2024 Georgia Sports Betting Bill Advances To Senate Debate

• Georgia Senate Bill 172, which would regulate and tax sports betting in the state, advanced to the full Senate for debate.
• Two other Georgia Senators plan to introduce constitutional amendments with sports betting included.
• Despite plenty of bills in circulation, it’s doubtful any will win a two-thirds majority in both chambers.

ATLANTA – The 2024 Georgia legislative session began on Monday and sports betting is at the top of conversation. A sports betting bill advanced out of the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee by an 8-4 vote.

Georgia Senate Bill 172 would regulate and tax legal sports betting in Georgia, but requires a constitutional amendment to go into effect. The bill now heads to the full Senate for debate.

What’s The Best Route: Amendment Or No Amendment?

Senator Bill Cowsert, the sponsor of Senate Bill 172 believes pursuing a constitutional amendment is the best route for bringing legal sports betting to the Peach State. A majority of last year’s failed sports betting bills attempted to regulate sports betting in Georgia without a constitutional amendment.

Georgia professional sports teams and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce support an approach that avoids amending the state’s constitution. The difference in opinions will cause debate in Senate and House floors, potentially giving bill sponsors an idea of what lawmakers would agree with.

Cowsert’s legal Georgia sports betting bill in 2023 required a constitutional amendment but it fell eight votes short of Senate majority. He will propose another constitutional amendment this legislative session with a sole focus on sports betting.

More Georgia Sports Betting Bills Coming Soon

Senator Carden Summers expects to propose a constitutional amendment that would allow sports betting and casinos in Georgia. Fellow Senator Brandon Beach also plans on introducing a similar amendment, but Beach’s would include betting on horses.

The variety of sports betting bills offers more chances for Georgia residents to bet on the NFL soon, but odds are still low for acquiring a majority vote. Last year’s sports betting bills that included horse racing or casino gambling were rejected in the Senate.

News tags: Bill Cowsert | Brandon Beach | Carden Summers | GA SB 172 | Georgia