Georgia Hearing Reveals Ugly Side of Legal Sports Betting

• Testimony in the House Higher Education Committee on Tuesday Night mainly opposed Georgia sports betting bills HR 450 and HB 686.
• While GA HB 686 lays the groundwork for regulating an industry, HR 450 is an exact copy of a measure that was approved in the Senate last year.
• As written, both measures would require a constitutional amendment, being approved by a statewide referendum in 2026.

ATLANTA, GA — The debate over legalizing sports betting in Georgia took a contentious turn yesterday as opponents of gambling expansion delivered stark warnings about its potential consequences. Testimonies in the state legislature painted a grim picture of gambling addiction, financial devastation, and what some called “state-sponsored predatory gambling.”

Mack Parnell of the Georgia Faith and Freedom Coalition strongly opposed efforts to make legal Georgia sports betting a reality, rejecting the notion that taxation and oversight would make it safer. “The argument that this is already something happening in the state, so we need to regulate it and tax it—that argument could be made about any number of problematic activities,” Parnell said.

Opposition also came from religious groups, including the Georgia Baptist Convention. Mike Griffin, a representative, pointed to a 2022 resolution passed by the organization opposing sports betting. He referenced the Christian Index, a Baptist publication, which has consistently warned of gambling’s moral and financial dangers.

Griffin cited the massive financial disparity between pro-gambling interests and those fighting against legalization. “We’re being outspent 250-to-1,” suggesting that deep-pocketed gambling companies are driving the push for legal online sportsbooks, despite evidence of widespread harm.

The Cost of Gambling Addiction

Testimony included harrowing statistics on gambling addiction, with claims that 5-20% of gambling revenue comes from problem gamblers. The social costs, according to opponents, far outweigh any potential state revenue.

“For every dollar that comes in, it will cost the state three to five dollars in social and economic damage,” multiple speakers argued.

Gambling addiction has been classified by the American Psychiatric Association as having effects similar to opioid and cocaine dependence. One staggering statistic presented at the hearing was that one-third of gambling addicts attempt suicide, with 10% succeeding.

Perhaps just as concerning: rising gambling rates among minors. “Kids are showing double the gambling rate compared to the general population,” cautioning that the accessibility of online betting makes it especially dangerous for young people.

Case Studies: The Cost of Legalization

Data from other states with legal sports betting was also presented, showing the long-term effects. Despite the belief that regulating sportsbooks will eliminate the unregulated market, offshore gambling rates increased by 4% in 2022 and then 13% the following year in Massachusetts.

The Illinois Department of Human Services reported that problem gambling and gambling addiction is costing the state between $5 billion and $13 billion, with an estimated 383,000 addicted gamblers and 761,000 problem gamblers.

A study from the University of San Diego, which analyzed 700,000 online sports betting accounts, found that 96% of users had lost money, with only 2,800 accounts showing a positive balance. One expert summarized it bluntly: “Sports betting makes its money by turning people into losers.”

The Next Steps

• With Georgia historically hesitant to expand gambling, it remains uncertain whether sports betting legalization will gain traction.
• Still, the Georgia House has two days to pass legislation onto the Senate; otherwise, the 2025 efforts will end.
• According to Chairman Chuck Martin, voting will happen Wednesday at 1 p.m. or Thursday morning.
• Assuming the Higher Education Committee approves the measure, it would require approval over the full House before Thursday ends.

News tags: American Psychiatric Association | GA HB 686 | GA HR 450 | Georgia | Georgia Baptist Convention | Georgia Faith and Freedom Coalition | Georgia House Higher Education Committee | Illinois Department of Human Services | Mac Parnell | Massachusetts | The Christian Index | University of San Diego