Tennessee sports betting regulator appoints new executive director

The Sports Wagering Advisory Council for Tennessee, a regulating panel dedicated to sports betting, has voted Thursday to appoint Mary Beth Thomas as its new Executive Director. 

Thomas currently serves as the general counsel in the Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office. The secretary of state’s duties in Tennessee include regulating fantasy sports and charitable gaming. 

Under a law passed this year, the Advisory Council with Mary Beth Thomas as Executive Director will lead the regulation of sports betting from the Tennessee Lottery by January.

Sports betting in the state of Tennessee was legalized on November 1, 2020, becoming one of the fastest-growing states in terms of revenue: according to analyst Sports Betting Dime, Tennessee became the fastest state to record $200 million in a month in January 2021.

Since launch, Tennessee sportsbooks have taken $1.56 billion in bets, with $135.6 million in revenue. July’s handle fell to $144.5 million, the lowest since the first month of sports betting, followed by August's handle which continued with the same pattern. However, those numbers are contemplated in what is typically a slow month. September's figures are expected to be different, as it will mark the first full football season of legal betting in the state.