NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee was the first state to approve the online-only model for sports betting in the country. Now, only fives years after its passage, the Volunteer State is the largest online-only betting markets in the country.

In 2025, an estimated $5.4 billion will be placed on sports bets, surpassing the initial forecast. However, legalized sports betting almost didn't happen in Tennessee.

"I embraced it because it sort of aligned with my Libertarian views, and that is gambling is going to occur whether its legal or whether its not legal," said former State Sen. Steve Dickerson (R- Nashville).

Dickerson sponsored the online gambling bill in 2020.

"The reason I grabbed on to this is because I thought sort of legalizing it would bring it out of the shadows," he told Ne

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