State Awards $3 Million for Youth Gambling Prevention
Tennessee's mental health department is soliciting proposals for grants aimed at reducing gambling-related harm among young people.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Gambling
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The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is making $3 million in grant funding available for youth gambling prevention and awareness. Proposals will be reviewed, scored, and awarded competitively.
Why it matters
Survey data show gambling is reaching Tennessee students through social media, mobile apps, and illegal websites, prompting state leaders to prioritize prevention and early identification. The funding is intended to strengthen the state's youth-focused response to gambling-related harm.
The TN Together Student Survey of more than 11,000 students across 34 counties found 15 percent gambled in the past 30 days, and 43 percent of those students gambled on six or more days. The $3 million comprises $1.5 million in recurring and $1.5 million in non-recurring funds, and TDMHSAS receives 5 percent of the privilege tax on licensed sportsbooks.
The players
Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS)
The Nashville-based state agency that oversees mental health and addiction services in Tennessee and administers the grant program.
The details
The department is soliciting proposals from public agencies, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, community-based organizations, and licensed providers. The funding follows recommendations from a Youth Gambling Prevention and Awareness Work Group convened by the department in summer and fall 2026.
Timeline
Summer and fall 2026: TDMHSAS convenes the Youth Gambling Prevention and Awareness Work Group.
November 4, 2026: TDMHSAS announces the $3 million grant funding availability.
Legal Context
Tennessee funds youth gambling prevention in part through the 5 percent share of the privilege tax it collects from licensed sportsbooks, linking prevention spending directly to the growth of legal sports betting in the state. The program places Tennessee among states that are beginning to treat gambling-related harm as a public health concern alongside substance use.
Tennessee families concerned about youth gambling may find the state's counseling options useful, including the Gambling Clinic with in-person sites in Memphis, Nashville, and Johnson City and telehealth across the state. Parents and educators can review the state's prevention priorities of youth and parent engagement and early identification.
The takeaway
Gambling among young people is increasingly tied to phones, social media, and unlicensed websites, so parents and educators should keep open conversations about these risks. Early identification of warning signs, such as frequent thoughts about betting, can help families seek support sooner.
Further reading
Explore more on Gambling in Tennessee coverage.
More information
Read the full Youth Gambling Prevention work group report on the Tennessee government portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Newport Plain Talk.
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