Tennessee Just Took Out 3 More Sweeps Sportsbooks

The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (TSWC) isn’t done yet. In the latest sweep, three more sweepstakes sportsbooks have pulled out of the state:

• Thrillzz (Oct. 29 shutdown)
• KicKr (Cease-and-desist)
• ReBet (Cease-and-desist)

That brings the total exits this year to five, following Legendz (April) and Sportzino (September).

Thrillzz Left Quietly, Again

Unlike KicKr and ReBet, Thrillzz wasn’t named in the TSWC’s official cease-and-desist round. But players in Tennessee lost access to the site on October 29, suggesting the writing was on the wall. 

Given Thrillzz’s history of pulling out swiftly after enforcement in Arizona, this quiet retreat looks very familiar. 

In Arizona, Thrillzz left one day after receiving a cease-and-desist. In Tennessee, the platform quietly shut down access on Oct. 29

 TSWC: “Illegal Sports Gaming Entities”

In its latest public statement, the TSWC labeled KicKr, ReBet, and offshore sportsbook BetWhale.ag as “illegal sports gaming entities.”

BetWhale even caught a $50,000 fine on the way out.

“Access to a website or an app does not mean the sportsbook has been licensed to operate here,” said TSWC Executive Director Mary Beth Thomas.

They also reminded players to check the official list of licensed operators before placing any bets.

Are Casino Games Still Live?

Here’s where it gets tricky. ReBet and KicKr are full-service sweepstakes casinos, not just sportsbooks. 

Based on past cases like Legendz, there’s a chance only the sports betting components were pulled from Tennessee, meaning the casino-style games could still be running.

• Thrillzz: Purely a sweeps sportsbook, full shutdown
• KicKr & ReBet: Full-service sweeps casinos with a sports tab

Like Legendz, KicKr and ReBet may still offer casino-style games in Tennessee. The cease-and-desist orders reportedly targeted the sports components only.

Where Can They Still Operate?

If you’re wondering whether you can still play on these platforms, their terms and conditions offer some clues. 

All three brands have state exclusion lists, and while Tennessee isn’t yet listed for KicKr and ReBet, it likely will be.  Thrillzz already blocked Tennessee access alongside 16+ other states.

Here is the  updated exclusion lists from each brand:

KicKr won’t let you play in:

Connecticut, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Washington.

ReBet excludes:

Arizona, Connecticut, Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, and New York.

Thrillzz already added Tennessee to its ban list, along with:

Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Ohio, and Washington.

What’s Next?

With five platforms out and counting, Tennessee is becoming the top state to watch for sweeps enforcement. Most of the heat is focused on sports betting, but don’t expect casino content to stay under the radar for long. 

Brands that want to stay active in the U.S. will need to start paying closer attention to state-level rules.

References

• TSWC press release
• KicKr, ReBet, and Thrillzz Terms & Conditions