Georgia Voters To Have Their Say on Legal Sports Betting

Georgia voters may have the opportunity to vote on the potential for Georgia sports betting in November following the passage of an important measure this week.

After much debate and negotiation, the Georgia Senate has finally passed a resolution allowing for a crucial constitutional amendment that may open the door for the legalization of top sports betting sites in the state of Georgia.

Additionally, it helped to establish a consensus among state legislators regarding their approach to implementing a legal sports betting platform in Georgia. Despite the presence of conflicting bills that could complicate discussions, voters may soon have the opportunity to resolve the issue of sports betting in the state later this year.

Georgia Senate paves way for sports betting

On Tuesday, Senate Resolution 579 was approved by the Georgia Senate with a vote of 41-12. The House must now pass it, along with Senate Bill 386, which was approved by the Senate with a 35-15 vote earlier this month. The decision will then be placed on the Nov. 5 election ballot for voters to determine.

Senator Bill Cowsert, the bill’s author and sponsor, stated that the Senate passing the resolution provides voters with a chance to voice their opinions on the issue.

The ballot language for a legal sports betting platform in Georgia is clear and direct, leaving no room for confusion.

As per the Senate Resolution that was adopted, voters in Georgia will have the opportunity to vote on the November 5 General Election Ballot:

Should the Georgia Constitution be amended to allow the General Assembly to pass laws permitting sports betting in the state, with proceeds going towards pre-kindergarten and HOPE scholarships, services for gambling addiction, and the promotion of sports in Georgia?

What’s at stake in Georgia

If proponents of legal sports betting in Georgia secure a majority on the November election ballot, sixteen licenses will be available for grabs.

The state’s professional sports teams and venues, such as the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta FC, Atlanta Dream, Augusta National, the PGA Tour, and Atlanta Motor Speedway, would be eligible for a valuable legal sports wagering license. In addition, seven other licenses would be up for grabs, along with one reserved for the Georgia Lottery.

Operators will be required to pay an application fee of $100,000, with an annual renewal fee of $1 million. Additionally, a 20% tax rate on gross income will be implemented.

If approved, the majority of tax revenues, specifically 80%, will be allocated to the Educational Opportunity Fund to assist pre-kindergarten programs in the state. The HOPE scholarships will also receive a portion of the 80%, while 15% of taxes will be directed towards a responsible gaming fund. The remaining 5% will be designated for a Sports Promotion Fund aimed at attracting major sporting events to the state.

What happens next?

The legal sports betting bill is currently facing a potential hurdle in the Georgia House of Representatives, where opponents may try to block its progress. Despite the anticipated challenges, the Senate’s approval of the bill on Tuesday is a significant achievement for the state.

The Georgia House will be the focus of attention as its current legislative session comes to a close on March 28.

If the House passes the sports betting bill by March 28th, a big assumption, and voters approve the legal sports betting initiative in November, it is still likely that Georgia residents would have to wait until 2025 before being able to bet on their favorite sports team or player.