Is sports betting legal in Georgia?
No. Despite a push early in 2021, Georgia has yet to legalize sports betting. The Senate approved two pieces of legislation in March 2021, but lawmakers failed to reach a resolution before the end of the legislative session.
The two sports betting bills are expected to be revived in 2022 — SB 142 serving as the framework for sports betting in Georgia and SR 135 the amendment to current Georgia law. If successful, the public will vote to legalize event wagering in November 2022.
Follow our U.S. legal tracker for the latest on each state's sports betting progress.
Timeline of sports betting in Georgia
As the 2022 legislative session approaches, a sense of cautious optimism is percolating in Georgia. State lawmakers built significant momentum in 2021 and will look to overcome the remaining hurdles to push legal sports betting across the goal line in 2022.
The following timeline summarizes the history of sports betting in Georgia:
November 1992: The Georgia State Lottery Amendment is approved. Georgia’s new state lottery, the Georgia Lottery, is created. The lottery goes on to generate billions of dollars for education funding.
May 14, 2018: The Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), allowing states to establish their own sports betting rules and regulations.
Feb. 20, 2020: After witnessing the legalization of sports betting in Tennessee, five Senators back SB 403 — a bill that would legalize mobile sports betting in Georgia. The bill later dies in committee.
Jan. 14, 2021: The Georgia Lottery Mobile Sports Wagering Integrity Act (HB 86) is introduced in the House. The bill is ultimately withdrawn after a lack of support.
March 5, 2021: The Senate passes SB 142 and SR 135. The House will have the opportunity to put the state in the position to offer legal sports betting by 2022.
March 31, 2021: The 2021 legislative session adjourns with no movement on Georgia’s latest sports betting proposals. SB 142 and SR 135 will be carried over to the 2022 session and, if passed, could put Georgia on track to offer legal wagering in 2023.
Who can bet on sports in Georgia?
No one. However, the proposed legislation would set the minimum age to bet at 21 and allow bettors to place mobile wagers from anywhere in Georgia.
Let's break down everything you need to know about sports betting in the Peach State.
Legal age
If sports betting is legalized in Georgia, bettors will have to be 21 years old to place a wager.
Mobile betting
Mobile sports betting has been included in recent sports betting proposals in Georgia. The most recent bill calls for at least six online operators. Mobile and online wagering would be regulated by the Georgia Lottery Corporation.
Remote registration
Remote registration allows sports bettors to complete the sign-up process without confirming their details and identity and a physical location, such as a casino. If sports betting comes to Georgia, so should remote registration.
Within state borders
Georgia sports betting will follow the script laid out by the federal government. Those actively placing wagers will not be permitted to use a Georgia sportsbook when traveling out of state. Any operator that obtains a Georgia sports betting license will use geofencing technology to block users not located in the Peach State.
Retail sportsbooks
There are no retail sportsbooks in Georgia. With no casinos in the state, the idea of brick-and-mortar locations has taken a back seat to the possibility of fully mobile wagering.
Taxable winnings
Georgians are currently taxed 5.75% on all gambling winnings over $5,000. An additional 24% is earmarked for the federal government. We anticipate sports bet winnings will be taxed at the same rate.
Crossing state lines: Nearby betting sites in 2022
Georgia was previously sandwiched between two states that offered legal mobile sports betting. Tennessee online wagering went live late in November 2020, while Florida’s Seminole Tribe unexpectedly launched its Hard Rock Sportsbook a year later.
While sports betting is alive and well in the Volunteer State, Florida’s gaming compact was eradicated on Nov. 22, 2021, after a federal judge ruled it to be in violation of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). On Dec. 4, 2021, Florida’s Hard Rock Sportsbook officially suspended operations.
Bettors seeking a retail betting experience casino can visit one of two Caesars Sportsbooks in North Carolina.
The pros and cons of Georgia sports betting
After a few years of deliberation and little movement, Georgia swiftly put legal sports betting on the radar in 2021. If all goes well in 2022, legal mobile wagering could arrive in 2023.
A lot is riding on the upcoming legislative session, however. Another year of stagnation could put sports betting on the back burner for the foreseeable future.
Proposed bills gaining traction
Mobile betting front and center
Legal betting backed by a coalition of professional sports franchises
Sports betting is still illegal
No movement in 2022 could significantly delay legalization
Several anti-gambling Republicans standing in the way of legal betting
How to start betting in Georgia
Mobile wagering seems like the most likely form of sports betting to come to the Peach State. If this happens, GA bettors will be able to conveniently browse everything each sportsbook has to offer before getting started.
1
Select a sportsbook
Before selecting a sportsbook, it’s wise to become familiar with the different options in your area. This means reading reviews, browsing available bets, and ensuring a prospective sportsbook can meet your banking needs. It’s also best practice to fully understand the terms and conditions of the welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions each operator offers.
2
Register online
If Georgia legalizes sports betting, gamblers should be able to complete the sign-up process from anywhere in the Peach State. Registration should only take a few minutes. Share some personal information, confirm your identity, and claim any bonuses available to get started.
3
Claim a bonus
Welcome bonuses can range from small deposit bonuses to risk-free bets exceeding $1,000. Be sure to claim everything your chosen sportsbook is offering before completing the registration process.
4
Deposit funds
Adding funds to your sportsbook account should be quick and painless. Sportsbooks typically accept some combination of debit cards, credit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, PayNearMe, eChecks, and more.
5
Choose your bet types
We don’t know what exactly will be available to Georgia bettors, but it’s safe to assume that all popular bet types will make their way to the Peach State. These include point spreads, Over/Unders, moneyline bets, futures, props, parlays, live betting, and more.
6
Start betting
After shopping around, claiming a bonus, and funding your account, there will only be one thing left to do — start betting. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the conditions of each bet before confirming your picks.
7
Withdraw funds
Withdrawals are not processed immediately. The time it takes to see your winnings arrive in your bank account will vary from sportsbook to sportsbook and largely depend on the withdrawal method you choose.
Reading the odds
When legal sports betting in Georgia becomes a reality, operators will use American odds to display betting odds. American odds show favorites with a minus (-) sign and underdogs with a plus (+) sign. The number next to a favorite represents the amount you’d have to wager to win $100 in profit, while the number that follows an underdog is the total you’d stand to win when placing a $100 bet.
For example, let’s say the Braves (-280) are hosting the New York Mets (+170) in a Sunday matinee at Truist Park. Immediately, you can see that the Braves are favored to win. A $280 bet on Atlanta would net you $100 in this scenario, should the Braves come out on top. The Mets are the clear underdog in this matchup, but a bet on New York could lead to a larger payday, with a $100 wager earning you $170 if they pull off the upset.
If you prefer to view odds as decimals or fractions, head over to our odds converter. There, you can see odds displayed as American, decimal, and fractional odds.
What you can't bet on in Georgia
Sports bettors in Georgia cannot legally wager on any event. While all professional sporting events will be on the table when sports betting is legalized, there are some other events we’ll be keeping an eye on.
Politics
Georgia will not offer political event wagering to gamblers in the Peach State. No state-regulated sportsbook permits this type of bet.
Entertainment awards ceremonies
We're not sure if you'll be able to bet on popular awards shows in the future — but until legal wagering comes to Georgia, you won't find any action on the Oscars, Emmy Awards, or other awards ceremonies.
esports
Georgia sports betting legislation may ultimately include esports betting. For now, however, esports are off-limits.
What about GA college sports?
College sports betting should be permitted in Georgia. Several other states have restricted college betting to out-of-state matchups, but there is no word on where Georgia stands here.
Home team advantage: Georgia sports
Georgia sports fans have dealt with their fair share of disappointment over the years — but with the Atlanta Braves hoisting the Commissioner's Trophy in 2021, spirits are at an all-time high.
While the ecstasy of a World Series title can only be rivaled by the thrill of hitting on a multi-leg parlay, it's important not to let your home team bias cloud your judgment when confirming your picks. Be sure to research all of your bets before risking your bankroll. Our how to bet guides are a great place to start.
Other types of gambling
Despite several recent efforts to amend the state’s constitution and permit casino gambling, Georgia continues to be one of the least gambling-friendly states in the nation. Not only does the Peach State have no brick-and-mortar casinos, but all online gambling is illegal as well. The Georgia Lottery stands as the only source of gaming revenue in the state.
Casino
Casino gambling enthusiasts in Georgia will have to leave the state to visit a brick-and-mortar casino. Florida and North Carolina are the top casino destinations for Georgians.
Sweepstakes model online casinos serve as a legal alternative in states without real money online casinos. Sweepstakes casinos allow players to gamble with virtual currency and exchange winnings for real cash prizes.
Poker
Poker is illegal in Georgia, but gamblers can try their luck at a Florida or North Carolina poker room. Online poker is off-limits as well.
Horse racing
Horse race betting is not legal in GA. There have been attempts to bring pari-mutuel wagering to the Peach State — led by the Georgia Horse Racing Coalition — but these efforts have not been met with much fanfare.
Daily fantasy sports
DFS contests are fair game in Georgia. DraftKings and FanDuel continue to lead the way in the Peach State.
Responsible gaming in Georgia
As sports betting becomes increasingly popular in the U.S., the onus is on state regulators to ensure all gambling is met with guidelines for operators and resources for bettors. Although Georgia has yet to legalize sports betting, there are a few places problem gamblers can turn.
The Georgia Department of Health and Behavioral Disabilities and the Georgia Council on Problem Gambling offer hotlines, questionnaires, and referrals to counselors.
Visit the Georgia Council on Problem Gambling
Legal U.S. sports betting markets
When Georgia ultimately legalizes sports betting, it will join the following states:
