Georgia Likely Won’t Have Time to Pass Sports Betting Bill

• The Georgia Committee of Higher Education discussed and further amended a sports betting bill on Monday but didn’t take a vote.
• A vote is expected in Wednesday’s committee meeting since Georgia’s legislative session ends Thursday, March 28.
• Debates over funding disbursement and remaining legislative obstacles mean it is unlikely the main Georgia sports betting package will be passed this year.

ATLANTA – Georgia’s legislative session ends on Thursday, March 28. Will the state have enough time to approve its legal sports betting bill in committee on Wednesday, receive House approval, and receive Senate concurrence all before Thursday?

Time is ticking for Senate Bill 386 to receive enough approval to reach the governor’s desk by Thursday. The Georgia Committee of Higher Education will meet again on Wednesday, where a potential vote on the Georgia sports betting bill is in store.

Monday’s Meeting Had Amendments + Concerns For Future

Sen. Clint Dixon’s sports betting bill GA SB 386 received more amendments in Monday’s committee meeting. There was a sports betting tax rate increase from 20% to 25%, as well as improved language that guarantees operators can’t deduct promotional credits and free bets from their taxable revenue.

The biggest amendments and discussion surrounded the bill’s revenue distribution, which includes 80% towards education, 15% to a responsible gambling fund, and the remaining 5% to the sports promotion fund that attracts sporting events to Georgia.

Monday’s amendments add to an already heavily-amended bill, and many committee members are concerned about how the sports betting revenue will be used. Even if everyone gets on the same page, there’s still plenty of steps to go before Georgia legalizes online sports betting.

Why Georgia Won’t Have Enough Time

Senate Bill 386 must receive a successful vote in Wednesday’s meeting, which is not a guarantee based on discussion from Monday’s meeting. If passed in committee, the bill moves to the full house on the final day of Georgia’s legislative session, where it must receive House approval and Senate concurrence due to the amendments.

Georgia’s sports betting legislation doesn’t seem ready enough for consensus approval in the next two days. If it does, then 16 online sports betting licenses will be available for Georgia’s professional sports teams, venues, and lottery.

News tags: Bill Cowsert | Clint Dixon | GA SB 386 | Georgia