Sports Betting Legal
Currently, sports betting is illegal in Georgia. The only options are the lottery, bingo and betting on sports on cruise ships. However, the latest state legislation will allow online sports betting. The minimum age to bet is 21, and prospective bettors must be physically located within Georgia state limits. This bill will also require that sportsbooks be licensed and regulated, thereby allowing Georgia to earn an estimated $900,000 in licensing fees annually.
The House of Representatives passed a resolution on sports betting on March 31, 2021, but it failed to pass the Senate. Several bills have been filed to regulate sports gambling in Georgia, but the sports betting debate is still raging. The legislature has been divided, with Republicans arguing that sports betting should be regulated by the state lottery while Democrats claim that it should be handled through the state legislature. This polarization has hindered progress on many issues, including sports betting.
In addition to drafting several bills, Representative Ron Stephens has also thrown his hat into the ring for the state’s most coveted gambling license. Several gaming bills have gotten a lot of attention, but the most successful was a bill that allows wagering on non-collegiate sports and gives the state lottery a monopoly on sports betting. It also gives the Georgia Lottery Corporation (GLC) the power to oversee the sports betting industry. It also offers a timber tax break.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Georgia?
The Senate has also been involved in the sports betting debate. It has passed a resolution on the subject, but it’s not quite as sweeping as the one passed by the House. It also makes the list of the least gamble friendly states in the US.
Another bill proposed legalizing mobile and retail betting, but it’s not quite as nifty as the bill formerly known as the Georgia horse betting bill. It also requires an application fee of $50,000. However, the best bet for Georgia would be to license sportsbooks. The state would then gain 900 jobs in the process.
Another bill proposes a voter referendum to allow all forms of gambling. This bill was also a good idea, but it was buried in a sea of other gambling related legislation. The bill also proposes a need-based scholarship fund for students. However, it was not as adroit as the Senate’s resolution on sports betting.
The Georgia Legislature ended its session on April 4, 2022. It did not pass any gaming or gambling bills during the session, and will not resume until November 2023. In addition, the state has updated its tax brackets. It is also expected that online sports betting in Georgia will not go live until at least 2022. It is unclear whether lawmakers have a clear understanding of the balloting process for online sports betting.
The state of Georgia has produced several sports teams over the years. The Atlanta Braves are currently a member of the National League and have won four World Series. They have also won 21 division titles. The Atlanta Thrashers have won one division championship between 1999 and 2011. The Atlanta Dream is currently a member of the WNBA and reached the WNBA Finals three times.