Georgia's sports betting efforts fail again in Atlanta capitals
Sports betting will remain prohibited in Georgia for the foreseeable future.
Earlier this year, sports betting's chances of gaining traction at the convention seemed promising. For decades, authorities have rejected almost all forms of gambling.
The state's legislative session ended Thursday without any action.
The House Rules Committee considered two sports betting bills – Senate Bill 386 and Senate Resolution 579 – but chose not to send the measures to the full House on the 40th and final day of legislation.
House Democrats are unable to agree on how to use tax revenue generated by sports betting.
House Minority Leader Sam Parker (D-Lawrenceville) said the state and voters should be informed about how gambling proceeds will be used to improve conditions in the Peach State. Parker and many other House Democrats refused to support the sports betting plan without a clear explanation. This makes it impossible for Republicans to obtain a two-thirds majority on the required portion of the resolution.
Georgia still does not participate in sports betting
Georgia has not expanded or legalized new forms of gambling since a 1992 statewide referendum authorizing a state lottery. Recent polls show public support for becoming a sports betting state. A poll in early 2023 found that 52% of voters statewide would support regulated sports betting if subsequent tax revenue was earmarked for the state's HOPE (Helping Excellence in Education) college program.
Atlanta lawmakers have been working on how to bring legal retail and possibly online sports betting to the state.
State Sen. Clint Dixon (R-Burford), the author of the original SB 386 bill, initially argued that sports betting could be considered an extension of the lottery, so a statewide referendum to amend the Georgia Constitution would not be necessary. This would have been an easier legislative route, as a two-thirds majority is not required to initiate a referendum.
Dickson's House colleagues disagreed and passed a provision before it passed the state Senate in early February. The addendum states that SB 386 can become law only through an amendment to the Georgia Constitution.
Enter Senate Resolution 579.
SB 386 made additional changes when it passed the Senate, including increasing the proposed tax on gross sports betting winnings from 20% to 25%. The bill calls for issuing up to 16 sports betting licenses at a cost of $1 million per year each.
SR 579 was filed by Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, after a referendum authorization was attached to Dickson's bill. The resolution seeks voters to allow the General Assembly to enact and pass regulations governing sports betting.
Objection succeeded again
Georgia’s lawmakers discuss measures to expand gambling nearly every legislative session. The state's powerful and influential religious interests remain undefeated in preventing more gambling.
“It’s extremely dangerous for Georgians and poses all kinds of dangers,” Susan Guy, a member of the Georgia Baptist Convention’s Public Affairs Committee, said last month of the effort to legalize sports betting.
Thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia have enacted sports gambling laws. Georgia won't reach No. 39 until 2025 at the earliest.
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Source: www.casino.org
