Ga Sports Betting
Georgia does not regulate its sports betting industry (more on that later), which means you will need to rely on the site you play at to help you out. There are a few support options that we feel benefit players the most. We recommend joining Georgia sports betting sites that offer a live chat support option. Jan 21, 2021 Gambling supporters in Georgia are hopeful, since after a long waiting period, the state of Michigan will finally be launching online casino gaming and sports betting this month. The legalization will require support from two-thirds in each chamber of the Legislature and a majority of Georgia voters.
If you’re a die-hard gambler, Georgia may not be the state for you. The Peach State have some of the strictest laws against gambling in general, much less sports betting.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was overturned on May 14, 2018 allowing each state in the country to propose and create their own laws and regulations for sports betting.
However, very little gambling currently takes place in Georgia right now. Gambling activities are currently limited to the state lottery and Powerball, plus charitable raffles. Not even bingo or pull tab tickets are legal right now. If you’re willing to take to the Eastern shores, the Emerald Princess Casino is the state’s only cruise ship casino and even then, still can only offer slot machines.
Maybe the one bright spot for Georgia sports bettors is that like many states, while there is no law allowing online betting, there is also no law against it either. This means Georgians are able to play daily fantasy games on sites like DraftKings and FanDuel.
Georgians living in the southern portion of the state are very limited and would have to travel to a neighboring state just to find a casino, though without sports betting, as Florida, South Carolina and Alabama are also yet to legalize. Though northern residents can take advantage of the legalized sports betting options in both Tennessee and North Carolina.
When Will Online Sports Betting Be Legal in Georgia?
The Peach State could be one of the states furthest away from introducing sports betting. The state of Georgia does not even have any physical casinos right now, though a current bill has been proposed which would permit the building of two casinos in the future. However, so strict are the laws in Georgia, that the bill refers to the locations as “destination resorts” as opposed to casinos.
Even such events like horse and greyhound racing are prohibited, which is very rare across the United States.
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has long been opposed to additional gambling in the state, but has at the very least stated he’s open to further discussion. Not wanting sports betting to overtake the state lottery and a heavy tax on casino operators are still big stumbling blocks.
However, there is support for sports betting in the state with several major sports teams expressing their support, and polls showing a favorable appetite among voters. Earlier legislation had also been proposed in 2019 to allow for legalized sports betting in Georgia, but did not gain momentum. Further bills expired after Crossover Day back on March 12, 2020. Gambling may very well make it onto the ballet in November with further bills, however, some legislators are against the idea simply because they can’t agree on where to direct the funds from such an endeavour.
Georgia is facing a steep budget shortfall and discussions around sports betting and gambling in general could very well be revisited. It’s estimated that gaming in general could create around $500 million in additional revenue for the state. But in a state that has such a long history of being anti-gambling, and one that would likely require a constitutional amendment through a referendum, plus a vote on whether residents want a casino in their city or county, that day may still be very far away.
Georgia Sports Betting FAQs
Will Georgia legalize sports gambling?
A Republican senator filed legislation that would legalize online sports betting in Georgia. The goal is to expand gambling through the state lottery system without requiring a constitutional amendment.
Is DraftKings legal in Georgia?
DraftKings is allowed to be played in Georgia as it is considered a game of skill.
How much money was gambled illegally in Georgia in 2019?
It’s estimated that $1.5 billion was wagered illegally in Georgia in 2019.
Another state is looking to bring in some sports betting tax revenue in 2021. In a filing to the state legislatures, Georgia Republican Ron Stephens and five other co-sponsors are attempting to push forward sports betting in the Peach State.
The proposed bill would give sports bettors six online-only sportsbooks with remote registration. The model that Georgia would institute will be similar to Tennessee. Tennessee adopted an online-only sports betting model, and the Tennessee Education Lottery oversees sports betting in the state.
In Georgia, plenty of sportsbooks will look to gain access to the 10 million people that inhabit the Peach State. Each one will be vying for a license as many states in the south have yet to hop on the sports betting bandwagon.
Georgia Sports Betting Could Gain Traffic From Florida And Other Neighbors
Georgia is uniquely placed within the country. According to a fact sheet from the Hartsfield-Jackson, Atlanta airport, they are located within a two-hour plane ride from80% of the US population. The Atlanta airport is home to 150 US destinations and more than 75 foreign destinations in 50 countries.
Garnering interest from sports bettors who are waiting for flights is not the only point of interest for the state. Most of the southern states in the US have resisted online sports betting to this point. In fact, only Tennessee has opted to legalize sports betting in that area.
Florida is looking to right this wrong as they are attempting to legalize sports betting. However, there are legal hoops to jump through in order for that bill to hit the governor’s desk.
Ideally, Georgia will be able to use its location to bring in clients who may or may not be traveling. Furthermore, its proximity to Florida, a state with a massive population, could bring in additional revenue.
Does The Bill Have A Chance?
The bill proposed would include a $900,000 annual fee. This would be paid by the sportsbook to the state on a yearly basis. There is also a $50,000 license application fee to all sportsbooks who are applying for the license.
New York Sports Betting
Moreover, Georgia would make a 16% tax revenue on adjusted gross sports wagering income. These are massive numbers for the state so it should definitely make legislatures happy.
However, there was a similar bill that failed last year. The bill got approved by the House but was rejected by the Senate.
Ga Sports Betting News
The expectation is that this bill will get through the House, whether it progresses through the Senate and onto the governor’s desk is yet to be seen.