A Georgia lawmaker is taking another swing at legalizing sports betting.
Key Takeaways
- HB910 calls for the Georgia Lottery to regulate and license sports betting.
- The bill doesn’t need a voter referendum.
- Up to 18 sportsbooks could be licensed if the bill passes as is.
Rep. Matt Hatchett reintroduced House Bill 910 on Monday, marking the first attempt in 2026 to bring sports wagering to the Peach State. The bill, which was introduced in April 2025, calls for the Georgia Lottery to regulate and license up to 18 online sportsbooks.
ICYMI: Georgia lawmakers have re-introduced mobile sports betting legislation for the 2026 session; current bill would place sports betting under the purview of the state lottery and would not require a voter referendum; if passed, would allow for up to 18 books
— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) January 13, 2026
Hatchett’s bill would be an amendment to the state’s lottery act and would not require a voter referendum on the 2026 ballot. The proposed legislation doesn’t attempt to legalize casinos or pari-mutuel wagering.
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State of wagering
Currently, the education lottery is the only form of Georgia-regulated gaming in the Peach State, which is one of the most sought-after U.S. jurisdictions remaining for sports betting operators. Missouri became the 39th state to add sports betting when it launched online operations in December 2025.
Georgia lawmakers have made several attempts dating back to February 2020 to add sports betting in a state with several professional teams and major college sports. Whether it’s an amendment to the state’s constitution or getting sports wagering on a voter ballot, the state has yet to come close to making sports betting in Georgia a reality since legislative efforts began.
Each year, though, bills fail to get very far. Could that finally change in 2026?
Uphill battle
Rep. Matt Reeves told Channel 2 Action News last week he thinks sports betting revenue in Georgia would be in the billions and would help fund education.
“We got the Peach Bowl here today with these two states who are benefiting for their kids’ education, whereas Georgia is not getting a dollar from it, even though millions of Georgians are placing bets,” Reeves said.
Sports betting proponents hit a significant roadblock late last year when Rep. Marcus Wiedower, who has proposed multiple online gaming bills, resigned. A House committee studied legalizing online sports betting, but made no recommendations to lawmakers.
It appears bringing wagering to the Peach State is still an uphill battle for proponents, but it’s one that will continue through 2026 with legislators.
