- Gary Richardson says Georgia still lacks the votes for sports betting legalization.
- Concerns over addiction, micro-betting, and local economic harm continue to stall momentum.
- With a constitutional amendment needed, two-thirds of House approval remains a steep hurdle.
- Richardson urges Georgians to weigh both revenue potential and long-term social costs.
ATLANTA – While many states across the U.S. have embraced sports betting, Georgia remains firmly on the fence. In a Tuesday interview with Fox54’s Trent Butler, Georgia Representative Gary Richardson offered a clear-eyed, measured view of where the state stands on legal sports betting and the complicated issues holding it back.
“Sports betting has been the hot topic for the last few years,” Richardson said. “But it’s never made it to the floor.”
Despite repeated interest, sports betting legislation in Georgia has consistently stalled before reaching a full vote. Richardson attributes that stagnation to a mix of public concern, constitutional hurdles, and the complexity of the issue itself. For legal sports betting in Georgia to see advancement, lawmakers must pass a constitutional amendment, one that requires 120 votes in the House.
So far, that threshold remains out of reach.
“There’s a lot of people that think [legalizing sports betting] is something Georgia needs to do,” Richardson acknowledged. “I think there’s a lot of people in Georgia that are doing some online sports betting now.”
Even though many Georgians are already placing bets through online sportsbooks, regulating it on the state level is still a hot-button issue.
One of Richardson’s core concerns centers on gambling addiction and its ripple effect on families and local economies. He referenced early committee meetings where troubling data emerged. Richardson warned that addiction could pull money away from essential needs and harm those who can least afford it.
“The first committee meeting stated 25-30% [of people] estimated will have gambling problems. I think that’s a lot. Addiction costs the state a lot of money. If you got a gambling problem, you’re probably not investing in the local economy or buying groceries for your family.”
Even if the sports betting revenue projections are as high as $115–$150 million, Richardson questions whether the social costs would outweigh the benefits.
Use of Funds: The HOPE Scholarship Debate
A common pro-sports betting argument in Georgia is the potential to use tax revenues to fund the HOPE Scholarship, similar to how the state lottery has operated. While Richardson acknowledges the benefit, he also cautions against overlooking the damage the lottery has caused.
“A lot of people have benefitted from [the lottery], but a lot of people have lost their livelihood over that. Both sides need to be weighed out… it’s a big decision.”
Richardson stated he is not campaigning for or against legalization. But he’s concerned that many Georgians may not fully understand what legalized sports betting now looks like “when you can bet on every play, every pitch, every shot…”
The rise of micro-betting, wagering on specific in-game events, adds a layer of intensity and risk that Richardson believes is too often overlooked.
“We hear this ‘sports is for entertainment’… well when you’re putting your resources down, I don’t know that that’s for entertainment.”
Where Do Georgians Stand?
While polls and industry advocates claim growing public support, Richardson says he hears otherwise, having heard more from people who are NOT in favor. And even though there’s some appetite to let Georgia voters decide, Richardson worries many won’t take the time to truly understand the implications.
“I think a lot of people would like [the ability to vote on regulation], but a lot of people don’t educate themselves on some of the votes.”
Despite the challenges, Richardson expects the issue to stay front and center in upcoming sessions. However, he believes education and honest dialogue must come before action.
While Georgia could join the states with online sportsbooks in 2026, Richardson wants the public to look beyond flashy revenue projections and take a hard look at what sports betting really means for communities, kids, and the future of the state.
For more quotes and information about this discussion, visit FOX54’s website: Trent Talks: Debate over legal sports betting continues in Georgia.
