Georgia Lawmakers Renew Push for Sports Betting, Casinos

Lawmakers in Georgia are once again attempting to legalize sports betting and casino gaming through a new legislative effort that could put the decision in the hands of voters in 2026. Senate Resolution 131 (SR 131), introduced by four Republican state senators, seeks to amend the state constitution to allow regulated gaming and establish a governing commission to oversee the industry.

Expected Revenue and Legislative Framework

Sponsored by Senators Carden Summers, Billy Hickman, Brandon Beach, and Lee Anderson, SR 131 mirrors previous legislative attempts that failed to advance. If enacted, the resolution would authorize at least eight casino licenses and impose a 20% tax on gaming revenue, with the funds allocated to a newly created Georgia Gaming Proceeds Fund.

The push for legal sports betting comes as unregulated gambling continues to thrive in the state. Reports indicate that thousands of Georgia residents engage in unauthorized betting or travel to neighboring states where gambling is legal.

Industry experts estimate that a regulated sports betting market in Georgia could generate over $100 million annually in tax revenue. Cybersecurity firm GeoComply, which monitors online betting activity, found that more than 300,000 betting accounts were accessed within Georgia during the most recent NFL season, with many users crossing into Tennessee to place legal wagers.

John Pappas, a senior advisor at GeoComply, noted: “Estimates look at in a mature legal market in Georgia, the annual tax revenue for the state would be somewhere around $112-115 million annually.”

Representative Marcus Wiedower is leading a parallel effort to introduce a constitutional amendment specifically for online sports betting, which would exclude land-based casinos, horse racing kiosks, or other physical betting locations. Under his proposal, a portion of gaming tax revenue would fund education through the Georgia Lottery, while up to $20 million annually would be designated for responsible gambling programs.

SR 131 expands on these ideas, proposing the creation of a Georgia Gaming Commission to regulate betting operations and ensure fair industry oversight. The first $2 billion in tax revenue would be distributed among Georgia’s counties, with additional funds allocated beyond a $5 billion threshold. Additionally, 5% of revenue exceeding that amount would go toward gambling addiction prevention and treatment initiatives.

Opposition and Legislative Hurdles

Despite growing public support for regulated gambling, Georgia has long resisted efforts to expand gaming. Religious organizations and anti-gambling advocates remain firm in their opposition.

Mike Griffin, Public Affairs Representative for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, warned: “We’re going to see it exponentially make things worse. It’s going to increase addiction, and we’ve already seen that addiction rates increase the potential of suicide rates.”

Critics argue that the widespread presence of illegal gambling does not justify legalization. Griffin added: “The Lord only knows what all is happening in our state that’s illegal. That all doesn’t need to be made legal.”

Efforts to legalize sports betting in Georgia began in 2019, but every attempt has faced significant legislative challenges. In 2024, similar bills cleared the Senate but failed to pass in the House. SR 131 builds on previous proposals, such as SR 538, which aimed to legalize both casinos and sports betting but ultimately stalled before a vote.

To advance, the latest resolution must pass the Georgia Senate by March 6, 2025, and receive full legislative approval by April 4, 2025. If successful, voters would decide on the measure in November 2026, potentially paving the way for legal sports betting and casino gaming by 2027.

Supporters argue that the increasing momentum, coupled with pressure from neighboring states Tennessee and North Carolina, where sports betting is already legal, could push Georgia lawmakers toward approval. If passed, Georgia would enter the U.S. gaming market as a competitive force, capitalizing on a growing industry while generating significant tax revenue.

Source:Georgia Lawmakers Push for Sports Betting and Casino Legalization, World Casino Directory, February 10, 2025.