If you’re new to the world of sports betting, it might feel overwhelming to decide which sports to focus on. Sportsbooks often offer wagers on over a thousand matches and competitions; however, when you’re starting out, it’s usually a good idea to stick to what’s popular until you get the hang of how everything works. In this guide, I’d like to look at the top five sports that Tennessee players enjoy betting on the most, along with the leagues and teams that make them so exciting.
Choosing A Safe Sportsbook
Before jumping into this guide, I’d like to remind my readers always to choose a safe and regulated sportsbook to sign up with. When visiting sportsbooks recommended by reliable gambling comparison sites, such as Tennessee.Bet, you can rest assured that they’re regulated. This way, you can rest assured that your rights as a player are protected.
Here are some of the features you can expect when playing at sportsbook licensed by the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council:
- Responsible Gaming Tools: Access to deposit limits, wager limits, reality-checks, and the option to self-exclude
- Secure Payment Options: Selection of trusted payment solutions such as Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Apple Pay
- Customer Support: A dedicated support team that’s there to help you in case of any issues
- Data Security: Top-notch security features ensure that all your data is encrypted and never falls into the wrong hands
Remember, if you or anyone you know has a problem with gaming, you can reach out to organizations such as NCP Gambling.
NFL
There’s one sport that remains incredibly popular in Tennessee time and time again, and that’s football. Unsurprisingly, NFL betting takes the lead here, primarily due to the Tennessee Titans, who have a large fan base in the state. Indeed, it’s no surprise that NFL games see a surge in wagers every week, especially on game days.
A variety of bet types are offered when it comes to NFL betting, such as point spreads, money lines, over/under totals, prop bets, and futures. During the season, sportsbooks offer odds on every game, including preseason, regular season, and postseason games.
This wide variety of betting options makes this game very exciting to bet on, keeping bettors engaged throughout the whole season.
NBA
Basketball is also very popular in Tennessee, largely thanks to the Memphis Grizzlies, who are the state’s hometown and only NBA team. You simply must step into the FedExForum, the team’s home area, to understand how important the Grizzlies are to locals.
When betting on the NBA, you can choose from money lines, point spreads, parlays, over/under, and many others. There’s also the opportunity to make more specific wagers, such as which player will score the first basket or how many points a player will collect. The NBA season is long, and games happen almost daily during the regular season, giving bettors plenty of opportunity to place wagers.
College Football
There’s a strong college football tradition in Tennessee, with many universities forming part of the state’s rich football culture. One of the most popular teams is the University of Tennessee, also known as the Volunteers, and they garner a lot of attention from fans and bettors when they play.
There is a lot of rivalry that arises when certain matchups take place, making it an exciting sport to bet on for many people. Typical markets here include point spreads, totals, money lines, and futures on who will win conferences or the national championship.
Please note that college prop bets and live betting are not permitted in Tennessee; however, the regular season still brings plenty of games to wager on each week.
College Basketball
Just like football, college basketball also has a strong following in Tennessee. Teams such as the Memphis Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers are supported by many locals, and they continue to bring in new fans every season. In recent years, both teams have achieved big things, and each program continues to improve year after year.
When it comes to college basketball, you can place wagers on point spreads, futures, over/under, and totals, among others. There are hundreds of games each season, giving bettors plenty of options. During tournament time—March Madness—sportsbooks offer odds on who will win each region, who will make the Final Four, and who the final winner will be.
Again, keep in mind that just like for college football, live betting and prop bets on college basketball games are prohibited by Tennessee law.
NHL
Although not as popular as football and basketball, NHL betting has also seen a rise in Tennessee in recent years, and much of that is thanks to the Nashville Predators. As the team receives more support over the years, many locals have taken an interest in hockey, and now, many Tennessee sportsbooks offer a wide range of betting options for this game.
Some of the most popular bets here include money line bets, puck lines (which are like point spreads), and player props. You can also make bets on events in the game, such as which team will score first or how many total goals will be scored in a specific period.
With each team playing 82 regular-season games, the NHL provides countless betting opportunities.
Final Thoughts
The sports scene in Tennessee is exciting and ever-changing, and if you’re over 21 years old, there’s plenty of matches and leagues to explore. Always remember to bet responsibly and make sure to only bet at a regulated sportsbook recommended by trusted sources. This way, you can place wagers with complete peace of mind.
