Georgia House Advances Sports Betting Bill Toward Key Vote

The Georgia House of Representatives took a significant step toward legalizing sports betting in the state, as a legislative committee advanced measures that could put the issue before voters in 2026.

Following a lengthy public hearing on Tuesday, the House Higher Education Committee voted Wednesday in favor of House Bill 686 and House Resolution 450

The bill establishes the regulatory framework for online sports betting, while the resolution seeks to amend the state constitution to allow its legalization. If approved by the legislature, Georgia residents will decide the issue via a referendum on the 2026 ballot.

Sports Betting Proposal Advances Amid Legislative Deadline

Both measures now head to the House Rules Committee, which will determine whether the legislation advances to the House floor. The constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority in the legislature to move forward.

In previous years, efforts to legalize sports betting in Georgia have faced challenges, with ers attempting to legislation without requiring a supermajority. However, this year’s push includes both a bill and a constitutional amendment, increasing the likelihood of age.

Rep. Marcus Wiedower, a Republican from Watkinsville, is sponsoring the sports betting bill, which excludes casino gaming, horse racing, physical sportsbooks, and kiosks. Wiedower emphasized transparency in his approach, noting that revenue generated from sports betting would be allocated similarly to the state lottery, funding HOPE scholarships and pre-K programs. Additionally, a portion of the revenue would be directed toward responsible gaming initiatives.

House Minority Whip Sam Park acknowledged Wiedower’s work, stating, “My hope is that we can continue to keep open the lines of communication to ensure that this has the requisite to the House.”

Licensing, Taxation, and Revenue Allocation

If enacted, the Georgia Lottery Corporation would oversee sports betting, issuing a master license and awarding additional licenses to professional sports teams, including the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Dream, and Atlanta United. Other entities such as Augusta National Golf Club, NASCAR’s Atlanta Motor Speedway, and the Georgia Lottery itself would also be eligible for licenses.

The bill allows standard betting on game outcomes, while proposition bets would be permitted for professional sports but not college athletics. Wagering on high school sports would be prohibited.

An amendment to the bill increased the tax rate on sports betting revenue from 20% to 24%, a change expected to generate an additional $40 million annually for Georgia’s pre-kindergarten program. The amendment, proposed by Rep. Sam Park, was unanimously approved before the full bill ed in committee on a voice vote.

ers and Opponents of the Legislation

Legalizing sports betting has garnered bipartisan , along with backing from Atlanta’s major professional sports franchises and business organizations such as the Metro Atlanta Chamber. Nick Fernandez, the chamber’s director of government affairs, noted that legal sports betting could provide a valuable revenue stream for economic growth and education funding.

Despite the growing , opposition remains strong, particularly from religious organizations. Mack Parnell of the Georgia Faith and Freedom Coalition cited studies linking gambling to increased financial distress, divorce, and suicide attempts. “If the legislation that you’re legalizing has to have mitigation efforts, why would you be endorsing that?” Parnell questioned.

Similarly, Mike Griffin, representing the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, argued that state-sponsored gambling would result in greater harm than benefits. “What you’re going to do if this gets legalized, you’ll be putting gasoline on a dumpster fire,” Griffin warned.

Both the constitutional amendment and the enabling bill now move to the House Rules Committee for consideration. The measures will face a crucial test on Thursday, known as Crossover Day, the deadline for bills to at least one chamber to remain viable for the current legislative session.

If the legislation moves forward and is ultimately approved by the legislature, Georgia voters will determine the fate of sports betting in a 2026 referendum.

Source:

‘’Georgia House revives plan to give voters a chance to legalize sports betting’’, georgiarecorder.com, March 05, 2025.