Tennessee Hopes for Fall Sports Bet Launch

During the Tennessee Education Lottery Corp. board meeting via teleconference on May 13, the agency expressed hope it could launch sports betting in the fall. The hope is that something substantial exists to bet on.

Little was said about the application process, which the lottery expects to result in licensing of mobile sportsbooks this summer. According to Rebecca Hargrove, CEO of the lottery, the agency has fielded some 80 questions about the process, but she declined to discuss how many applications came in.

Corporation Chair Susan Lanigan said that in the coming weeks the lottery may need to reconvene its Sports Wagering Advisory Council to discuss outstanding issues. The 2019 sports betting law created a nine-member advisory council designed to help the lottery craft regulations and get the system launched.

Delays in the process had little impact given the cessation of most sports due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to TNBets.

Questions about a required hold percentage continues to dog the process, however, and if not resolved could sink Tennessee sports betting before it even starts.

Recent Articles

History Playbook

On This Day In Sports History

On August 23, 2017, Dodgers starter Rich Hill lost both a no-hitter and the game on a single pitch in a 1-0 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park. Hill carried a perfect game into the 9th inning before an error broke it up, though he retired the next three batters to keep the no-hitter intact. Returning for the 10th inning in a scoreless tie, Hill surrendered a walk-off home run on a 2-1 pitch to Pittsburgh leadoff hitter Josh Harrison.

On This Day In Sports History

On August 22, 1951, St. Louis Browns pitcher Tommy Byrne tied a major league record by issuing 16 walks in a 3-1, 13-inning loss to the Boston Red Sox at Sportsman's Park. Byrne faced 63 batters, struck out five, left 22 men on base, and even drove in St. Louis's only run with a fifth-inning double. Boston secured the victory in the top of the 13th behind a Ted Williams single and four two-out walks, including a bases-loaded pass to opposing pitcher Leo Kiely, who pitched 12 1/3 innings for the win.