Prominent online sportsbook operators 7BALL FanDuel Group and DraftKings Incorporated have reportedly become among the first to be granted conditional licenses that will allow them to offer their services to punters in the southern American state of Tennessee.
According to a Wednesday report from local television broadcaster WXMI-TV, the pair have been joined by the mobile-friendly BetMGM service from the Roar Digital joint venture of MGM Resorts International and GVC Holdings in being authorized by the Tennessee Education Lottery’s Sports Wagering Committee and could now go live in ‘The Volunteer State’ from as soon as the first day of November.
Remote restriction:
The broadcaster reported that Tennessee passed legislation last year that is soon set to allow anyone in the state who is over the age of 21 to legally place wagers on a wide range of professional and collegiate sports using a computer or mobile device. This measure was purportedly approved despite concerted opposition from those who proclaimed legalization would lead to a rise in gambling addictions and as such did not sanction land-based sportsbooks.
Desirable destination:
WXMI-TV reported that the Sports Wagering Committee has so far approved 26 remote sportsbetting operator licenses along with an inaugural supplier authorization and is expecting to receive more applications in advance of the activity’s official November 1 launch date. The broadcaster detailed that last year’s legislation also did not place a limit on the number of such approvals but does require candidates to meet a range of regulatory requirements including that they prohibit athletes, referees and team owners as well as those who may be employed by an online sportsbook from placing wagers.