The Georgia Legislature has faced another setback in its attempt to legalize sports betting in 2025. Despite efforts to advance a state constitutional amendment, the legislation failed to progress, with neither the amendment nor a detailed bill receiving a vote in the House.
While neighboring Missouri recently approved sports betting through a referendum, Georgia and the remaining 10 states where sports gambling is prohibited continue to grapple with the issue. The failure to pass the legislation in Georgia by the recent deadline does not completely rule out the possibility of it being revisited later in the legislative session, although the chances are slim. Lawmakers may consider reintroducing the measures in the latter half of the two-year session, potentially leading to a referendum on the November 2026 ballot.
Support for sports wagering in Georgia comes from various quarters, including Atlanta’s professional sports teams, business entities, and Republican Lt. Gov Burt Jones. However, despite this backing, progress has been slow, with unsuccessful attempts over seven legislative sessions since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling that overturned a federal ban on commercial sports betting in most states.
In contrast, some states have seen advancements in legalizing sports betting. Hawaii, for instance, recently passed a bill in the state House to legalize online sports betting. On the other hand, without bipartisan support in Georgia, particularly from Democrats, passing a constitutional amendment would be challenging due to the required two-thirds majority in the House and Senate. Opposition to sports betting in the state stems from concerns about potential addiction issues, particularly among young gamblers.
Despite the hurdles, proponents argue that legalizing sports betting would generate revenue for education and enhance consumer protections. The debate in Georgia reflects a broader national trend where several states have taken divergent paths on sports betting, with differing regulations on in-person versus electronic betting.
The outcome in Georgia underscores the complexities and divergent viewpoints surrounding the issue of sports betting legalization, highlighting the need for further deliberation and potential reconsideration in the future legislative sessions.
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