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Georgia Legislature Eyes Legal Sports Betting

Georgia looks poised to be the next state to offer domestic sports betting as three proposals have passed through the committee to be ready for floor consideration. Now all legislatures need to do is agree on the terms. 

A state sports wagering constitutional amendment was passed in 2021, but some state senate members believe the modification is unnecessary to pass a legal sports betting bill.

Georgia Sports Betting Bills

The three sports betting bills in Georgia essentially do the same thing, legalize domestic sports betting, but they vary on how the revenue will be spent and how sports gambling should be offered throughout the state.

  • SB 172/SR. 140 – Proposes legal sports betting through the lottery system with at least six untethered sports betting licenses. Limits depositing to $2,000 monthly, and regulation of that revenue will be spent on educational programs—a $1 million licensing fee.
  • SB57 – This bill proposes that bars, restaurants, and lottery retailers can possess up to two sports betting kiosks and allows five to ten sports betting distributors. The tax rate is set at 20% for both retail and online sports betting—a $1 million licensing fee.
  • HB 480 – This bill allows 16 sports betting licenses with a fee increase of $1.5 million annually. This bill also increases the tax rate to 25% instead of the base of 20% offered by the two previous bills.

Domestic Sports Betting In The United States

Before the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was overturned in 2018, only Las Vegas could offer domestic sports betting. However, 36 states and Washington D.C. have passed domestic sports betting bills since its repeal.

Despite a few states holding out, more states are hammering out the details of domestic sports betting, and more states will join the trend soon. 

Legal Online Sports Betting In The United States

While domestic sports betting has soared to new heights, domestic online sports betting is still in its infancy. USA Sports betting sites that operate outside of state lines have been operating for over 20 years and have perfected the art of online sports wagering. Luckily for avid sports betting enthusiasts, offshore sports wagering is legal and available in most US states. 

Online sportsbooks like Bovada and BetOnline have been accepting wagers for years and have developed a trust factor with many professional sports bettors. Americans, including those in GA, like to wager online due to its convenience and the additional bonus and banking options online sportsbooks offer. The action gets really hot during NFL and NCAAF seasons, with legal options for betting on football in Georgia among the most active wagers of the year.