as you can see it’s not a good idea to test the authorities in this
respect. Not many states have such harsh penalties and restrictive legislation
when it comes to gambling, so it’s best to be very careful in this respect.
If you want to run the risk and run a home game, or participate in one, or
even abide by the law and participate only in charity tournaments or games, the
main game will be no limit Texas holdem. This is by far the most popular game in
the United States and Tennessee is no different in this respect.
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You may be able to find the odd limit game from time to time, or even a
spread limit game, but all the charity tournaments will be no limit Texas
holdem. It’s just easier to run a poker tournament in this format and most
people participating will be well versed in this form of the game.
Online Poker
Online play is also not regulated in the state so you won’t find any online
poker rooms for Tennessee players. This also extends to online casinos. You can
still access and play on these through sites that accept US players, but you may
end up in trouble at the federal level for doing so.
The state doesn’t have specific legislation relating to online play, but they
do apply live play to online play in the same way. This is how they have chosen
to address it and implement the law. So, proceed with caution if you try to play
online poker or at an online casino through an off-shore site.
Aside from lottery, horse racing, and charity games, you won’t have many
other options when it comes to finding a live poker game and you may need to
travel to do so. Thankfully, some neighbouring states offer poker action and
depending where you are in Tennessee you may not have to travel too far to take
advantage of these.
Mississippi, Indiana, and Arkansas all have poker options available and
aren’t located too far from most places in the state. If you’re in the east of
the state you may need to do a little bit more travelling because North Carolina
and Virginia don’t have much in the way of poker rooms available.
This isn’t including Harrah’s Cherokee of course, but that’s quite a distance
from Tennessee even as the crow flies, let alone driving. So, while you do have
some good neighbouring options it will still take quite a bit of effort before
you’re sitting down in a poker room at a casino and getting some action.
Conclusion
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The future for poker and casinos in Tennessee doesn’t look that great.
Although gambling laws are softening across the entire United States, Tennessee
has yet to make any progress in this respect.
While some of the laws and rules around gambling are hypocritical, lawmakers
and authorities don’t seem to care too much about this and seem quite content
with how things are.
This may change as we see future generations move through government, but it
will still be quite a ways off. So, if you live in Tennessee and love Texas
holdem poker, you’re probably better off making a move to another state that has
truly embraced poker as part of its culture.