Is Kalshi legal in Tennessee?

How Kalshi operates in Tennessee

Kalshi is a Designated Contract Market regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) — the same federal category as major futures exchanges. Kalshi's position is that this federal framework governs its event contracts in Tennessee. Tennessee authorities or courts have disputed that for sports event contracts, and the question has not been finally decided.

Who can trade in Tennessee

To open an account from Tennessee you must be 18 or older (21+ in some jurisdictions), be a US resident, and complete Kalshi's identity verification (legal name, date of birth, address, and SSN). Verification is usually instant. Once you confirm your location, the app shows exactly which markets you can trade in Tennessee.

What you can trade

Kalshi's core menu — politics, economics, climate, inflation, and culture markets — is broadly available in Tennessee. Some sports-related contract categories have been challenged by state regulators and may be limited; Kalshi displays the current status for Tennessee at sign-up. For the full national picture, see where Kalshi is legal state by state and our guide to whether Kalshi is legal.

How to sign up from Tennessee

Have your driver's license or passport ready plus a US bank account for ACH. The whole flow takes about ten minutes, and new traders trade $25 and get $25! with bonus code COLLEGEPM.

Sign up on Kalshi → (opens in a new tab)

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

What changed in Tennessee

Court rulings, regulator actions and bills that affect prediction markets in Tennessee. Newest first. Checked against sources on October 1, 2026. This is a record of public events, not legal advice.

1. September 25, 2026

   Sixth Circuit rules against Kalshi in Ohio and Tennessee appeals

   The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held that Kalshi had not shown its sports event contracts are "swaps" and that federal commodities law does not preempt Ohio or Tennessee gambling laws. It upheld the Ohio denial of an injunction and overturned the injunction Kalshi had won in Tennessee, sending both cases back to the district courts.

   Source: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (opinion, Nos. 26-3196/26-5235) (opens in a new tab)

2. May 12, 2026

   CFTC files brief backing Kalshi in Sixth Circuit appeal

   The CFTC filed an amicus brief in the Sixth Circuit in Kalshi's Ohio appeal, arguing that the agency has exclusive jurisdiction over prediction markets.

   Source: CFTC press release 9230-26 (opens in a new tab)

3. February 20, 2026

   Federal judge grants Kalshi injunction in Tennessee

   U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger granted Kalshi a preliminary injunction allowing it to keep offering sports event contracts in Tennessee during its lawsuit. The Sixth Circuit overturned the injunction in September 2026. The date shown is the report date.

   Source: Sports Betting Dime (opens in a new tab)

4. January 9, 2026

   Tennessee regulator sends cease-and-desist letters to three prediction markets

   The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council sent cease-and-desist letters to Kalshi, Polymarket and Crypto.com ordering them to stop offering sports event contracts in the state. Kalshi sued in federal court days later.

   Source: Event Horizon (opens in a new tab)

Frequently asked questions

Is Kalshi legal in Tennessee?

Kalshi accepts eligible residents of Tennessee and operates under federal CFTC oversight as a Designated Contract Market. Tennessee's Sports Wagering Council sent cease-and-desist letters to Kalshi, Polymarket and Crypto.com in January 2026, and on September 25, 2026 the Sixth Circuit overturned the injunction Kalshi had won against the state. Courts have not finally decided whether state gambling law applies to sports event contracts, so what you can trade in Tennessee may change. This is not legal advice.

Do I have to be 18 to trade on Kalshi in Tennessee?

Yes. You must be 18 or older (21+ in some jurisdictions) and pass Kalshi's KYC identity verification. Event contracts are speculative and can result in loss of the funds you commit.

Can I trade sports markets on Kalshi in Tennessee?

Sports event contracts are the disputed category in Tennessee. Tennessee's Sports Wagering Council sent cease-and-desist letters to Kalshi, Polymarket and Crypto.com in January 2026, and on September 25, 2026 the Sixth Circuit overturned the injunction Kalshi had won against the state. The Kalshi app shows which markets are open in Tennessee once you verify your location.

How do I get the Kalshi bonus in Tennessee?

New traders in Tennessee trade $25 and get $25! when they sign up through our link and enter bonus code COLLEGEPM at registration. Terms are set by Kalshi and may change.