Tennessee files sports betting bill

A lawmaker has introduced a legislative piece ahead of the next 2019 session.

US.- Representative Rick Staples has pre-filed HB 0001, which would authorise sports betting in the state. If approved, the bill would dramatically change the gambling situation in the state, as it has historically opposed the modality.

The bill would impose a 10% tax on gaming revenue and would distribute 40% of the tax to the general fund for general appropriations, 30% to Tennessee colleges of applied technologies and community colleges for equipment and capital projects, and 30% to local governments for education and infrastructure.

Moreover, it would establish a Tennessee gaming commission to regulate sports betting. The abstract of the bill also detailed that it would authorise the commission to collaborate with the Tennessee bureau of investigation for purposes of enforcement.

Last month, the recently elected as Governor Bill Lee said that he wasn’t in favour of sports betting, as “organised betting can lead to organised crime.”