Georgia sports betting set to grow again in 2024
On the second day of the 2024 legislative session, Georgia senators launched yet another attempt to legalize sports betting.
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee voted 8-4 to pass Senate Bill 172. The measure now goes to the full Senate for further debate. SB 172 would use a constitutional amendment to allow sports betting in the Peach State and establish a gaming commission to regulate the industry.
Bill Cowsett (R-Athens), a sponsor of the bill, said he believed some voters would "push" the bill.
I just think now may be the time, and I definitely want us to address this this year, list it out, make a decision once and for all, and move on. "
In 2023, several bills aimed at legalizing sports betting, including online sports betting and on-site sports betting kiosks, failed.
The 2024 legislative session will be the sixth consecutive one to have at least one gambling expansion bill on the House and Senate agenda.
State of Affairs in Georgia
SB 172 itself does not legalize sports betting. Lawmakers must draft another proposed constitutional amendment, which then requires approval by two-thirds of the House and Senate and Georgia voters.
Senator Cowsert said the change is needed because Georgia voters approved a lottery in 1992 in which sports betting could only be done in person at a casino in Nevada.
"In my opinion, there's no way this is going to happen when voters allow a lottery," Cowsert said.
The Georgia constitution currently prohibits gambling. Cowsert said he believes legalizing sports betting through a constitutional amendment would reduce the legal issues surrounding the law if it passes.
As previously reported, former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton wrote in an opinion last year that sports betting does not require a constitutional amendment.
Suggestions, methods and objections
The search for other ways to legalize sports betting has intensified after the former chief justice issued an opinion last year rejecting a bill to legalize sports betting.
One possible option for Congress would be to treat sports betting as a lottery and allow the Georgia Lottery to regulate online sports betting. This approach has slightly lower legislative hurdles, requiring only simple majority support in the House and Senate.
State Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) said in December that he plans to introduce such legislation. Senator Beach wants to bring three casino resorts, a pari-mutuel racetrack and mobile sports betting to the state.
There are differing opinions on where gambling proceeds go. Many Democrats want sports betting to fund need-based college scholarships. On the other hand, many Republicans oppose the introduction of sports betting on moral grounds.
Currently, 38 states and the District of Columbia allow some form of sports betting.
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Source: www.casino.org
