Lawmakers in Georgia are poised to make another attempt at legalizing sports betting in 2026, following the recent inclusion of the issue in recommendations from a study committee. This comes after years of discussions that failed to yield a consensus amid various challenges. The Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No 1 State for Tourism filed a report in December, which recommended legalizing sports betting.
This recommendation revives the conversation around sports betting in Georgia, where public opinion remains largely supportive, despite ongoing partisan conflicts and constitutional debates that have hindered progress.
Senator Drew Echols, the study committee chairman, noted the recommendation was added last minute. “It was a simple recommendation much like the rest of the list,” he stated. “The recommendations are just that. Hard to say how many if any of the recommendations will come to fruition.”
In recent sessions, multiple proposals for sports betting have emerged but have consistently faced obstacles due to a lack of bipartisan support and disputes over the need for a constitutional amendment.
Complicating matters further is the recent departure of Representative Marcus Wiedower, a key advocate for sports betting, who resigned in October 2025. Wiedower had introduced a bill aiming for 16 licenses with a 24% tax rate on revenue, accompanied by a constitutional amendment resolution. His exit raises concerns about the future of these proposals, according to industry consultant John Pappas, who remarked, “It doesn’t mean it’s dead, but he’s built a lot of credibility on the issue that will be hard to replace.”
Industry sentiment surrounding the prospects for legalizing sports betting in 2026 appears pessimistic. Brandt Iden, vice president of government affairs at Fanatics Betting & Gaming, expressed concerns about the challenges posed by an upcoming election year. “There are a number of political hurdles that are large that exist. They are issues that need to be overcome that make it more difficult,” he said. Another industry source candidly stated, “Georgia isn’t legalizing sh**.”
The study committee convened four times before submitting its report on December 1. According to Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia welcomed over 174 million tourists in 2024, who contributed more than $45.2 billion to the state’s economy.
Senator Echols highlighted the need for continuous efforts to enhance tourism: “While we’ve been in a great spot, the number one place to do business … that doesn’t mean we don’t need to keep working, keep pushing forward, get out of the box in our thinking about how we fund projects, how we market tourism and things like that.”
During the committee meetings, lawmakers listened to over a dozen industry representatives discussing sports betting and gambling. Former North Carolina Representative Jason Saine, who was instrumental in legalizing sports betting in his state, advised Georgia lawmakers that the state could generate upwards of $100 million in tax revenue in its first year. He noted, “Quite frankly, we’ve been held up as an example for other states. We think we hit a sweet spot.”
In addition to those advocating for sports betting, prominent casino companies including Bally’s Corp, Boyd Gaming, Gaming and Leisure Properties, and Wynn Resorts participated in discussions during the committee meetings. Opponents, such as the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, voiced their concerns, arguing that while the industry may bring tax revenue, it also risks increasing problem gambling. “It’s intellectually dishonest to talk about the benefits of gambling without talking about the detriments,” said Mike Griffin from the board.
The path to legalizing sports betting in Georgia is fraught with challenges. A primary issue is the division among lawmakers regarding the necessity of a constitutional amendment. Some believe it is essential, while others contend that it can operate under the Georgia Lottery's regulations. Pursuing a constitutional amendment complicates the legislative process, as it requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers along with statewide voter approval.
During the 2025 session, a semblance of agreement emerged among lawmakers, with various proposals linked to constitutional resolutions. If a resolution makes headway, sports betting legalization could be placed on the November 2026 ballot.
Georgia's political landscape presents additional complications, as seen in past legislative efforts. In 2021, support for sports betting waned among Democrats following the passage of a contentious voting rights bill by Republicans. During the 2023 session, lawmakers sought to amend an unrelated bill after previous sports betting proposals failed to pass before the critical crossover deadline.
Public backing for sports betting remains strong, with a University of Georgia survey from last year indicating that 63% of voters support legalization. This sentiment is echoed by professional sports teams in Atlanta, who also participated in discussions during the study commission's meetings.
Among those present were top executives like Jennifer Mastin Giglio from the Atlanta Braves, Tim Zulawski of Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment, and Andrew Saltzman from the Atlanta Hawks. Lindsay Slader, SVP of compliance at GeoComply, revealed that attempts to log in to sportsbooks only available in other states surged by 66% during the 2024-25 NFL season, accounting for 4.4 million checks from 366,000 accounts. She pointed out a significant activity surge at Exit 1 on I-75 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where 834,000 geolocation checks were recorded from 13,000 accounts throughout the season.
