More Sweepstakes Sportsbooks Leaving Tennessee

The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council announced that KicKr and ReBet, two sweepstakes sportsbooks, have left Tennessee after receiving a cease-and-desist letter.

Additionally, according to Sweepsy, Thrillzz also left the state, starting on Oct. 29. 

With these platforms leaving, the total now stands at five, which have departed since April. The other two were Legendz and Sportzino. 

Tennessee Sports Wagering Council Press Release

In a press release, the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council announced that KicKr and ReBet were leaving and also mentioned an offshore platform, BetWhale.ag. 

BetWhale.ag was fined $50,000. 

“We encourage all Tennessee sports betting customers to remember it is important to use legal, licensed sportsbooks to protect your own personal and financial information,” Mary Beth Thomas, the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council Executive Director, said in a statement. “Access to a website or an app does not mean the sportsbook has been licensed to operate here, and consumers can check the SWC website at www.tn.gov/swac/licensees-registrants.html for a complete list of sportsbooks licensed to do business in Tennessee.”

Interestingly, Thrillzz wasn't mentioned in the press release, though it would make sense that perhaps Thrillzz received a cease-and-desist or could feel that one would be coming sooner rather than later, so why not cut the cord now?

That said, KicKr and ReBet also offer sweepstakes casino games, and Thrillzz doesn't, so perhaps shutting down KicKr and ReBet was a higher priority for the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council.

Updated Excluded States list for Each Platform

With the Tennessee exits, here's an updated list of the excluded states for KicKr, ReBet, and Thrillzz:

• KicKr: Connecticut, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Washington.
• ReBet: Arizona, Connecticut, Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, and New York. 
• Thrillzz: Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee, and Washington. 

While KicKr and ReBet don't list Tennessee yet, it will be added soon. 

Plenty of Platforms Leaving California

In other "sweepstakes platform exiting news," there are now nine sweepstakes casinos that have left California ahead of the Jan. 1, 2026 ban: High 5, Carnival Citi, Ruby Sweeps, Dara Casino, SweepsUSA, Grand Vault Casino, TheBoss.Casino, CosmoSlots, and LuckySlots. 

This differs from Tennessee in that California now has a law on the books with AB 831.

However, the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council isn't holding back, similar to Louisiana. They're targeting sweepstakes platforms, especially sweepstakes sportsbooks, because real-money online sports betting is legal in these areas.