Senate Bill For GA Sports Betting Is Now On The Table

GA Senate Bill 142 would make mobile sportsbooks legal in Georgia.
There is also House Bill 86 that would legalize a sports betting industry in the state via mobile applications.
GA SB 142 is also suggesting legal retail sports wagering kiosks in addition to mobile sportsbook platforms.

ATLANTA – A House bill in Georgia to legalize sports betting has been on the radar and making moves for the Peach State in 2021 but now a Senate bill has been introduced on Tuesday that could offer more for the industry should it be passed.

Both proposals are similar in terms of having a minimum of six mobile sports wagering operators and no cap for the number of licenses that could be handed out.

They each also name the Georgia Lottery as the regulator of their legal sports betting market and official league data may be required for operators to be able to open in the state.

The Differences Between The Two Bills

While House Bill 86 and Senate Bill 142 have their similarities, it’s the differences that could ultimately set up which will be favored by the Georgia General Assembly when it comes time for decisions to be made.

GA SB 142 has not yet been placed on the docket for its first hearing while the House Bill has passed through its first reading.

GA HB 86 for legal Georgia sports betting has a tax rate of 14% with the first draft calling for 16% before it was amended. Senate Bill 142 is only requesting 10% on all GGR from the market. But each bill again shows their similarities with a $50,000 application fee and a whopping $900,000 in yearly license renewal fees.

The Senate bill allows for wagering on collegiate sports that are not affiliated with any institutions in Georgia. This means that all the Georgia Bulldog fans of which there are many will still be placing their wagers on the games with outside sources like offshore mobile sportsbooks.

The House Bill prohibits all college sports betting, not just for schools in the Peach State which would be a major blow to college football fans in the state.

The Outlook For Sports Wagering Bills On The Table In Georgia

On paper, GA SB 142 would offer more to Georgians and a potential legal sports wagering market. No mandatory holds are required with the Senate bill. And while each bill is strictly mobile sports betting, Senate Bill 142 opens the door to retail sportsbook terminals at certain establishments.

Until the latest proposal to legalize sports betting in Georgia gets time on the floor, there is no way of telling which way lawmakers will go.

The Georgia General Assembly adjourns on April 2. No further dates for hearings on sports wagering legalization with either bill have been posted on the schedule yet.

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Christina Monroe

Christina has been writing for as long as she can remember and does dedicated research on the newly regulated sports betting market. She comes from a family of sports lovers that engage in friendly bets from time to time. During the winter months, you can find Christina baking cookies and beating the entire staff at Mario Kart…the N64 version of course.