The latest bid to legalize sports betting in the Peach State runs through the state lottery and, as a result, could sidestep the need for a constitutional amendment.
Senate Bill 386 was introduced this week — sponsored by 12 different senators from both the Democratic and Republican parties — and was referred to the chamber's economic development and tourism committee.
Georgia Lawmakers spent time the past few years trying to pass a legal sports betting bill to no avail, as debates around the constitutionality of such measures or fights over unrelated legislation have gummed up the works.
S.B. 386 could avoid stoking another debate about the possible need for an amendment to Georgia’s constitution by legalizing the “lottery game of online sports betting” under the oversight of the already legal Georgia Lottery Corp.
“Sports betting shall be overseen and regulated, and may also be offered, by the Georgia Lottery Corporation in a manner that provides continuing entertainment to the public, maximizes revenues, protects consumers, and ensures that sports betting is operated in this state with integrity and dignity and free of political influence,” the legislation states.
Different strokes
The approach differs from another piece of sports betting-related legislation revived earlier this month, S.B. 172, which envisions an amendment to the Georgia constitution and a new “Georgia Sports Betting Commission” to oversee wagering activities. S.B. 172 also provides for in-person sports betting at professional sports venues, which S.B. 386 does not.
Whether or not a majority of Georgia lawmakers go for either bill is yet to be determined. Previous efforts have all fallen short, and there is no telling if another political impasse could arise. S.B. 386, however, could cause fewer headaches and create a quicker path to getting online sports betting up and running in the southern state.
Pay to play
According to the bill, bettors would have to be 21 or older, but they could have a fair amount of mobile sportsbooks to choose from. While the Georgia Lottery would be the “master” licensee, as many as 16 online sports betting licenses could be awarded.
Applicants for those licenses would have to fork over as much as $1 million a year in licensing fees to maintain their five-year permits. Online sports betting revenue would also be taxed at a 15% rate and paid by the operators.
