Members of the Georgia Senate have a question they’d like to ask voters this November: Is it OK if we legalize sports betting?
Senate Resolution 579 was introduced last week by a bipartisan collection of lawmakers, including Sen. Bill Cowsert, who successfully pushed for the requirement for a referendum in a sports-betting bill that passed the chamber this month.
The resolution proposes an amendment to the Georgia constitution to allow the General Assembly to legalize and authorize sports betting in the southern state.
Quick question
To that end, the resolution also contains a question that would have to be put to voters: “Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by law for sports betting in this state and to provide for such proceeds to be used for educational funding for pre-kindergarten and HOPE scholarships, services for gambling addiction, and the advancement and promotion of sports in this state?"
Should two-thirds of lawmakers pass the resolution, and a majority of voters choose “yes,” sports betting-related legislation would be clear to take effect in Georgia.
As it happens, the recently amended Senate Bill 386, which would legalize online sports betting through as many as 16 different bookmakers, now states its provisions would become effective on Jan. 1, 2025, after the ratification of a constitutional amendment.
“It is fair to the people of Georgia,” Cowsert said on Feb. 1. “It does not undermine the purposes and objectives of this bill. And I think it is the appropriate way to do it.”
The Georgia Senate is discussing S.B. 386, which would legalize online sports betting in the state through as many as 16 bookmakers.
— Geoff Zochodne (@GeoffZochodne) February 1, 2024
It would also do so without a constitutional amendment, prompting a proposed change on the floor this morning to insert a requirement for a CA. pic.twitter.com/TW3a7RtFpe
But there is still a long way to go before the public is voting on anything in Georgia related to sports betting or before the wagering begins.
S.R. 579 was referred on Friday to the Senate's regulated industries and utilities committee. S.B. 386 has crossed over to the House of Representatives and is awaiting further scrutiny.
Previous attempts to bring event wagering to the state failed for a variety of reasons, including disagreement over non-sports-betting-related measures and the need for a constitutional amendment. The House could push back on the amendment provision in S.B. 386.
That said, there is still plenty of time for wagering bills to pass. Georgia’s 2024 legislative session is scheduled to run until March 28.
