Tennessee lawmakers have taken another step toward banning sweepstakes casinos. On March 17, 2026, members of the House Departments & Agencies Subcommittee voted 8–0 to recommend HB 1885 for passage with amendment. The bill now moves to the House State & Local Government Committee for further review.
The vote is the latest sign that Tennessee is continuing its push against online sweepstakes-style casino platforms. If passed, the bill would give the state stronger legal tools to act against operators that offer casino-style games through virtual currencies and prize-redemption systems. For players, the biggest long-term impact could be more sites blocking Tennessee users or ending sweepstakes-style play in the state.
Where the Bill Stands Now
The newest movement came in the House, where HB 1885 advanced out of the Departments & Agencies Subcommittee on March 17. The subcommittee recommended the bill for passage with amendment and sent it to the full House State & Local Government Committee.
The Senate side has already moved earlier in the session. Tennessee’s companion bill, SB 2136, passed the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee by an 8–0 vote on February 24, then passed the full Senate by a 32–0 vote on March 2.
That means the proposal is now alive in both chambers. Tennessee still has more steps to complete before anything becomes law, but the unanimous votes so far show that lawmakers have been strongly supportive of the bill’s main goal.
What Tennessee Wants to Ban
The bill is written to target online sweepstakes games and other forms of online or app-based gambling that are not already legal in Tennessee.
A key part of the proposal is its definition of an online sweepstakes game. The bill focuses on online gambling that uses a virtual-currency system, including coins or tokens that may be purchased, earned through bonuses, or received through promotional offers. If that currency can then be exchanged for cash, prizes, cash equivalents, or a chance to win them, the bill treats the activity as unlawful.
That language is important because many sweepstakes casinos use this kind of model. They often say the games are promotional or social, but critics argue that the redeemable prize system makes them work too much like real gambling. Tennessee lawmakers appear to be trying to remove that gray area from state law.
The bill does not target everything connected to gambling. It specifically leaves room for legal activities already allowed in Tennessee, including the state lottery, regulated sports betting, fantasy sports, and certain nonprofit gaming activities. In other words, this is aimed at unlicensed online casino-style platforms, not all gaming in the state.
Why the Bill Matters
If the bill becomes law, one of the biggest changes would be in enforcement. The proposal says these activities would count as violations of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. That matters because it gives the state broader civil remedies, including possible injunctions, restraining orders, damages, and other legal actions.
The bill also expands the investigative authority of the Attorney General. Under the proposal, the attorney general could demand reports, request documents, and examine people under oath when investigating possible unlawful gambling activity. The bill also increases the authority of the state’s wagering regulator to investigate not just licensed companies, but other people or businesses connected to illegal gambling.
For operators, that means Tennessee could become an even tougher state to serve. A stronger legal framework may push some companies to block Tennessee users before the law even takes effect. For players, nothing changes immediately, but access may become more limited if operators begin preparing early.
Tennessee already showed its position in late 2025, when the state sent cease-and-desist letters to dozens of sweepstakes operators. This bill would go further by giving that crackdown a clearer legal foundation. After the latest House vote, Tennessee is now one step closer to making that tougher stance part of state law.