Georgia’s Push for Legal Sports Betting Under Time Pressure

Georgia's efforts to legalize sports betting took a significant step forward last week, with two major bills—HB 686 and HR 450—introduced in the state House of Representatives. These bills, which would pave the way for legal digital sports wagering in the state, are moving through the legislative process as Georgia’s 2025 General Assembly races toward its critical crossover deadline on March 6. But with time running short and legislative hurdles remaining, the fate of the bills remains uncertain.

Introduced on February 28, the pair of bills seeks to establish a framework for online sports betting while allowing Georgia voters to decide on the constitutional amendment in a referendum. As of Monday, however, the bills had yet to be assigned to a committee, and with only a few days left before the crossover deadline, questions are mounting over whether they will gain enough traction to reach the floor for a vote.

The legislation would allow for both standalone and sports team-licensed betting operations, with a focus on online platforms rather than in-person casinos or sportsbooks. In what is expected to be a competitive marketplace, the Georgia Lottery Corporation would act as the primary regulator, overseeing licensing and enforcement. The lottery would also be authorized to launch its own digital betting platform, adding another dimension to Georgia's gaming industry.

One notable feature of the House proposal is a stipulation that the Georgia Lottery would not be allowed to set limits on the maximum or minimum payouts or “hold percentages” of betting operators—a provision that stands out in comparison to other states, like Tennessee, which imposed such limits when legalizing sports betting in 2019. While most states do not regulate hold percentage, Georgia's decision to exclude such regulation signals a desire for a less restrictive approach to market operations.

However, Georgia’s long-standing political football status on sports betting—dating back to as early as 2020—has left many industry observers cautious. After an agreement was reached in 2020, partisan infighting surrounding redistricting killed the proposal. Since then, little consensus has emerged, with one of the primary sticking points being how tax revenue from sports betting would be allocated.

 

Georgia’s Struggle to Keep Up

Currently, Georgia remains the largest state in the U.S., aside from California and Texas, without legal sports betting. If the bills pass, Georgia could become the sixth-largest sports betting market in the country. Its neighboring states have already moved forward: Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee have legalized digital sports wagering, while Alabama and South Carolina still prohibit any form of betting.

The proposed bills would offer 16 licenses in total—seven stand-alone licenses and nine additional ones allocated to major professional sports teams and venues, including the Atlanta Braves (MLB), Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta United FC (MLS), Augusta National Golf Club, the PGA Tour, and Atlanta Motor Speedway, among others. The inclusion of iconic teams and venues such as the Braves and Augusta National highlights the broad support for legalization among major Georgia-based sports stakeholders.

Despite the forward momentum, the bills face an uphill battle in securing passage by the March 6 crossover deadline, after which they would need to be sent to the opposite chamber to continue progressing. The political winds in Georgia remain volatile, and the bill's chances could hinge on negotiations over revenue allocation and concerns over responsible gambling provisions.

 

Taxation, Fees, and Responsible Gambling

HB 686 proposes a 20% tax on adjusted gross revenue from sports betting operations. It also calls for a modest application fee of $100,000, significantly lower than similar states, with licensees required to pay an annual fee of $1 million. Licenses would be valid for five years, and the revenue generated would fund various initiatives, with a particular focus on educational programs such as Georgia’s HOPE scholarship and pre-K initiatives.

A significant portion of the revenue would also be directed toward problem gambling prevention and responsible gambling initiatives. The proposal allocates 15% of the first $150 million in tax revenue specifically for these programs, which is a key concern for lawmakers and stakeholders alike. The bill mandates that operators implement responsible gambling programs, including player education and access to counseling for those exhibiting signs of problem gambling. It also includes safeguards to prevent minors from being targeted in gambling advertisements.

Georgia’s approach to problem gambling would also require operators to offer three tiers of intervention for at-risk players, starting with education and progressing to professional support. Additionally, the state’s sports betting platforms would need to prominently display the 1-800-GAMBLER help line, reinforcing the state’s commitment to public health and safety in this rapidly growing industry.

 

Georgia remains the largest state in the U.S., aside from California and Texas, without legal sports betting.

 

Potential Hurdles Ahead

While HB 686 and HR 450 have drawn significant attention, the bills stop short of requiring operators to use official league data, though they allow professional sports leagues to request it. The legislation also prohibits athletes from betting on events within their own league but permits wagering on other sports. Notably, amateur and Olympic athletes would be banned from betting on any event in which they participate.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle remains the constitutional amendment itself. HR 450 proposes that the amendment be put before voters in November 2026, setting a target launch date of July 31, 2027, for the full implementation of sports betting in Georgia. If passed, the 2027 launch would make Georgia one of the last holdouts in the Southeast to join the legal sports betting ranks, but it could also provide a significant boost to both the state's economy and its sports industry.

The deadline for crossover legislation is rapidly approaching, and while Georgia’s sports betting debate has long been mired in political infighting, this latest round of bills signals that stakeholders are once again eager to move the ball forward. But as the clock ticks down, the question remains: Will the Georgia General Assembly be able to overcome its political and logistical challenges in time for the March 6 deadline?