- No Georgia sports betting legislation was approved in either the House or Senate prior to the crossover deadline
- No sports betting bill will be approved this year
- Legislators will likely try again in 2026
Hello darkness, my old friend, I’ve come to talk with you again.
Georgia sports betting efforts are dead for 2025. Rep. Marcus Wiedower’s (R-119) legislation, HR 450 and HB 686, never reached the House of Representatives Floor for a vote during last night’s crossover deadline, ending sports betting’s journey this year.
Legislators in the Peach State will likely take up the issue again in 2026, but after several years of failure it’s hard to envision an end result different than this one.
Brief Hope, Crushing Defeat
Wiedower’s sports betting legislation began crossover day in the House Rules committee. It sat in committee for several hours until 7 p.m., when it was finally approved and moved the House floor.
The House adjourned at 11 p.m., officially ending crossover day, without calling or taking a vote on Wiedower’s legislation.
Georgia sports betting discussions are over for 2025, as neither the House or Senate approved sports betting legislation. The Georgia Senate discussed several sports betting bills, but none were ever moved out of committee. Sen. Carden Summers (R-13), Sen. Billy Hickman (R-4), Sen. Brandon Beach (R-21), and Sen. Lee Anderson (R-24) introduced SR 131 in February, but it was roundly defeated by the Georgia Senate Committee of Regulated Industries and Utilities last week.
Hope for legalized sports betting seemed to die with resolution’s defeat, but the House quickly took up the issue as Wiedower filed legislation on Friday, Feb. 28.
Seeking Constitutional Amendment to Legalize
Wiedower’s legislation attempted to legalize Georgia online sports betting through a constitutional amendment, which has been the preferred legalization technique over the past two years. Voters would have decided its fate during the November 2026 election, with the state being able to launch in 2027 if ultimately approved.
It set a tax rate at 24% of gross gaming revenues and earmarked tax revenues for the Georgia Lottery HOPE Scholarship and pre-kindergarten services.
The bill allowed for 16 total online sports betting licenses. The Georgia Lottery Corporation would have automatically been awarded a license, with the remaining 15 be earmarked as such:
- Five to Georgia professional sports teams
- One for an Augusta National Golf Course
- One for the PGA Tour
- One for Atlanta Motor Speedway
- Seven to be awarded by a public bidding process to online sports betting operators
Despite being pushed though the House Committee on Higher Education earlier this week, his legislation will not move any further this year.
So where does that leave Georgia’s sports betting hopes moving forward?
What Will Happen in 2026?
Despite sports betting dying in 2025, it does not necessarily push back a potential launch if legislators can move something across the finish line in 2026.
Georgia lawmakers have seemed to agree that a constitutional amendment is necessary to legalize sports betting. If legislation had been approved this year, a vote on the constitutional amendment would have always had to wait until the November 2026 general election.
Legislators will take up the issue again next year, so if a bill can be approved, the vote will still be set for November 2026.
But is there a chance for legalization next year? This year’s efforts were certainly disappointing, as neither the House or Senate approved any legislation prior to crossover day. The last several years have at least seen sports betting legislation approved in either the House or Senate, and ultimately fail on the final day of the session.
After years of debate and discussion, it appears that the end of the road has been reached for Georgia sports betting discussions in 2025. Despite efforts from various stakeholders to push for the legalization of sports betting in the state, it seems that the issue has hit a dead end.
One of the main reasons for the lack of progress on this issue is the strong opposition from certain groups, such as religious organizations and anti-gambling advocates. These groups have been vocal in their opposition to legalizing sports betting, citing concerns about the potential negative impact it could have on society, including increased problem gambling and addiction.
Additionally, there has been a lack of consensus among lawmakers on how to regulate and tax sports betting in Georgia. Some have argued for a more restrictive approach, while others have pushed for a more open and competitive market. This lack of agreement has made it difficult to move forward with any concrete legislation.
Another factor that has contributed to the stagnation of sports betting discussions in Georgia is the influence of professional sports leagues. While some leagues, such as the NBA and MLB, have expressed support for legalized sports betting, others, like the NFL, have been more hesitant. The differing opinions of these leagues have further complicated the issue and made it harder to reach a consensus.
Despite these challenges, there is still hope that sports betting could eventually be legalized in Georgia. With neighboring states like Tennessee and Florida already allowing sports betting, there is pressure on Georgia to follow suit in order to remain competitive. Additionally, the potential revenue generated from sports betting could be a significant boon for the state’s economy.
In conclusion, while the end of the road may have been reached for Georgia sports betting discussions in 2025, it is clear that the issue is not going away anytime soon. With continued pressure from stakeholders and changing attitudes towards gambling, there is still a possibility that sports betting could become a reality in Georgia in the future. Only time will tell if and when this will happen.