Lawmakers in Georgia have prepared a new gambling and sports betting bill, even though previous efforts have failed.
A new legislative effort to legalise sports betting and casino gambling is underway in Georgia, through a required amendment to the state’s constitution.
Four state senators — Brandon Beach, Billy Hickman, Lee Anderson, and Carden Summers — have introduced Senate Resolution 131 (SR 131), which proposes a statewide referendum on the issue.
If approved, the amendment would grant the Georgia General Assembly the authority to regulate and tax sports betting and casino operations across the state.
The resolution, an adaptation of previous attempts to legalise gambling, outlines a 20% tax rate on gross income from gambling activities and mandates the creation of a Georgia Gaming Commission (GGC) to oversee regulation.
It also stipulates that at least eight casino gaming licenses must be issued, ensuring a minimum number of casino establishments within the state.
The proposed constitutional amendment would need to pass the Georgia Legislature with a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House before going to the November 2026 general election, where voters would have the final say.
While SR 131 explicitly states that “no off-site casino gambling activities shall be permitted or authorised,” similar provisions in New Jersey and Florida have left room for legal workarounds that allow online casino gaming (iGaming).
Whether Georgia lawmakers will pursue a similar approach remains unclear.
The state’s current legislative session ends on 4 April, and the measure must pass the Senate by 6 March to remain viable for consideration.
Where the revenue goes
Under SR 131, gambling revenue would be directed into a newly created Georgia Gaming Proceeds Fund and to the new GGC.
The first $2bn in tax revenue would be evenly distributed among all counties in Georgia.
Beyond that, an additional $500m per year would be set aside for county governments until the cumulative allocation reaches $5bn.
After this threshold, the Georgia General Assembly would have the discretion to appropriate additional funds. However, at least 5% of revenue must be dedicated to programmes addressing gambling addiction and related social issues.
The bill also allows the Georgia Gaming Commission to use a portion of gambling proceeds to cover operational expenses and regulatory oversight, ensuring the financial sustainability of the oversight body.
Lobbying efforts remain strong
The push for legalised gambling in Georgia has gained support from major industry stakeholders, including casino operators, sports betting companies, and professional sports teams.
Industry giants such as BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel are expected to play a significant role in lobbying efforts, as they have in other states pursuing gambling expansion.
Georgia’s professional sports teams, including those in Atlanta, have also shown interest in sports betting legalisation.
Several teams, such as the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, and Atlanta Hawks, previously supported efforts to regulate sports betting, arguing that it would enhance fan engagement and generate additional revenue for the state.
Despite growing support, opposition remains strong, particularly from conservative groups and organisations concerned about gambling addiction.
Some faith-based groups argue that legal gambling could lead to increased financial hardship for vulnerable populations, while others worry about the potential for corruption and organised crime in the gaming industry.
Georgia’s past efforts to legalise gambling have faced stiff resistance in the legislature. In 2023 and 2024, sports betting and gambling bills failed to pass.
The state’s long-standing resistance to gambling expansion makes SR 131’s passage far from certain.