The Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism added a proposal to legalize mobile sports betting to its final report, marking the latest development in a long-running debate over gaming policy.
The recommendation was inserted shortly before publication and was not discussed publicly during the committee's final meeting.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia's tourism committee added a late recommendation supporting mobile sports betting as part of its final report.
- Lawmakers continue to debate whether wagering revenue could support tourism initiatives and major events.
- Broader gaming reforms face opposition while tourism tax changes and increased state investment remain under consideration.
The comments followed testimony noting that states such as North Carolina use a portion of sports betting revenue to attract major events. This is the same approach some Georgia stakeholders have argued could bolster tourism.
Committee leaders described the suggestion as one of several broad proposals intended to guide future legislative discussions rather than firm policy commitments.
Georgia officials have repeatedly emphasized the sector's economic importance, with more than 174 million visitors generating an estimated $45.2 billion in spending last year.
State lawmakers are evaluating broader gaming reforms as a House committee completes its own review of legalizing wagering. Previous legislative efforts focused narrowly on sports betting without expanding casino gambling, though they faced continued opposition from religious and anti-gambling organizations.
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Legislative uncertainty grows after Wiedower's departure
Georgia's push to establish a regulated sports betting framework encountered a setback in October when Rep. Marcus Wiedower stepped down, removing one of the legislature's most active proponents of wagering legislation. His resignation disrupted ongoing discussions, as he had previously introduced two measures centered on legalizing online betting under the supervision of the Georgia Lottery.
One proposal outlined tax rates and licensing limits, while another called for a statewide referendum in 2026. Both measures excluded casinos, kiosks, and horse racing, aiming to create a narrowly defined online-only market.
With Wiedower no longer in office, the remaining sponsors must revive efforts that have repeatedly stalled due to disagreements over tax distribution and whether constitutional changes are required.
State law currently prohibits gambling unless voters amend the constitution or lawmakers revise the structure of lottery-managed gaming.
Missouri's market shift highlights regional tax and mobility trends
Missouri's experience with sports betting offers a comparison point for Georgia policymakers, particularly as analysts tracked betting behavior before and after legalization.
At the launch of sports betting in Missouri, data indicated over 216,000 active sportsbook accounts. Many state residents had been traveling to other locations, such as Kansas and Illinois, to place sports bets.
These patterns were expected to decrease once the local platforms launched, as bettors tend to favor in-state betting.
Observers noted that interstate sports betting from Missouri was facilitated by its central location and would now be channeled through the state. When Missouri approved legal sports betting in November 2024, it projected annual tax revenues of $28 million.
Although no major influx from other states was expected, officials recognize that current tax increases in Illinois may affect the betting patterns. Experts further noted that increased taxes per wager may impact sportsbook operating margins and the sports betting odds offered to bettors, which could alter the cross-border betting patterns in the region once more.
