As the clock ticks down towards the adjournment of Georgia’s General Assembly on March 28, significant developments in the state’s gambling legislation have taken place. The Higher Education Committee has successfully passed amended versions of SR 579 and SB 386, setting the stage for a dramatic end to this legislative session, scheduled to conclude by the strike of midnight EST.
After more than a month of strategic modifications and garnering support within the Higher Education Committee, the bills seemed to be in legislative limbo. Concerns regarding support delayed action just a day prior, on March 27. However, by Thursday morning, a vote signaled that compromise had been achieved—a promising turn of events for proponents of legal sports betting.
The bills address both the authorization and regulatory framework for mobile sports wagering in Georgia. SR 579 proposes a constitutional amendment that, if passed, would place the decision to legalize mobile sports betting in the hands of voters this coming November. Simultaneously, SB 386 serves as the enabling legislation to usher in this new era, should the amendment pass.
The proposed laws would transform Georgia’s betting landscape by introducing up to 16 digital wagering platforms, significant industry expansion without the implementation of physical sportsbooks. However, the state’s professional sports teams would be granted the opportunity to collaborate with online sportsbook operators. The industry would be subject to a 25% tax on adjusted gross revenue, presenting a lucrative potential revenue stream for the state.
In a noteworthy amendment to SR 579, sponsored by Senator Bill Cowsert, the committee has outlined the dedication of 15% of the state’s tax revenue from sports wagering to a newly established “Responsible Gaming Fund.” This fund represents an unprecedented commitment to combatting addiction and the negative impacts of gambling, positioning Georgia at the forefront of responsible gambling initiatives. Under the amendment, the first $150 million of tax revenue would see 15% channeled to problem and responsible gambling programs, while the remaining 85% would be earmarked for the “Educational Opportunity Fund” aimed at bolstering education in the state.
Despite the progress, the pathway for these bills remains uncertain. The House is yet to schedule a floor vote, and if passed, the legislation must either return to the Senate for concurrence or be negotiated in a conference committee due to the amendments.
Complicating the matter is the need for bipartisan support since neither political party holds the two-thirds majority required to pass the constitutional amendment in both chambers. This underscores the necessary consensus-building and cross-party collaboration that has been a key feature of the legislative process thus far.
The voice votes that carried both bills through the committee were not unanimous, reflecting ongoing concerns among lawmakers. Delegates Clay Pirkle and David Knight especially voiced their opposition, arguing that legalizing mobile wagering could encourage residents to partake in gambling activities they might have otherwise avoided. With resolute positions articulated by both representatives, the debate within the General Assembly mirrors wider public opinion on the topic of gambling expansion.
As the Georgia General Assembly heads towards its final hours, the fate of legalized mobile sports betting hangs in the balance. With its generous allocation to responsible gambling and the potential boost to the state’s education funding, the proposed legislation could usher in a significant shift in Georgia’s gaming landscape. All eyes are now on the House floor and the impending votes that will determine whether residents will have the chance to vote on this issue come November.
