Efforts to legalize gambling in Georgia have faced challenges in the General Assembly, with a constitutional amendment to legalize online sports betting yet to be introduced and a Senate committee voting down a proposal to bring sports betting and casinos to the state. Disagreements over the need for a constitutional amendment, tax rates, and spending priorities have hindered legislative efforts in recent years, despite the popularity of sports betting in neighboring states.
Supporters of legalizing sports betting argue that Georgians are traveling to other states to place bets, depriving the state of potential revenue. State Rep. Marcus Wiedower plans to introduce a constitutional amendment focused on online sports betting, while Sen. Carden Summers is sponsoring a broader amendment that includes both sports betting and casinos. Summers’ proposal includes dividing the first $2 billion of proceeds evenly among Georgia’s counties to benefit rural areas.
Opponents of legalized gambling, including representatives of religious groups, have raised concerns about the social costs associated with gambling, such as addiction and increased criminal activity. Both Summers and Wiedower are pursuing standalone constitutional amendments without detailed enabling bills, believing that voters should have the final say on whether to legalize gambling in Georgia.
