Georgia's sports betting legislation faces another setback as lawmakers appear poised to reject gaming expansion efforts once again. The state's Republican-controlled General Assembly seems unlikely to approve gambling measures, despite potential economic benefits.
Georgia's push for legalized sports betting has hit another roadblock, with the state Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee tabling Senate Resolution 131 last Thursday. The resolution, backed by four Republican senators, aimed to initiate a statewide ballot referendum this fall, asking voters to amend the Georgia Constitution to allow casino gambling and sports betting.
The proposed measure would have authorized 'at least' eight brick-and-mortar casino resorts, with a 20% tax on casino and sports betting revenue. Despite support from some lawmakers, including Senator Carden Summers, who argued that casinos are simply businesses, the committee voted down the bill.
With 'crossover day' approaching this Thursday - the deadline for legislation to move from one chamber to the other - time is running out for sports betting proponents. Two House measures, HR 450 and HB 686, are still awaiting official filing. HR 450 proposes a statewide referendum on sports betting, while HB 686 seeks to authorize sports gambling as an extension of the Georgia Lottery without public vote.
Recent polling suggests that 63% of Georgia adults support legal sports betting on professional teams and college sports. However, religious leaders continue to voice strong opposition, with Mike Griffin of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board calling sports betting 'the most addictive form of gambling.'
Meanwhile, offshore betting sites continue to attract Georgia bettors. John Pappas of GeoComply reported that nearly 14,500 active online sportsbook accounts attempted to access regulated sportsbooks from within Georgia during the recent Super Bowl.
As the legislative clock ticks down, the odds of Georgia joining the 39 states and Washington, D.C. that have legalized sports betting appear to be lengthening. The debate continues to balance potential economic benefits against concerns about gambling addiction and social impact.
