Georgia sports betting legislation hit a major snag this week, but a new House filing could hold more promise.
The Senate Committee of Regulated Industries and Utilities voted Thursday against Senate Resolution 131, which would amend the state constitution to allow Georgia sports betting. The legislation would give Georgia voters a say on the issue in November 2026.
Another bill, Senate Bill 208, is still alive and a House bill was filed Friday. While the legislative session runs until April 4, legislation must crossover chambers by March 6.
Georgia House effort might be key
According to Fox 5, multiple Senators voted against the constitutional amendment because they did not believe it would get House support. Rep. Marcus Wiedower, who has run sports betting legislation in the past, introduced House Resolution 450.
The Senate effort included casinos and horse racing, Wiedower’s proposal is just online sports betting.
Last year, a bipartisan Senate bill stalled out in the House. Garnering enough bipartisan support has been a sticking point in the Peach State the previous four years despite strong efforts. Constitutional amendments need two-thirds votes in both chambers.
Georgia voters keen on sports betting
A recent University of Georgia poll found 63% of voters want legal sportsbooks.
That comes on the heels of a Republican primary question last year that signified 80% of Republican voters want the right to vote on the issue, according to SR 131 sponsor Sen. Carden Summers.
According to GeoComply, 14,400 active sports betting accounts attempted to access legal sportsbooks in Georgia during Super Bowl weekend, a 75.9% year-over-year growth.
Georgia framework
Senate Bill 208, which would act as the enacting framework if the constitutional amendment passed, allows the Georgia Lottery to issue up to 18 sportsbook licenses.
They would be reserved for the state’s professional sports teams, and entities like the PGA Tour and Augusta National.
The legislation would set up a 25% tax on sports betting revenue. The revenue would divide the first $2 billion of tax revenue evenly among the state’s 159 counties.
