The son of the U.S. President wants to see sports betting legalized in two Southern states.
Key Takeaways
- Donald Trump Jr. would like to see Georgia and Alabama change their gaming laws.
- Neither state has come close to legalizing sports betting.
- Trump Jr. is tied to two prediction market platforms.
Donald Trump Jr. responded to a post on social media site X, saying that it is “crazy” Georgia and Alabama residents couldn’t wager on a top 20 primetime showdown between the states’ two premier football programs.
Trump Jr. added that he “totally” agrees with “changing” laws to allow for sports betting in those states.
Crazy. Totally agree on changing it. https://t.co/agcdiQsEq5
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 28, 2025
The Crimson Tide beat the Bulldogs 24-21, but no one in either state was able to bet on Alabama’s first trip to Georgia’s Sanford Stadium in a decade, despite neighboring states like Tennessee and North Carolina offering legal sports betting.
Alabama and Georgia lawmakers both attempted to legalize sports betting in 2025, but proposed legislation didn’t get far enough to have any hope of passing in either state.
Promise in the Peach State?
Georgia, however, appears much closer to making sports wagering a reality than Alabama. Gaming proponents in the Peach State believe 2026 could be the year of change, despite multiple previous attempts failing to gain traction.
State lawmakers have either been opposed to legalizing online Georgia sports betting and casinos or found it too difficult to amend the state’s constitution, forcing voters to make the needed changes.
Peach State legislators created the House Study Committee on Gaming earlier this year. The PGA Tour recently voiced its support for sports betting. The allure of millions and millions of dollars in tax revenue could make it too hard for Georgia lawmakers to pass on additional gaming in a state that only offers a lottery.
Daily fantasy sports sites also operate in Georgia. PrizePicks, headquartered in Atlanta, is an official sponsor of the MLB’s Braves.
Far from gaming
While Georgia is loaded with professional teams that could cast support for legalized sports betting, like several in Missouri did to help get a wagering initiative on the ballot last year, there is no such draw in Alabama.
The Yellowhammer State’s sports scene is mostly about NCAA teams, and the college governing body is seeking limitations on sports betting, not advancements, so there won’t be support there.
Lawmakers also appear to be much farther away from getting on board compared to Georgia. An Alabama state senator said in April, when his legislation attempt died, that he didn’t think the Yellowhammer State would legalize any gaming for at least two decades.
Alabama does have DFS, but unlike neighboring Mississippi, which allows sports betting at casinos, there is no true form of gaming or sports betting in Alabama, not even the lottery.
Prediction platform ties
That doesn’t mean Georgia and Alabama residents are excluded from prediction markets that offer sports outcome event contracts. Kalshi, a popular prediction platform, is federally regulated and legal in all 50 states. Trump Jr. became an advisor for Kalshi earlier this year.
Polymarket, another large prediction platform, is set to relaunch soon in the U.S. Trump Jr. was recently named to Polymarket’s advisory board. Venture capital firm 1789, where Trump Jr. is a partner, made a strategic investment in Polymarket last month.
