Georgia lawmakers appear poised to revisit sports betting legalisation in 2026 after a Senate study committee quietly inserted the issue into a broader package of tourism-related recommendations last month. While the move does not guarantee legislative action, it keeps the issue alive in a state where public support is strong but political obstacles remain entrenched.

The recommendation was included in a December report issued by the Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No 1 State for Tourism, which was originally tasked with exploring new ways to strengthen the state’s tourism economy. According to The Center Square, the addition of sports betting came late in the process. Committee chairman Sen. Drew Echols described the measure as one of many suggestions and cautioned against assuming follow-through. “The recommendations are just that,” Echols said. “Hard to say how many if any of the recommendations will come to fruition.”

Legislative Uncertainty and Loss of Key Sponsor

Sports betting has been debated in Georgia for several consecutive sessions but has repeatedly stalled due to partisan tensions and disagreements over whether the activity requires a constitutional amendment. Those divisions have been compounded by the departure of Rep. Marcus Wiedower, one of the legislature’s most visible supporters of the issue. Wiedower resigned in October after sponsoring legislation that would have authorised 16 licences, imposed a 24% tax rate on revenue, and placed a constitutional amendment before voters. Both measures would have remained viable heading into 2026, but his exit has significantly weakened the proposal’s momentum.

“It doesn’t mean it’s dead, but he’s built a lot of credibility on the issue that will be hard to replace,” said industry consultant John Pappas. Industry observers remain sceptical about the near-term prospects. Brandt Iden, vice president of government affairs at Fanatics Betting & Gaming, pointed to the political challenges of an election year. “There are a number of political hurdles that are large that exist,” he said. “They are issues that need to be overcome that make it more difficult.” One industry source was more direct, concluding that “Georgia isn’t legalising sh**.”

The study committee held four public meetings before issuing its report on 1 December. During those sessions, lawmakers heard testimony not only on tourism development but also from more than a dozen representatives of the sports betting and gaming industries. The renewed focus comes as Georgia’s tourism sector continues to expand. Governor Brian Kemp’s office estimates the state hosted more than 174 million visitors in 2024, generating $45.2 billion in spending. Echols framed the committee’s work as part of a broader effort to sustain that growth. “While we’ve been in a great spot… that doesn’t mean we don’t need to keep working, keep pushing forward,” he said at the committee’s first meeting this year.

Former North Carolina lawmaker Jason Saine, who helped shepherd sports betting through his state legislature, told Georgia officials the revenue opportunity could exceed $100 million in the first year. North Carolina, which is similar in size, generated $116 million in tax revenue in its first year under an 18% tax rate. “We think we hit a sweet spot,” Saine said. Major gaming firms, including Bally’s Corp, Boyd Gaming, Gaming and Leisure Properties, and Wynn Resorts, also expressed interest during the hearings.

Opposition and Structural Barriers

Opponents warned lawmakers that legalisation carries social costs alongside revenue. Mike Griffin of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board said policymakers should acknowledge those risks. “It’s intellectually dishonest to talk about the benefits of gambling without talking about the detriments,” he said, citing concerns about problem gambling.

At the core of the legislative deadlock is disagreement over whether sports betting requires a constitutional amendment. Some lawmakers believe the activity can be placed under the authority of the Georgia Lottery, while others insist that only a constitutional change would make it legal. An amendment would require approval by two-thirds of both legislative chambers and ratification by voters statewide.

In 2025, lawmakers appeared closer to consensus by attaching proposals to constitutional resolutions. If such a measure were to pass in 2026, the issue could appear on the November 2026 ballot. Still, past efforts have collapsed amid broader political disputes, including a breakdown of support in 2021 following passage of a controversial voting law and procedural manoeuvring in 2023.

Public Support and Market Pressure

Public sentiment remains favourable. A University of Georgia survey last year found 63% of voters support legalising sports betting. Professional sports franchises and business groups have echoed that support. Representatives from the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Hawks, the PGA Tour, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce all participated in the study committee’s discussions.

Market data suggests substantial demand already exists. GeoComply, which provides geolocation compliance services, reported a 66% increase in attempts by Georgia residents to access legal sportsbooks in other states during the 2024–25 NFL season. The company recorded 4.4 million location checks from 366,000 accounts during that period. At a rest stop just across the Tennessee border on I-75 near Chattanooga, GeoComply logged 834,000 checks from 13,000 accounts, underscoring how proximity to legal markets continues to siphon potential revenue out of Georgia.

The recommendations from the tourism committee keep sports betting on the table, but whether any of them move forward remains uncertain.

Outlook

While the study committee’s recommendation does not ensure legislative action, it provides a new political opening as Georgia approaches the 2026 session. The question now is whether lawmakers can navigate constitutional disputes, election-year pressures, and partisan divisions long enough to convert strong public support into a viable path toward legalisation.