Georgia Senators Introduce Sports Betting Bill

  • Senate Bill 57 would not need a constitutional amendment to legalize sports betting
  • It would allow for up to 18 online sports betting licenses, as well as retail offerings
Atlanta Falcons fan
Eleven senators in Georgia have introduced a new sports betting legalization bill that would not need a constitutional amendment and thus would not require a public vote. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

A group of senators in Georgia have come together to introduce a new sports betting legalization bill. The key: a constitutional amendment would not be necessary if Senate Bill 57 bill gets support in the legislature. That means htat legal sports betting could come to the Peach State before the end of 2023 as a public vote on the matter would not be needed.

allow for as many as 18 online sports betting licenses

The bill would allow for as many as 18 online sports betting licenses. This would include nine licenses for sports teams, NASCAR, and the PGA, with the remaining licenses up for grabs through a competitive bidding process. The bill would also legalilze retail sports betting, even though there are no casinos in Georgia. It proposes the creation of the Georgia Sports Betting Commission to regulate the sector.

This bill has yet to be sent to a committee; the state’s current legislative session comes to a close at the end of March. Senate Bill 57 proposes a tax rate of 20% on adjusted sports betting revenue. Licenses would initially cost $100,000 and carry an annual renewal fee of $1m. It is unclear if the bill will get enough support to make progress this year.

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