Georgia Lawmakers Propose Bill to Legalize Sports Betting

Could sports betting soon be coming to the Peach State?

Four Georgia Senators have collaborated to propose a new bill to legalize sports betting. Senate Resolution 131 would change the state’s constitution to allow for the industry to launch. 

In order to become law, SR 131 will need to pass with 2/3 of the vote from both legislative bodies before going to a public vote. If the proposal passes through all those checkpoints, another bill will need to be approved to create the framework for the industry.

This proposal is similar to the many others we have seen fail in Georgia over the years. While sports betting has some support, the need to amend the constitution has been the biggest roadblock. Georgia has many conservative lawmakers who believe the Constitution should not be amended unless necessary.

A University of Georgia poll found that over 60% of voters support legal sports betting. That level of public support could put additional pressure on lawmakers who oppose the change, though that has yet to happen.

Some groups of lawmakers believe that a constitutional amendment isn’t needed to legalize the industry, making the biggest hurdle unnecessary.

Proponents Want to Keep Gambling Revenue in State

One part of the argument from sports betting proponents is the amount of money Georgia is missing out on. While the industry remains illegal, residents travel across state lines and use offshore books to get in on the action. The state doesn’t see any tax revenue, putting those bettors at risk.

States with legal sports betting markets surround Georgia. Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee all have successful markets, drawing bettors from the Peach State. 

The state can potentially be one of the largest markets in the South, meaning a massive amount of tax revenue would be generated. While that hasn’t been enough to sway lawmakers in years past, proponents hope it is slowly breaking the opposition down.