While Georgia lawmakers are likely gearing up to take another shot at legalizing sports betting, residents are already trying to make wagers.
GeoComply reported Monday that more than 42,000 geolocation checks were made Sunday for Georgia sports betting, with users attempting to log in to legal sportsbooks in other states.
That was up 105% from the same NFL betting weekend last year.
Georgia sports betting accounts
The geolocation company identified more than 7,800 sports betting accounts.
That figure is up 129% from the same weekend last year.
Following Missouri’s successful ballot initiative this month, Georgia is one of 11 states without legal sports betting.
Georgia legislative failures
Georgia lawmakers have repeatedly attempted to legalize sports betting, but partisan politics have largely prevented the issue from succeeding. Sports betting often requires support on both sides of the aisle, as portions of each party oppose the issue.
In the Peach State, various legislators also disagree on how it can be legalized. They believe it requires a constitutional amendment, which requires a two-thirds majority, further magnifying the partisan splits.
In 2024, Republicans led the main effort and even garnered bipartisan support in the Senate. Once a constitutional amendment was raised, however, chances waned. Lawmakers also could not decide how to spend the potential tax dollars.
Non-amendment push in Georgia
Sen. Clint Dixon set up sports betting as a lottery game, which proponents argue would have circumvented the need for a constitutional amendment. Industry stakeholders, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Georgia sports teams support the non-amendment route.
Former Georgia Supreme Court Justice Harold Melton has opined that the expansion does not need an amendment.
However, multiple lawmakers believe the amendment is required for a legal expansion.
Base sports betting details
In the 2024 proposal, the legislation would set up 16 licenses for online sportsbooks, including eight tied to the professional sports teams in the state.
It also would have set aside a skin for the Georgia Lottery and seven competitive bid licenses.
As the legislation progressed, lawmakers raised the tax rate to 25%.
