The Tennessee General Assembly is considering banning online sports betting on public college campuses across the state.

In 2019, the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act legalized wagering on athletic events in the state. Now, that access could be limited depending on where a bet is placed.

In early 2026, Sen. Jeff Yarbro and Rep. John Ray Clemmons introduced companion bills that would effectively prohibit digital sports wagering on higher education campuses. The proposal would also apply to athletic venues and certain satellite facilities.

While this bill failed in the House Departments & Agencies Subcommittee of the State & Local Government Committee on March 3, it has since been referred to the Senate State and Local Government Committee.

If the legislation advances out of the Senate committee and is approved on the Senate floor, it will then be sent to the House for consideration and a vote. This indicates that the bill still has a viable path forward and could ultimately be passed.

Why lawmakers are concerned

The widespread participation in sports betting among college-aged individuals has raised concerns among researchers and public health experts.

According to a study conducted by the Journal of Gambling Studies, evidence shows gambling can be extremely addictive and cause negative consequences, including feelings of anxiety, guilt and pressure.

“What we’re looking at is the total normalization of a known addictive product,” Harry Levant, current director of gambling policy at Northeastern University School of Law’s Public Health Advocacy Institute, said in a Harvard Law article. “Does it get any more normalized than when a 9-year-old child visits Fenway Park and sees MGM and DraftKings on the Green Monster?”

The bigger sports betting controversy

Lawmakers have not publicly stated whether mental health concerns directly prompted the bill proposal, or whether it is related to recent NCAA betting scandals reported by national sports outlets.

The Associated Press has reported investigations into cases where athletes were allegedly paid to underperform and influence game outcomes.

This controversy highlights the challenges of universities policing sports betting, particularly when student-athletes and fans have access to digital platforms that make wagering easier.

By the numbers

A 2023 National Collegiate Athletic Association study found that 67% of individuals living on a college campus while pursuing a degree reported betting on sports.

Tennesseans placed more than $5.87 billion in sports bets in 2025, generating about $107.6 million in tax revenue for the state.

Tennessee previously taxed sportsbooks 20% of gross gaming revenue, though the state switched to a 1.85% tax on total wagers in 2023. This system is utilized for public funding and is a relatively consistent form of state income.

A complicated gambling landscape

The proposal would affect fans attending collegiate sporting events who wish to place bets while on campus property in addition to students.

Under Tennessee Code, operating a casino or gambling activity for profit is a criminal offense. As a result, the state’s only forms of legal wagering are the Tennessee Lottery, which funds higher education scholarships, and online sports betting.

While lawmakers are considering restrictions for online sports betting on college campuses, the state continues to generate revenue from other forms of legalized gambling.

Enforcement challenges

Some students argue that enforcement of this bill could prove difficult.

In 2019, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed legislation that restricted public universities from allowing access to foreign-owned social platforms. As a result, institutions have banned popular apps, like TikTok, on Wi-Fi networks. However, students have continued to access the platform using cellular data and virtual private networks.

“The ban hasn’t really affected me at all,” Brooklyn McCorkle, a freshman studying agricultural leadership, education and communications, said. “I think people will find a way around anything that they don’t agree with.”

The proposal raises questions about how restrictions on sports wagering would be enforced if the legislation passes.

While the bill does not outline penalties for individuals placing bets, it requires betting operators to block access in restricted locations.

The legislation states that all online gambling licensees “shall prohibit such access at the sports venue for the entire calendar day on which such sport or sporting event is conducted.”

If approved, the geographical restrictions would apply to colleges, universities and digital sports betting platforms.