It seems like those interested in legal Georgia sports betting are taking a couple of notes from their northern neighbor.
SB 403 would legalize mobile-online betting through the Georgia Lottery but appears to have no cap on operators. That reads a lot like Tennessee‘s sports betting law, which passed last year but still isn’t up and running.
It has another unfortunate similarity to Tennessee: an official league data requirement for in-play betting.
The bill was introduced Thursday with bipartisan support from five senators. The bill is currently in the Senate Hopper, meaning it has been filed for introduction.
Georgia sports betting bill details
SB 403 has a fair tax rate at 10% of revenue, but some finer details might leave the industry wanting more.
First, each operator would have to pay a $900,000 annual license fee.
Collegiate prop betting would also be limited. Prohibited bets include “individual actions, events, statistics, occurrences, or nonoccurrences to be determined during a collegiate sporting event, including, without limitation, in-game proposition bets on the performance or nonperformance of a team or individual participant during a collegiate sporting event.”
And, as we all know, no operator is ever happy to hear they’re required to buy official league data to settle in-play bets.
Sports betting regulatory board would be created
Another nod to Tennessee’s style is the creation of the Georgia Mobile Sports Wagering Integrity Commission.
The seven-member commission would include three members appointed by the governor, two by the lieutenant governor and two by the House Speaker.
Those appointed should have experience in sports betting, accounting or law enforcement. Three people will hold four-year terms, three will have three-year terms and one will serve a two-year term.
Bill has backing of professional teams
The bill has the support of the Georgia Professional Sports Integrity Alliance, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The alliance is comprised of four professional teams: the NFL’s Falcons, the NBA’s Hawks, the MLB’s Braves and the MLS’ United FC.
