Georgia lawmakers scramble as clock ticks down on sports betting legalization efforts

With only 10 days remaining in the legislative session, Georgia lawmakers are facing a tight deadline to advance a proposed constitutional amendment allowing voters to decide on the legalization of sports betting.

The state Senate's passage of the amendment last month marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate. However, its first hearing in the state House of Representatives on Monday underscored the significant challenges ahead in enacting a comprehensive sports betting legalization effort.

The proposed constitutional amendment, Senate Resolution 579 (SR 579), works in conjunction with Senate Bill 386 (SB 386), aiming to pave the way for the legalization of sports betting in Georgia. The legislative push, led by Senator Bill Cowsert, emphasizes the importance of a statewide referendum to decide on this matter, rather than solely relying on legislative action.

However, the fate of the bills appears uncertain. The House Higher Education Committee's discussion on Monday lacked focus, with several legislators voicing inaccurate points about sports betting markets in other states. Moreover, there are fundamental uncertainties regarding the allocation of tax revenue generated by legalized sports betting.



SR 579 proposes that 80% of the tax revenue be allocated to Georgia's educational initiatives, while 15% would be dedicated to addressing problem gambling through treatment and education programs. The remaining 5% is earmarked for attracting major sporting events to Georgia. Nonetheless, there is ongoing debate about where the revenue should ultimately be directed.

Cowsert estimates that legalizing sports betting could yield around $50 million annually in tax revenue for Georgia, a figure he considers "insignificant". This has led to discussions about potentially redirecting the revenue to various areas, further complicating the legislative process as legislators try to steer revenue in different directions.

Despite the potential financial benefits, some legislators question the necessity of legalizing sports betting, especially given the uncertainties surrounding revenue allocation. Moreover, concerns about the moral implications of such a move persist among several lawmakers.

“Since we’re not gonna really make any money based on what you’re saying, and then we’re gonna have people gambling, and then we’ve gotta take care of them, then why are we even doing this? What’s the purpose?” Rep. Rhonda Burnough said, as per local media reports.

As the legislative session draws to a close with just over a week remaining, the prospects for sports betting legalization appear uncertain. The lack of consensus on key issues, coupled with the limited time left in the session, suggests that significant progress must be made swiftly for the topic to reach voters in November.

Committee Chairman Chuck Martin said he intends to remove the provision allocating 5% of revenue to marketing sporting events in Georgia, proposing instead that such organizations compete for funding through the budget process.

Despite the uncertainties, Cowsert maintained that legalizing sports betting could bolster fan interest in Atlanta's professional sports teams, which have voiced support for the legislation.