Georgia kicks off 2024 with fresh hopes for sports betting legislation
Bill 172 to be debated in Senate following backing from the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities and last year's failed attempts to legislate
Georgia lawmakers are set to examine legalizing sports betting in the Peach State after the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities voted to send a bill to the Georgia State Senate for debate.
Senate Bill 172 was voted 8-4 to advance to the full Senate, with hopes sparked that sports betting could come to one of the largest remaining states without a legal framework.
However, in order for sports betting to be even put on the ballot, the vertical must first be approved via a constitutional amendment.
This requires two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate to approve the measure.
In March last year, sports betting legislation hopes were dashed after Senate Resolution 140 fell short of passing by eight votes.
Lawmakers also voted 37-19 against Senate Bill 57 which would have allowed the state lottery to manage sports betting and horse racing betting.
In comments reported by news agency the Associated Press, the bill’s sponsor, Republican Senator William Cowsert said: “I don’t see anything to fear from a constitutional amendment.
“I think if you make a policy change like this, you ought to have the buy-in of both parties and the citizens on board to do that, so I embrace that.”
Alongside Cowsert’s efforts, the Associated Press also reported that Georgia State senators Carden Summers and Brandon Beach plan to introduce an additional amendments to allow sports betting in the state.