Bingo in Tennessee: Laws, Halls & Online Bingo (2026 Guide)

Is bingo legal in Tennessee?

Only in a tightly limited way. Tennessee is one of the strictest states in the country for bingo. There are no licensed weekly bingo halls, and a church or VFW post can’t run a Friday-night game for cash prizes.

What the law does allow is an annual gaming event. Under the Tennessee Nonprofit Gaming Law (Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-17-101 and following), a qualifying 501(c)(3) charity can hold one gaming event a year, and the Secretary of State’s rules let that event be a bingo session. The Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming registers these events and enforces the rules.

That history matters. Tennessee had a large charity bingo scene until a federal and state corruption investigation in the late 1980s, after which bingo was shut down. Today’s narrow annual-event system came later, after voters amended the constitution in 2002.

How old do you have to be to play bingo in Tennessee?

Plan on 18. Charitable gaming guidance for Tennessee lists 18 as the minimum age to take part in these annual events. Because each event is run by a different charity, ask the organizers about their house rules before bringing a younger player.

Can you play online bingo for real money in Tennessee?

No. Tennessee has legalized online sports betting, but not online casino games or online bingo. The charity rules shut the door on internet games too: Rule 1360-03-03-.17 says “Online and virtual bingo is expressly prohibited,” and every bingo event must be held in person.

Free bingo apps with no cash prizes are a separate thing. Our online bingo guide explains the difference between free apps, sweepstakes sites and real-money rooms.

Are sweepstakes bingo sites legal in Tennessee?

No. Gov. Bill Lee signed Senate Bill 2136 on May 22, 2026, and it took effect right away. The law bans platforms that use a dual or multi-currency system to offer games that imitate bingo, slots, lottery games, table games or video poker.

Violations are handled under the state’s consumer protection law, with civil penalties from the Attorney General and a private right of action for Tennessee consumers. Many large brands had already blocked Tennessee players after the Attorney General sent cease-and-desist letters in December 2025. Read how sweepstakes bingo works for background on the model.

Where can you play bingo in Tennessee?

Your options are limited:

• Annual charity bingo events. Watch for local nonprofits that register a bingo night as their yearly gaming event. These are one-off fundraisers, not regular sessions.
• Free social bingo. Senior centers, churches and community groups often play for fun or small donated prizes with no buy-in.
• Neighboring states. Many Tennessee players drive to charity halls and casinos in nearby states. Our state-by-state guide covers the rules there.

Tennessee has no tribal casinos, so there is no tribal bingo in the state.

How to run a charity bingo game in Tennessee

The process is closer to a once-a-year permit than a license:

1. Check eligibility. You need 501(c)(3) status and proof of at least three years of active, continuous existence, shown through your last three annual IRS Form 990 filings.
2. Get board approval. The rules require approval from your organization’s board of directors.
3. Apply on time. Applications for the annual gaming event go to the Secretary of State during the yearly filing window.
4. Run it with your own people. Only the charity’s officers, directors, volunteers or employees may conduct the game. Outside operators can’t be hired.
5. Follow the bingo rules. No more than 25 games in the session, a maximum prize of $1,000 per game, house rules posted for players, and no card sales after the first number of the first game is drawn.
6. Report afterward. Keep accounting records and show that proceeds went to a charitable purpose.

Our bingo fundraiser guide has planning tips for prizes, pricing and volunteers.

Tennessee’s bingo rules at a glance

Bingo should stay fun. If gambling is causing problems, see our responsible gaming page or call or text 1-800-GAMBLER, any time.