Legislation that could authorize online sports betting in the Peach State using legal cover provided by the lottery is making progress in the Georgia legislature.
Last Updated: Jan 30, 2024 11:52 AM ET Read Time: 3 min
Legislation that could authorize online sports betting in the Peach State using legal cover provided by the lottery is making progress in the Georgia legislature.
Georgias Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism amended and passed Senate Bill 386 on Tuesday, giving its blessing to a bipartisan measure that would legalize online sports betting in the state without the constitutional amendment some argue is required.
S.B. 386 would do so by declaring that the General Assembly finds the state constitution already allows lawmakers to pass bills affecting the Georgia Lottery Corp., including by adding online sports betting to its repertoire.
The lottery would oversee all aspects of online sports betting in Georgia and act as the licensing body and regulator for the industry in the southern state. S.B. 386 would allow as many as 16 online sports betting licenses to be awarded to professional sports organizations, online sportsbook operators, and the lottery itself.
There is still a long way to go before sports betting is legal in Georgia in any form. S.B. 386 will now go to the Senate's rules committee for further direction. Georgia's 2024 legislative session is expected to run until late March.
Nevertheless, several friendly tweaks were made to S.B. 386 on Tuesday by the Senates economic development committee. One increased the proposed tax rate for online sports betting revenue to 20% from 15%. The money raised would go to fund education in the state, such as pre-kindergarten programs and post-secondary HOPE scholarships.
Republican Sen. Clint Dixon, one of S.B. 386s sponsors, added that the amendments included provisions intended to encourage the participation of minority-owned companies and a ban on any attempt to offer wagering on the Special Olympics. S.B. 386 would set the minimum legal age for sports wagering at 21, but bettors could not use credit cards to fund their accounts.
S.B. 386 was passed by the Senate committee by an 8-2 vote in its favor. There was, however, some public pushback to the bill during hearing from religious groups, whose words carry weight in a more socially conservative state like Georgia.
The disastrous effects on problem gambling are well known and well documented, said Mack Parnell, executive director of the Georgia Faith and Freedom Coalition, during Tuesdays meeting. I don't have to belabor the point, but we are opposed to this bill.
Mike Griffin, public affairs representative for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, told the committee that the 2020 census found 1.5 million members of the Southern Baptist Convention in the state, making them a significant voting bloc.
This is state-sponsored predatory gambling, Griffin said.
Griffin also claimed there is a legal issue looming, and cited past correspondence he said he received from the attorney generals office arguing against the legality of daily fantasy sports contests in the state. Griffin said there is an integrity issue as well.
There's no way that the people in the state of Georgia believed that they were legalizing sports betting when they voted for the lottery in 1993, he said.
There are concerns about the bill beyond morality. Stuart Wilkinson, appearing on behalf of Atlanta-based daily fantasy sports operator PrizePicks, said they are looking forward to working with lawmakers to perfect some of the language in the bill.
I think specifically we're looking at that fantasy definition, Wilkinson said. We're hoping to tighten that legislation with that language.
S.B. 386 currently defines a fantasy contest as a game or event in which one or more players compete based on winning outcomes that reflect the relative knowledge and skill of the players and are determined predominately by accumulated statistical results of the performance of individuals, including, but not limited to, athletes in sporting events.
PrizePicks operates in its home state of Georgia, offering daily fantasy pick'em contests against the house that other states are taking action against.
Wilkinson said that if a regulatory framework is put in place for daily fantasy sports (perhaps one that authorizes pickem contests against the house) it could increase Georgias haul from taxes and licensing fees by roughly $35 million.
Link:
Georgia Committee Passes Lottery-Reliant Online Sports Betting Bill - Covers
- Discover the best PA online casinos and bonuses like Betway - PennLive - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- Opinion: Reining in the online Wild West in sports betting where the public loses - Hartford Courant - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- Texas Online Casinos 2024 - Best TX Real Money Casino Sites - The Hudson Reporter - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- The Top 9 Best Online Casinos & Real Money Gambling Sites for 2024 | Covington-Maple Valley Reporter - Covington-Maple Valley Reporter - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- Maine online casino bill fails in House, Senate - iGaming Business - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- Legal online gambling contributes 500 mln in taxes - Kathimerini English Edition - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- NY Online Casinos 2024: 10 Best New York Casino Sites - The Hudson Reporter - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- Best Online Casino Canada 2024 - Top Gambling & Betting Sites - Riverfront Times - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- The Prospects of Maryland Joining New Jersey in the Interstate Poker Arena - Eye On Annapolis - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- 5 Unique Innovations in Online Gambling in 2024 - Washington City Paper - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- Maryland legislature fails in online gambling expansion - iGaming Business - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- Maryland online casino legalization push falls flat - EGR North America - EGR Global - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- Mississippi Online Sports Betting Bill Likely Heading to Conference Committee - Sports Betting Dime - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- BitStarz Bitcoin Casino: Multi-award Winning Crypto Casino - Is It Legit or Not Worth the Money? | Covington-Maple ... - Covington-Maple Valley... - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- 25 Best Crypto & Bitcoin Casinos to Play at in 2024 - Cryptonews - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- Could online gambling provide millions to fight sea-level rise in Florida? - Key Biscayne Independent - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- Best Live Bitcoin Casino Sites 2024 - Crypto Gambling & Betting - Riverfront Times - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- Atlantic City Casinos Profit Declines: What's Behind the Numbers? - Point Spreads - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- Best Online Casinos for Real Money in April 2024 - ReadWrite - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- Thailand sees Philippines gambling billions, Singapores resorts and rolls the dice on casinos in hopes of cashing in - South China Morning Post - April 14th, 2024 [April 14th, 2024]
- Online Gambling Is Changing Sports for the Worse - The New Yorker - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- 5 Best Real Money Online Casinos & Online Gambling Sites April 2024 - Bookies.com - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Best Bitcoin Casino Sites 2024 - Provably Fair BTC Gambling - Riverfront Times - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Dominican Republic: Ministry of Finance publishes resolution regulating online gambling - Yogonet International - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Dominican Republic issues new online gambling regulation - iGaming Business - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- The surge in teens that are online gambling - FOX 35 Orlando - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Best North Carolina Online Gambling Sites (2024 Update) - The Hudson Reporter - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Thailand steps up efforts against online gambling, blocks 25,000+ websites - Yogonet International - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Best Washington Online Gambling Sites (2024 Update) - The Hudson Reporter - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Best Online Casinos (April, 2024) - TOP 10 Casino Sites - The Hudson Reporter - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- 10 Best Texas Online Gambling Sites in 2024 (Update) - The Hudson Reporter - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- New online casino brand EP88 Singapore announces launch, unveils games selection - Yogonet International - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Nebraska's Online Sports Betting Hopes for 2024 Likely Over, Coalition Reportedly Won't Back Petition Drive - Covers - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Best Ethereum Casino 2024 - ETH Gambling, Slots & More - Riverfront Times - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- CSGOLuck Review 2024: Deep Analysis & Findings - Riverfront Times - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Ranking the best Ontario online casinos in 2024 - MLive.com - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Is it possible to play at online casinos in the Netherlands? - The Emory Wheel - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- McKeon introduces gambling bill package - NJBIZ - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- US sportsbooks join forces to tackle problem gambling - ReadWrite - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Navigating the Digital Wave: Online Gambling's Soaring Popularity and Revenue -, Gaming Blog - EGamersWorld - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Responsible Gambling Council applauds $6.6 million govt. investment to promote responsible play in Ontario - Yogonet International - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Crypto Revelations According Online Casino Groups: Navigating the Digital Gaming Landscape - Latest Cryptocurrency Prices & Articles - April 4th, 2024 [April 4th, 2024]
- Georgia Senate panel passes another online sports betting bill - The Atlanta Journal Constitution - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- BetMGM's Rise to Dominance in US Gambling and Its New Venture into the UK Market - FingerLakes1.com - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Gaming Gold: How To Choose The Right Online Gambling Options For Your Playstyle - MacSources - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Hawaii Online Poker: What the Future Holds - Pokerfuse - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- 13 Best Texas Online Casinos in 2024 - Real Money Casinos in TX - ReadWrite - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Michigan iGaming and sports betting revenue soars in 2023 - The Jerusalem Post - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Maryland lawmakers revisit online casino legislation with updated bill filed at the Senate - Yogonet International - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Best Online Casinos in Kentucky for 2023 - ReadWrite - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Blockchain Tech in IGaming: Booting Transparency & Integrity The Hype Magazine: Unveiling the Pulse of Urban ... - The Hype Magazine - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Bet365 Officially Launches Sports Betting in Eighth State - Sports Betting Dime - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- What is the Latest News on No Deposit Bonuses in Online Casinos? - FingerLakes1.com - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- bet365 Expands Reach With Launch of Sportsbook in Indiana - Covers - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Record number of people contacted gambling helpline in 2023 figures - Yahoo News UK - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte arrested on online gambling charges - Boston.com - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- One in six admit they probably wouldn't know if their child was betting online, national poll suggests - News-Medical.Net - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Best Live Casinos 2024 - Find a Top Live Dealer Online Casino - ReadWrite - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- The Best Live Dealer Games to Play at MI Online Casinos - Pokerfuse - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Kayshon Boutte facing charges related to illegal online gambling, per reports - Saturday Down South - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Top 5 Online Casino with a No-Deposit Bonus - Eye On Annapolis - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Online Gaming Myths Beginners Should be Aware Of - Play3r - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- 10 Best No KYC Casinos With No ID Verification for 2024 - ReadWrite - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Navigating India's Online Casino Landscape: A Real Money Guide - Udaipur times - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- The Trend in Movie-Themed Slot Games in Online Casinos - Smithfield Times Exploring the Surge in Movie-Themed ... - Smithfield Times - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- The Best Online Casino Jackpots Ever Won - Smithfield Times Top 10 Online Casino Jackpots Unbelievable Wins ... - Smithfield Times - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- What Is The Most Trusted Online Casino - MacSources - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- The Advantages of Indonesian Online Slots - MWWire - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- The Rise of Live Poker Rooms: Transforming New Zeala... - HighstakesDB - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- How to remove Gamstop - Play in non Gamstop casinos - The Jerusalem Post - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- North Carolina sports betting takes key step forward with rules established - The Atlanta Journal Constitution - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- The Art of Bankroll Management: Keeping Your Finances in Check - Smithfield Times Bankroll Management: Your Key ... - Smithfield Times - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- Unmasking the Crypto Casino Boom: Live Streamers and Player Safety - Affiverse - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- How Technology is Transforming the Landscape of Online Gambling - Analytics Insight - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- Is online casino legal in South Africa? - Business Insider Africa - May 22nd, 2023 [May 22nd, 2023]
- NOGA: Dutch participation in online gambling growing - iGaming Business - May 22nd, 2023 [May 22nd, 2023]
- Ontarians Bet Over $35 Billion in First Year of Legal Online Gambling - Yahoo Finance - May 22nd, 2023 [May 22nd, 2023]
- 2022 was a golden year for casinos in the U.S.: grossed $60 billion - Los Cerritos News - May 22nd, 2023 [May 22nd, 2023]
- Online gambling brought in nearly $196 million in Michigan in April - Detroit News - May 22nd, 2023 [May 22nd, 2023]
- How to recruit IT professionals in the online casino industry - Onrec - May 22nd, 2023 [May 22nd, 2023]