Georgia Senate gives first hearing to sports betting bill

During this time, Senate Bill 386 garnered a favorable vote of 35-15 in the Senate. Spearheaded by state Senator Clint Dixon (R-Burford), the bill aims to establish a framework for mobile sports betting across Georgia. If enacted, the legislation would authorize the issuance of up to 16 sports betting licenses, with a notable provision earmarking eight licenses to be tied to professional sports franchises or organizations within the state.

Georgians could get a chance in November to vote on authorizing sports gambling after senators on Tuesday approved a state constitutional amendment.

Sports betting updates

A sense of cautious optimism turned to utter disappointment when the 2023 legislative session ended without passing Georgia sports betting legislation. Lawmakers will once again kick the proverbial can down the road and reconvene in 2024.

The following timeline summarizes the history of Georgia sports betting:

Feb. 12, 2024: Georgia Senators propose sports betting bally question for voters this November — "Is it OK if we legalize sports betting?" following Senate Bill 386 successfully passing in state chamber this month. 

Feb. 1, 2024: Georgia Senate approves sports betting bill, SB 386, but includes an amendment to the state's constitution that requires voters' approval during the 2024 Election before passing.  

Jan. 30, 2024: Georgia’s Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism passes SB 386 by a vote of 8-2.

Jan. 26, 2024: Georgia's latest sports betting bill runs through the state lottery. Senate Bill 386 differs from other sports betting-related legislation received in January, which envisioned amendments to the Georgia constitution. 

It’s a big step forward for those who want Georgians to be able to bet on pro and college sports after years of being stymied in the Senate. But the measure still has a long way to go, and would require two-thirds approval in the state House before it would go to the ballot.

The Senate voted 41-12 for Senate Resolution 579. It would designate 80% of taxes from sports betting to prekindergarten programs, and then to college scholarships once prekindergarten programs are fully funded. Another 15% of proceeds would go to aiding people with gambling problems, while the remaining 5% would create a fund for Georgia to recruit and fund major sports events.

Some supporters have sought to legalize sports gambling as part of the state lottery without a constitutional amendment. But Republican state Sen. Bill Cowsert of Athens has long said he wants voters to get a say, arguing that when Georgia voters authorized the lottery in 1992, they didn’t believe they were approving sports betting.