Georgia lawmakers move to re-introduce online casino and sports betting legislation
Senate Resolution 131 puts igaming and sports betting back on the table after failed push in 2024
A group of Georgia Senators have filed a proposal to introduce sports betting and online casino legislation in the state.
Senate Resolution 131 was filed earlier this week and was introduced by Republican Senators Carden Summers, Billy Hickman, Brandon Beach, and Lee Anderson.
The bill would allow for a minimum of eight casino gaming licenses, with a limit of one skin per license.
The legislation would also see the creation of a new gaming commission to oversee regulation in the Peach State.
Online sports betting and igaming would be subjected to a 20% tax rate, which would put Georgia on a par with the likes of Ohio, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
Tax revenue would be funelled towards a newly created Georgia Gaming Proceeds fund.
The first $2bn of revenue in the fund would be distributed between the governing authorities of each Georgia county.
This would be topped up by any additional revenue up to a maximum total counties payment of $5bn.
A minimum of 5% of the additional proceeds beyond that would be given to gambling health and addiction services.
Should the bill receive approval through the Senate and the House, Georgia residents will be given the chance to vote on whether the legislation should be introduced.
The legislation would need a two-thirds majority backing in both chambers before being put to voters in November 2026.
The Georgia legislative session runs until April 4. The measure must pass in the Senate by March 6 to be considered for progression.
Lawmakers attempted to introduce sports betting and online casino legislation in Georgia at the start of 2024.
Although both Senate Bill 386 and Senate Resolution 579 passed through the Georgia House Higher Education Committee in February 2024, neither bill was heard by the House Rules Committee.
Reports at the time suggested the legislation was halted due to disagreements as to where the proceeds from sports betting would be distributed.
Efforts again this year from the senators sees Georgia join the likes of Hawaii, South Carolina, and Mississippi in introducing sports betting frameworks.