Tennessee nears sending governor sports betting bill

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers are close to sending Gov. Bill Lee legislation to allow sports betting.

Senators voted 19-12 Tuesday for a bill to allow regulated statewide mobile and interactive sports gambling. It would make Tennessee the first state in the nation to allow sports betting without brick-and-mortar locations. The House passed a slightly different version.

Proponents say sports betting is already happening illegally, and the bill would create order, regulation and revenue. Opponents contend it would fuel addiction.

Republican Gov. Bill Lee has said he opposes expanded gambling but hinted that his administration worked with lawmakers to make the bill more palatable.

Montana, Iowa and Indiana are nearing sports betting decisions and would join six others that switched last year after a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing it nationwide.