Lawmaker’s Exit Clouding Future of Georgia Sports Betting Legalization
State Representative Marcus Wiedower, a key leader in the effort to legalize sports betting in Georgia, announced his resignation on October 28, 2025. Wiedower, who represented District 121 (or 119), was considered the “driving force”behind the most significant legislative attempts to authorize wagering. His departure creates uncertainty and threatens to stall previous progress on the issue.
Wiedower’s Legislative Framework
Wiedower, who was first sworn in during 2019, announced he is resigning to pursue a career opportunity in real estate. While three other representatives co-sponsored his two major pieces of legislation, the loss of the primary sponsor leaves a major void.
Wiedower’s proposals focused exclusively on online sports betting overseen by the Georgia Lottery, explicitly excluding retail casinos, kiosks, and horse racing.
- House Bill 686 (HB 686): This bill established the regulatory framework, proposing a 24% tax rate on operator revenue and authorizing up to 16 licenses.
- House Resolution 450 (HR 450): The accompanying resolution aimed to place a constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot in November 2026, allowing voters to decide on legalization.
Revenue from legalization was designated for the HOPE scholarship, pre-K programs, and up to $22.5 million for problem gambling services. Neither bill fully passed the legislative process.
Constitutional Barriers Remain
The legalization effort in Georgia is constantly hampered by the state constitution, which prohibits gambling unless an amendment is passed by voters.
Achieving a constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate. Previous attempts have failed due to partisan disputes over revenue allocation and the requirement for a constitutional referendum.
Wiedower recently chaired the House Study Committee on Gaming in the State of Georgia, which met on October 16. This committee, authorized by HR 753, is set to compile suggestions and a formal report on gambling legalization by December 1, 2025.
Despite the uncertainty caused by Wiedower’s resignation, sports betting bills are likely to be reintroduced when the Georgia legislative session resumes on January 12, 2026. However, without the key sponsor, reaching the constitutional majority will remain a difficult task.
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