A group of lawmakers is restarting the push for Georgia sports betting.
This week, four senators introduced Senate Resolution 131, which would amend the state constitution to legalize Georgia sports betting. Senators Carden Summers, Billy Hickman, Brandon Beach and Lee Anderson renewed the initiative.
Peach State lawmakers have tried to legalize sports betting for nearly a decade. In previous years, the constitutional amendment route has been an obstacle to passage.
Georgia sports betting amendment
The senate resolution would authorize the Georgia General Assembly “to provide by law for the operation and regulation of sports betting and casino gambling in the state.”
To amend the constitution, both chambers need to pass the resolution with two-thirds votes. Georgia voters would also need to approve the amendment.
Another bill would need to be filed laying out the framework.
Alternate sports betting routes
Along with proposed constitutional amendments, previous sessions also saw attempts to legalize sports betting through the Georgia Lottery.
Because of opposition on both sides of the aisle, bipartisan support is necessary to pass any sports betting legislation. That hurdle becomes more difficult when the difference of opinion on the need for a constitutional amendment is added.
Multiple parties have opined that gaming expansion does not need an amendment.
Growing support in Georgia
In December, Beach wrote an op-ed in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that swing voters who helped President Donald Trump win the state want sports betting. He said the Peach State lawmakers have been “shortsighted.”
Shortly after, Gov. Brian Kemp remained neutral on the issue but said he sees positives from the industry.
A University of Georgia and Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce poll found that 63% of voters want legal sportsbooks.
Peach State bettors
According to a GeoComply report, Georgians made 3.7 million attempts to access legal sportsbooks in other states during the NFL season.
Those attempts came from 297,239 accounts, a 101% year-over-year increase.
During a November weekend, GeoComply recorded 42,000 geolocation checks.
