Georgia’s Sports Betting Hopes Fade for 2025
Georgia’s bid to legalize sports betting has hit a wall, with the state legislature failing to pass necessary constitutional amendments and enabling legislation before the 2025 session deadline. The Peach State’s long-running dream of joining the ranks of betting-friendly states is now deferred, likely until 2026.
A Missed Opportunity
The House of Representatives didn’t even debate the latest sports betting proposals this session, sealing their fate for 2025. Two key measures, House Resolution 450 and House Bill 686, needed traction but got none.
HR 450 aimed to set up a constitutional amendment vote in November 2026, asking Georgians if sports betting should fund pre-K programs and HOPE scholarships.
HB 686, dubbed the “Georgia Sports Betting Act,” laid out the framework: up to 16 online licenses, a 24% tax rate, and revenue for education, healthcare, and poverty reduction.
Passage required a two-thirds majority in both chambers, a hurdle too high without bipartisan support. Democrats’ backing faltered, and some Republicans voiced concerns about gambling addiction risks, especially for younger residents. The result is no vote, no progress in another chapter in Georgia’s legalization saga, which dates back to 2020.
What Could Have Been
HB 686 had big plans. It proposed licensing five pro sports teams, like the Atlanta Braves and Falcons, plus the PGA Tour, Augusta National Golf Club, and Atlanta Motor Speedway. Seven more “unaffiliated” licenses would’ve gone to public bidding, with operators facing a $100,000 application fee and $1 million annual license cost. Bettors had to be 21, and college prop bets were off-limits.
Revenue was the hook. The bill earmarked 85% of the first $150 million annually for pre-K and education, with the rest, and all funds above $150 million, following suit.
The remaining 15% of that initial chunk would’ve tackled gambling addiction programs. At a 24% tax rate, the setup promised a hefty boost to state coffers, but it’s all on hold now.
Roadblocks and Resistance
The sticking point was the constitution. Legalizing sports betting demanded an amendment, which needed supermajorities that never materialized.
Republican worries about addiction clashed with the revenue pitch, while Democrats didn’t rally enough votes to tip the scales. Past efforts, like last year’s, also crashed in the Senate.
The debate wasn’t just about gambling. It was about how to fund priorities without leaning on a controversial lever. Without consensus, Georgia’s legislature couldn’t bridge the gap, leaving the issue sidelined for another year.
For 2025, sports betting in Georgia is dead. Looking ahead, 2026 offers a lifeline. HR 450’s referendum idea could still hit ballots if revived, letting voters decide.
Supporters will need to hustle, winning over wary Republicans and rallying Democrats to secure those two-thirds votes. Education campaigns might help, touting benefits like safer betting markets and cash for schools.
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