Georgia’s Sports Betting Bill Stalls Again
Once again, Georgia lawmakers have hit a wall in their effort to legalize sports betting. Senate Resolution 131 (SR 131), a proposal that would have let voters decide on the issue through a statewide referendum, failed to make it past committee.
Why the Bill Failed
The collapse of SR 131 shows the ongoing divisions within Georgia’s legislature on gambling. The bill’s sponsor, Senator Carden Summers, argued that legal sports betting could bring billions in revenue to the state.
The proposal included both online betting and retail casinos, with tax revenue evenly distributed across Georgia’s 159 counties. Yet, this broad approach likely contributed to its downfall.
Some lawmakers opposed the bill due to its ties to casino expansion, a controversial issue in Georgia politics. Others doubted it could garner enough support in the House of Representatives, making them hesitant to back it.
Additionally, opponents, including religious groups like the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, raised concerns about gambling addiction and potential social costs, arguing that these risks outweighed any financial benefits.
The Political Roadblocks
The failure of SR 131 highlights deeper issues beyond just sports betting. In Georgia, changing gambling laws often requires a constitutional amendment, meaning it needs two-thirds support in both legislative chambers before even reaching voters.
This high bar has consistently stymied past efforts to introduce betting, casinos, or other gaming expansions.
Another major hurdle is the lack of consensus on how sports betting revenue should be allocated. Senator Summers proposed that the first $2 billion in revenue be split equally among all counties, but previous efforts have stalled due to disagreements on whether the funds should support education, infrastructure, or other state programs.
Alternative Paths to Legalization
Despite the bill’s failure, other efforts to legalize sports betting remain alive. Senate Bill 208, a separate proposal, is still in play and has been introduced in the House of Representatives.
Additionally, Representative Marcus Wiedower filed House Resolution 450, which focuses solely on legalizing online sports betting, avoiding the contentious issue of casino gambling.
With the legislative session running until April 4 and a critical March 6 deadline for bills to clear at least one chamber, time is running out. However, Georgia’s sports betting push has survived setbacks before, and the issue isn’t going away anytime soon.
Public opinion polls suggest growing support for sports betting in Georgia, especially as neighboring states like Tennessee, Florida, and North Carolina have already embraced legal wagering.
The pressure to keep tax revenue from leaving the state is mounting, but opposition from conservative lawmakers and advocacy groups remains strong.
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