Sports Betting in Georgia | State Senate makes another try

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to repeal the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992, the state of Georgia has recently made a renewed attempt to legalize sports betting. The state Senate has recently passed a bill that, if signed into law, would allow for the creation of a legal, regulated sports betting market in the state.

The bill, which has already been approved by the state House of Representatives, would authorize the Georgia Lottery Corporation to issue a variety of licenses that would enable operators to offer wagering on professional and college sports. The bill also includes provisions to protect consumers and ensure that only those individuals who are of legal age to gamble can do so.

In addition to regulating the sports betting market, the bill also includes measures that would require operators to pay a 10 percent tax on gross gaming revenues. This revenue would then be used to fund educational and other public programs.

The bill has the support of a variety of stakeholders, including the Georgia Council on Problem Gambling and the Georgia Professional Sports Integrity Alliance, which are both working to ensure that the regulations of the sports betting market are implemented responsibly.

Though the bill is expected to be signed into law by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, its passage is far from certain. The state Senate is expected to face strong opposition from opponents of gambling expansion, who cite concerns about the potential for gambling addiction and other harms associated with the industry.

While the fate of the bill remains uncertain, it is clear that the debate over legalizing sports betting in Georgia will continue to be a contentious issue in the state legislature. With the state Senate’s recent vote, however, it appears that support for the measure is gradually growing.