Tennessee’s online sportsbooks reached $180m in handle for December 2020, thus recording the best two-month debut in US sports betting history.

According to data from The Tennessee Education Lottery, bettors placed $180.9m in wagers in December, up 38% from November’s $131.4m handle. December’s bets, meanwhile, produced a win of $13.9m, up from $13.2m in November.

The state is now the nation’s seventh-largest sports betting market and, according to analysts from PlayTenn, boasts the best-ever opening two months in US history.

During the market’s first two months, Tennessee generated $312.3m in handle, with Indiana following in second with $126.9m in 2019. Tennessee also set a new record for operator revenue with $27.1m, once again taking over from Indiana, which generated $20.1m in its first two months.

“Tennessee launched under near-perfect conditions and that can be seen in the early results,” said Dustin Gouker, analyst for PlayTenn.com. “Even with added competition from Virginia now going live, Tennessee’s start has established the state as a significant player in the US.

“I don’t see anything that will stop the market’s momentum in the short-term.”

Four sportsbooks are in operation throughout the state, with more expected to arrive in the coming months, including William Hill, WynnBET and TwinSpires.

PlayTenn.com analyst Jessica Welman said: “Having FanDuel and DraftKings, the nation’s two largest operators, in place at launch has helped fuel Tennessee’s surge.

"But more high-quality operators will help mature the market. As good as Tennessee’s start has been, the best days are still to come.”