Lawmakers have been working to legalize sports gambling in Georgia for several years. Unfortunately, 2024 is another year where Republicans and Democrats cannot agree. This was the state’s same problem in 2022. The sports betting bill received zero votes from the state House. In 2024, the same issue will happen. 

Some Democrats have withdrawn their names from the Bill in protest. They’re against the passage of a new bill that limits healthcare treatments for transgender children. Additionally, there was disagreement about how the state’s tax revenue would be spent. Republicans and Democrats agreed that most of the funds from tax revenue should be used for education. Specifically, Republicans wanted the funds for pre-K education. 

However, Democrats wanted to use some of the tax revenue for college financial aid. They also wanted to remove the barrier of maintaining certain grades to receive these funds. The two pirates could not reach an agreement and a sports betting bill failed once again. Not uncommon for Georgia.

Does Georgia sports betting need to be implemented by a constitutional amendment?

Another massive reason why sports gambling hasn’t been legalized in Georgia is due to a constitutional holdup. Politicians have argued that sports betting In Georgia needed to be implemented by a constitutional amendment. Senator Bill Cowsert believes there should be one. That way voters would have a say on the matter and a chance to voice their concerns. Cowsert had this to say.

“I think it’s the politically appropriate thing to do when we make this type of major policy shift in our state,” – said Cowsert, “This is to give voters the opportunity to speak on the issue.” 

Republican Clay Pirkle was pleased to see the Georgia Sports Betting bill fail to get enough support. Pirkle wants to see this legislation sanctioned by the state. If that happens, he believes that will entice people to bet who were formally afraid to do it illegally. States that will legalize sports gambling are thriving and are making millions of dollars each month. Georgia is missing out on that tax revenue from sports gambling.