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Tennessee
Sports betting generates $236M for Tennessee since legalization in 2019
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — It’s been five years since Tennessee lawmakers rolled the dice and passed a bill legalizing online sports wagering, and since then, more than $13 billion gross wagers have been made with nearly $240 million of that money going back into the state.
Before the law passed making sports betting legal, lawmakers said an estimated $3 billion was being illegally wagered in the state. The law legalizing sports wagering established protections for consumers and a way for Tennessee to cash in on sports entertainment.
“We already have billions of dollars that leave the state going to other states that have casino gambling, so here’s a chance to do in-state sports betting that would capture dollars,” Rep. Rick Staples, (D-Knoxville) told News 2 in late 2018.
After sportsbooks went live in Nov. 2020, there were already millions of dollars in wagers being made, according to the executive director of the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council, Mary Beth Thomas.
“Since that time, we have seen growth in both the number of participants and the volume of betting,” Thomas said. “Tennesseans are clearly enjoying sports betting.”
At last check, there were around 1.5 million open betting accounts in Tennessee, and more than $13.25 billion in gross wagers made.
Nearly $240 million of that money, called the privilege tax, has been reinvested back into the state. Eighty percent of the money funds the HOPE Scholarship, 15% goes to local governments for infrastructure projects and emergency services, and 5% goes to the TN Dept. of Mental Health for responsible gaming initiatives and treatment.
“That provides a lot of scholarship money and a lot of help to local governments that would like a boost to their funding for important projects that they have,” Thomas said.
While the economic impact of sports wagering is apparent, another goal in legalizing sports betting was to ensure consumers are protected and the sportsbooks licensed through the state are following the rules.
Thomas told News 2 the recent audit of the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council by the Comptroller’s Office was clean with no findings, which is proof the state’s regulations on sports wagering are working.
“I think that Tennessee has done a great job at balancing the interest in sports wagering and our need to regulate it in a fair and transparent manner so that Tennesseans have comfort that the sportsbooks that are licensed by the state of Tennessee are adhering to the law and doing the right thing,” Thomas said.
Sportsbooks that advertise are required to include gambling addiction resources in their ads. That could include the Tennessee REDLINE or 1-800-GAMBLER. In addition, the service, self-exclusion allows gamblers to voluntarily opt out of gambling, either temporarily or permanently, by filling out a form through the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council or through a sportsbook.
⏩ Read today’s top stories on wkrn.com
Thomas added the University of Memphis Gambling Clinic is another option where patients struggling with gambling addiction can receive treatment through telehealth or in-person appointments.
Tennessee
Things to do in the Chattanooga area this week include Chickapalooza, Amy Grant, Summerween | Chattanooga Times Free Press
COMEDY
‘The Muslims are Coming’
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Where: The Comedy Catch, 29 Station St.
Cost: $23 for general admission
More info: Showcase of Muslim (and non-Muslim) comedians.
thecomedycatch.com
FILM
‘Toy Story 5’
When: 6:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday
Where: Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater, 201 Chestnut St.
Cost: $15 for general admission
More info: Latest installment in the long-running Pixar franchise about the lives of childhood toys.
tnaqua.org/imax
Bobby Stone Film Series
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave.
Cost: $13.50 for general admission
More info: Screenings include: “Resurrection” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, “Rear Window” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and “The Sparks Brothers” at 4 p.m. Sunday.
tivolichattanooga.com
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‘Supergirl’
When: 5 and 7:15 p.m. Friday-Sunday
Where: Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater, 201 Chestnut St.
Cost: $15 for general admission
More info: Summer blockbuster about Superman’s cousin, Supergirl.
tnaqua.org/imax
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Movie night
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Chester Frost Park, 7872 Causeway Road
Cost: Free
More info: Hamilton County Parks and Recreation hosts a free movie night screening of “Finding Nemo.” Includes games, vendors and more.
facebook.com
MUSIC
Ramsey & Broemel
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Songbirds, 206 W. Main St.
Cost: $30 in advance
More info: Musicians Tyler Ramsey and Carl Broemel from Of My Morning Jacket performs.
venue.songbirds.org
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Fielder
When: 6 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Woodshop, 5500 St. Elmo Ave.
Cost: $13 for general admission
More info: Nashville-based duo Fielder performs.
thewoodshoplisteningroom.com
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Chris Knight
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Songbirds, 206 W. Main St.
Cost: $30 in advance
More info: Kentucky native Chris Knight performs.
venue.songbirds.org
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Barkley Cove
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: The Woodshop, 5500 St. Elmo Ave.
Cost: $10 for general admission
More info: Folk ensemble Barkley Cove performs.
thewoodshoplisteningroom.com
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Nightfall
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Miller Plaza, 850 Market St.
Cost: Free admission
More info: Free summer concert series Nightfall continues, with The 42 as opener and Zach Person as headliner. Also features food trucks and market vendors.
nightfallchattanooga.com
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Chelsea Drugstore
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Songbirds, 206 W. Main St.
Cost: $15 in advance
More info: Chelsea Drugstore, a tribute to the Rolling Stones, performs.
venue.songbirds.org
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R&B vs. Hip Hop
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St.
Cost: $15 in advance, $20 day of show
More info: DJ experience, pitting R&B against Hip Hop.
barrelhouseballroom.com
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Struggle Jennings
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: The Parlour at The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave.
Cost: $24.50 for general admission
More info: Grandson of Waylon Jennings, Struggle Jennings, performs.
thesignaltn.com
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KPop Demon Hunters
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Parlour at The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave.
Cost: $25 for general admission
More info: Family friendly DJ experience, featuring the music of the hit Netflix animated film.
thesignaltn.com
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Riverfront Nights
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Ross’s Landing, 201 Riverfront Parkway
Cost: Free
More info: Free summer concert series Riverfront Nights continues for the 2026 season. Sloppy Street Tacos opens, and Jump, a tribute to Van Halen, headlines.
riverfrontnights.com
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Paul McDonald
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Songbirds, 206 W. Main St.
Cost: $20 in advance
More info: Paul McDonald and the Mourning Doves performs.
venue.songbirds.org
–––
Amy Grant
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave.
Cost: $61+
More info: Singer-songwriter Amy Grant performs.
tivolichattanooga.com
OUT & ABOUT
Nooga Splash
When: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays
Where: Chester Frost Park, 2389 Gold Point Circle N.
Cost: $14+
More info: Floating water park Nooga Splash continues for the summer season. Main season operating hours continue through Aug. 4.
noogasplash.com
–––
Family Potluck
When: 4-9 p.m. Monday
Where: Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave.
Cost: Free
More info: Post Nuclear Family Potluck, an all-ages chosen family potluck. Features games, dinner and a movie.
barkinglegs.org
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Battle of Badges
When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday
Where: Walker County Sheriff’s Office, 105 S. Duke St., LaFayette
Cost: Free
More info: Walker and Catoosa county Sheriff’s Offices host a blood donation drive.
donor.bloodassurance.org
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Farmers market
When: 3-6 p.m. Thursday
Where: Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St.
Cost: Free admission
More info: Farmer and farmer-adjacent vendors at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
facebook.com
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River market
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays
Where: Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, 1 Broad St.
Cost: Free admission
More info: Chattanooga River Market continues, featuring various vendors. Market open Saturdays only from April-October.
chattanoogamarket.com
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Chickapalooza
When: 10 a.m.-sunset Saturday
Where: Gordon Lee Mansion, 217 Cove Road, Chickamauga
Cost: Free admission
More info: Chickapalooza Art and Music Festival, featuring a lineup of live music, artists, food and more.
facebook.com
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History program
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Point Park, 110 Point Park Road, Lookout Mountain, Tenn.
Cost: $10 park entrance fee
More info: Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park hosts program about the forces that created the mountains and ridges of the Tennessee River Valley.
nps.gov/chch
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Radio Field Day
When: 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Where: Chattanooga Valley Lions Club, 265 South Ave., Flintstone
Cost: Free
More info: Tri-States Amateur Radio Club hosts an amateur radio field day, showcasing how the technology works.
ag4dw@arrl.org
–––
Summerween
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Patten Square, 818 Georgia Ave.
Cost: Free
More info: Celebrate Halloween in the Summer at Summerween, featuring costume contests, a watermelon-carving contest, live music and more.
rivercitycompany.com
SPORTS
Lady Red Wolves
When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: CHI Memorial Stadium, 1 Stadium Way
Cost: $10+
More info: Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves take on the Southern Soccer Academy.
chattanoogaredwolves-sc.com
–––
Lookouts
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday
Where: Erlanger Park, 2658 Pipe Way
Cost: $7+
More info: Chattanooga Lookouts take on the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Promotions include: World Soccer Night and Las Montanas de Chattanooga on Tuesday, a blanket giveaway on Wednesday, a cell phone bag giveaway, drink specials and Never Text and Drive Night on Thursday, Unum Night and fireworks on Friday, Dino Weekend and a pre-game concert on Saturday and Dino Weekend and a canned food drive on Sunday.
mlb.com/milb/chattanooga
–––
Football Club
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Finley Stadium, 1826 Reggie White Blvd.
Cost: $8+
More info: Chattanooga Football Club takes on the Chicago Fire Football Club.
chattanoogafc.com
THEATER & ARTS
Dungeons and Drag-ons
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave.
Cost: $15 for general admission
More info: Dungeons and Dragons-inspired drag showcase for ages 13 and older.
barkinglegs.org
______
Have an upcoming event? Email calendar@timesfreepress.com to be considered for one of our listings or go to timesfreepress.com/calendar for immediate posting online.
Sam Still
Sam Still is the outdoors reporter for the Chattanooga Times Free Press. In this role, Sam focuses on stories about people and their relationship to the regional environment. Sam began his journalism career as an intern for the Times Free Press, writing for the lifestyle publication Chatter Magazine. He joined the newspaper full-time in summer 2023. He received a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he was a staff writer and assistant news editor for the university’s student newspaper, The Echo. He is originally from Cleveland, Tennessee.
Tennessee baseball received a commitment from UC Irvine pitcher Ricky Ojeda on June 19.
Ojeda, who is eligible for the MLB draft in July, announced his decision on social media. He visited Tennessee on June 15-16.
The lefthanded Ojeda had a strong 2026 season primarily as a reliever, posting a 3.77 ERA with 62 strikeouts and 20 walks in 62 innings. In 2025, he became the first reliever to be named Big West Pitcher of the Year after going 13-1 with a 3.55 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 66 innings, which also earned him a third-team all-American nod from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Perfect Game.
Whether Ojeda makes it to Tennessee remains an open question. Perfect Game ranked him as the No. 179 prospect for the draft. That would place him in the sixth round.
Should Ojeda join the staff, however, he would instantly become one of the team’s top options out of a bullpen that struggled immensely in 2026. The pitching staff is also under new leadership under pitching coach Austin Knight, who was hired from ECU.
Ojeda is the fourth player to announce they will transfer to Tennessee this offseason, joining two-way Mercer transfer Braydon Kersey, Northwestern State pitcher Brody Trosclair and Air Force infielder Wyatt Hanoian.
Who’s leaving Tennessee baseball
- UTL Jay Abernathy (Oklahoma)
- RHP Nic Abraham
- INF Ariel Antigua (Arizona)
- INF Finley Bates
- RHP Ari Bethea
- OF Hutson Chance
- RHP Sawyer Deering (San Diego State)
- OF Nate Eisfelder
- 1B Evan Hankins (Virginia Tech)
- UTL Hunter High
- RHP Brayden Krenzel (Arkansas)
- INF Manny Marin
- INF Ethan Moore (Missouri)
- UTL Chris Newstrom
- LHP Taylor Tracey
- C Cash Williams (West Virginia)
Who’s joining Tennessee baseball
- RHP/DH Braydon Kersey
- LHP Brody Trosclair
- INF Wyatt Hanoian
- LHP Ricky Ojeda
Emmett Siegel covers Tennessee baseball for Knox News. Email: emmett.siegel@knoxnews.com; X: @EmmettSiegel_
JACKSON, Tenn. (WBBJ) – An exciting day of sporting clays in West Tennessee is doubling as a major fight against hunger.
Today’s “Shooting Hunger” event took place at the Carroll County Shooting Sports Park in Huntingdon. It’s a partnership between Tennessee Farm Bureau, Tennessee Farmers Co-Op, Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural First.
Since 2015, Shooting Hunger has helped provide more than three million meals to Tennesseans with money going to food banks, backpack programs, and local hunger relief. A $500 scholarship will also go to the top youth shooter in each flight.
“We’re joining together to raise money for school backpacks to feed hungry kids. We do these, we actually do three of these across the state of Tennessee so at the end of the day we take, we take all the money we put it into a pile and when we divide equally amongst all 95 counties across the state of Tennessee,“ said Bryan Wright, executive vice president for the Tennessee Farm Bureau.
Organizers say events like this matter because one in six children in Tennessee struggle with hunger.
Copyright 2026 WBBJ. All rights reserved.
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