- For the seventh year in a row, Georgia lawmakers will consider sports betting
- A resolution to legalize sports betting and casino gaming has been introduced in the Senate
- The legislation requires voters to approve a constitutional amendment in 2026
Once more unto the breach.
As expected, Georgia lawmakers will wade back into the sports betting (and casino gaming) fray for 2025, as a resolution to legalize both has been introduced in the Senate.
It’s the seventh year in a row the state will consider the legalization of online and retail sports betting.
Voters To Decide in 2026
Sen. Carden Summers (R-13), Sen. Billy Hickman (R-4), Sen. Brandon Beach (R-21), and Sen. Lee Anderson (R-24) introduced SR 131 to legalize sports betting and casino gaming in the state through a constitutional amendment.
If approved in both the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives, state voters would have the final say on legalization. However, the resolution will require a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate to be approved.
Voters would see the following question on a ballot in 2026:
“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by law for the operation and regulation of sports betting and casino gambling activities in this state?”
If approved, it’s likely that sports betting would launch in the Peach State sometime in 2027.
Georgia Sports Betting Bill Details
The legislation would allow for up to eight casino licenses in Georgia. Sports betting license details, such as the number of operators allows and the license costs, were not included in the first iteration of the resolution.
The legislation calls for the creation of a Georgia Gaming Commission to regulate and license casino and sports betting gaming in the state.
Both casino gaming and sports betting would be taxed at a rate of 20% of gross revenues. Gaming and sports betting revenues would be deposited into the “Georgia Gaming Proceeds Fund.”
The first $2 billion of revenue paid into the Georgia Gaming Proceeds Fund shall be evenly appropriated by the General Assembly to the governing authorities of each county.
After the first $2 billion in revenue, the rest will be earmarked as such:
- $500 million in additional funding “will be evenly appropriated by the General Assembly to the governing authorities of each county in this state until a total of at least $5 billion has been appropriated”
- At least 5% of any additional revenue will be appropriated for programs and services to prevent problem gaming in individuals and to treat those with problem gaming habits
House Held up Efforts in 2024
In 2024, the Georgia Senate quickly approved a bill to legalize online sports betting. SB 386, a bill to legalize online sports betting, and SR 579, a resolution legalizing sports betting through a constitutional amendment, were both approved early in the legislation session.
However, discussions on the bill stalled in the House and eventually died before the session concluded.
Sen. Clint Dixon’s (R-45) bill, SB 386, aimed to legalize online sports betting for 16 license holders in the state. The legislation set the sports betting tax rate at 20% of adjusted gross revenue. Licenses cost $1 million annually to renew and applicants would have paid a $100,000 application fee. It allowed for bets on college sports.
The bill was approved 35-15 by members of the Senate in early February 2024, but amended to require a constitutional amendment before going into effect. Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-16) introduced the amendment and later submitted SR 579, which required Georgia voters to approve a constitutional amendment in the November general election to legalize sports betting. The Georgia Senate passed SR 579 in late February by a 41-12 vote, surpassing the required three-fifths majority.
The bills never moved out of House committee.
After a long hiatus, Georgia has reentered the sports betting market, much to the delight of sports fans and bettors alike. The state had previously banned sports betting, but recent legislative changes have opened up the opportunity for residents to legally place bets on their favorite teams and events.
One of the main reasons for Georgia’s decision to reenter the sports betting market is the potential for economic growth and revenue generation. With neighboring states like Tennessee and Florida already allowing sports betting, Georgia was losing out on a significant amount of potential revenue that could be generated through taxes on sports betting activities.
In addition to the economic benefits, legalizing sports betting also provides a safer and more regulated environment for bettors. By legalizing and regulating sports betting, the state can better protect consumers from illegal and unscrupulous betting activities that may have been prevalent when sports betting was banned.
Another important aspect of Georgia reentering the sports betting market is the potential for job creation. With the opening of sportsbooks and online betting platforms, there will be a need for employees to manage and operate these facilities, creating new job opportunities for residents of the state.
Overall, the decision for Georgia to reenter the sports betting market is a positive one that will benefit both the state and its residents. With the potential for economic growth, consumer protection, and job creation, sports betting is sure to become a popular and lucrative industry in Georgia in the coming years.
