"June sees a surge in betting activity in Tennessee thanks to the World Cup."

The newly released data indicates that several weeks of soccer action have led to a notable increase in the wagering handle reported by sports betting operators in Tennessee.

June is traditionally a quieter month for sports, with fewer events and a dip in betting activity across the United States. Since major sports like football, hockey, and basketball have concluded by then, baseball typically takes center stage for betting in June. However, this year is different with the FIFA World Cup, the most anticipated soccer tournament, adding excitement. While American football usually generates more betting action than soccer, this June saw a shift, particularly in Tennessee, where bookmakers noted a significant rise in total wagers. The World Cup kicked off on June 11 and will continue until July 19, 2026. In Tennessee, data from the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council showed that this June, the total gross sports betting handle reached $456.1 million. This is a notable increase from June 2025, when the figure stood at $350.9 million, demonstrating a 30% year-over-year growth. Additionally, when compared to June 2024's handle of $342.2 million, the latest results also reflect an increase of over 30%.

Taxes on wagering collected by Tennessee last month saw a year-over-year increase. The state gathered a total of $8,438,391 in betting taxes this June. Notably, this amount is about $2 million more, or 30.3% higher, compared to the $6.4 million collected in June 2025. A similar rise is evident compared to June 2024. The surge in soccer betting during the World Cup in June likely played a significant part in this result. However, Tennessee's gambling regulator hasn't released a detailed report pinpointing which sport generated the most betting activity. Sports betting was legalized in Tennessee in 2019, with legal sports wagering officially launching in November 2020. According to the American Gaming Association, by the end of 2025, Tennessee had 10 legal online sports betting platforms. In 2025, the state's sports betting market achieved $700.2 million in total revenue, marking a 22% year-over-year growth.