Georgia Advances Digital Sports Betting Legislation Amid Tax Rate Increase

A Georgia house committee advanced digital-only sports betting legislation on Wednesday, March 5, with an increased tax rate as part of the package. The rules committee is set to meet next, aiming to bring the legislation to the house floor before Thursday’s crossover deadline.

To be considered in this session, the legislation must be sent to the opposite chamber by the end of Thursday. According to the Georgia General Assembly website, the rules committee will convene at 9 a.m. local time.

The legislation package, which includes a constitutional amendment and a framework bill, passed the higher education committee by voice vote. An amendment was also approved to increase the proposed tax rate in HB 686 from 20% to 24%. However, a proposal to include igaming in the referendum for voter consideration was rejected.

This legislation would specifically legalize only digital sports betting, with the measure set to appear on the November 2026 ballot and a planned launch date of July 31, 2027. If passed, it would establish a competitive market regulated by the Georgia Lottery Corporation.

Eligible for licenses would be Georgia’s professional sports teams, Augusta National Golf Club, Atlanta Speedway, and the PGA Tour, along with seven standalone licenses. The lottery would also be permitted to operate a digital betting platform.

The push for additional funding for education is a driving force behind the legislation. Representative Sam Park introduced both amendments to ensure more resources for universal pre-K education. According to HR 450, 85% of the first $150 million in wagering tax revenue would be allocated to the state’s universal pre-K program and HOPE scholarships.

Committee chair Chuck Martin expressed reservations about including igaming in the constitutional amendment, while Park argued that it could “potentially double the revenue available” for educational programs. The American Gaming Association reports that igaming operator revenue in New Jersey surpassed $2 billion in 2024, compared to $1.2 billion for sports betting.

Martin stated he wanted to learn more about igaming before supporting related legislation. This sentiment appears to resonate with lawmakers across the country, as three state legislatures have already rejected igaming bills this session, and Maryland lawmakers remain divided on the issue.

Regarding the framework bill, sponsor Marcus Wiedower noted that the only change from the 2023 version was the addition of two-factor authentication and the removal of promotional activities.