Lawmakers Delay Georgia’s Sports Betting Expansion Until 2024

Despite strong public support for expanding gaming in Georgia, including sports betting, the General Assembly concluded its 2023 session without passing any laws to do so. Five bills were proposed to legalize sports betting or conduct a study into the merits of doing so, with two resolutions to initiate a ballot referendum and a sports betting study committee, respectively. However, both resolutions failed to gain the necessary majority in the Senate. Republican lawmakers have long held a conservative stance on expanding gambling in the Peach State, and the opinion of former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton that sports betting does not require a constitutional amendment was not enough to sway them. Consequently, Georgia will have to wait until 2024 to see if the General Assembly passes legislation to legalize sports betting.