In a state where the lottery is the only form of gambling, four Georgia senators want Peach State voters to change the gaming landscape significantly.
Filed Tuesday, Senate Resolution 131 calls for an amendment to the state’s constitution that would authorize “the operation and regulation of sports betting and casino gaming activities.”
The resolution sponsored by Republican Senators Carden Summers, Billy Hickman, Brandon Beach, and Lee Anderson also seeks a 20% tax rate on all gaming operators and calls for the licensing of at least eight in-person casinos. Only one license can be granted per operator.
The legislation would also create a gaming commission, which would be funded by gaming tax revenue. Other revenue would go to a new Georgia Gaming Proceeds Fund and be distributed to Peach State counties.
The resolution calls for online casinos to remain illegal in Georgia.
Ballot referendum
The Senate would need to approve the resolution with two-thirds of a vote by crossover day on March 6 to get in front of the House, which would have to pass the law by the end of the legislative session on April 5.
If Georgia sports betting and land-based casinos are approved by the General Assembly, the referendum would go on the ballot of the 2026 General Election.
According to the resolution, voters could choose “Yes” or “No” on “Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by law for the operation and regulation of sports betting and casino gambling activities in this state?"
Georgia lawmakers have made several past attempts at bringing sports betting to one of the most desirable, and practical, jurisdictions left in the U.S. However, legislation has faced multiple roadblocks, including amending the state’s constitution.
A 2024 attempt passed the Senate but died in the House after Republicans and Democrats could not agree on how to use the gaming proceeds.
A wanted state
With 39 U.S. states having legalized sports betting, there aren’t many frontiers left for sportsbook companies and pro-wagering lobbyists to pursue. California and Texas are the two most populous states without sports betting or commercial casinos, but neither looks close to legalizing gaming for the next year or two. The Seminole Tribe controls the only sports betting operation in Florida.
Georgia offers a major city in Atlanta, which contains MLB, NFL, and NBA franchises, as well as a state where college sports are incredibly popular. It could only be a matter of time until sports betting makes an appearance.
Adding commercial casinos, however, is usually more complicated. It won’t take long to know if this latest legislative attempt has a chance to finally bring major gaming to Georgia.
