The issue of legalizing sports betting in Georgia is being brought back up thanks to an amendment that was made to a bill in that state. For this change to take effect, the state constitution does not need to be changed.

The legislation was introduced as an amendment to House Bill 237, but some lawmakers are concerned that the strategy might not work.

Top 2 Sports Betting Sites For Players From New York in 2024

• Slot Title
• Pay Back
• Key Features

1

50% first deposit bonus up to $250

• Min. Deposit: $10
• Payout speed: 15 minutes

50% first deposit bonus up to $250Play NowOur score:

50% first deposit bonus up to $250

Read more

2

125% Up to $2,500 Welcome Bonus

• Minimum Deposit: $100
• Payout Speed: 1-2 business days

125% Up to $2,500 Welcome BonusPlay NowOur score:

125% Up to $2,500 Welcome Bonus

Read more

3

Welcome Bonus: 50% Up to $1,000

• Min. Deposit: $45
• Payout speed: 210 business days

Welcome Bonus: 50% Up to $1,000Play NowOur score:

Welcome Bonus: 50% Up to $1,000

Read more

The Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee added to House Bill 237 the idea of making sports betting legal. The goal of this legislation is to make wagering on sports legal by the beginning of 2024 without asking Georgia voters to amend the state constitution. However, the likelihood of this legislation being successful is uncertain.

The amendment was a response to the fact that previous attempts to legalize sports betting in the House and Senate had been unsuccessful before the deadline to move on to the other chamber.

But Representative Leesa Hagan, who wrote the bill, hates slapping sports betting on top of it.

It was the intention of House Bill 237 to make the Southeast Soap Box Derby in Lyons the official soap box derby of the state, but Hagan made it clear that she did not want the bill, which she had supported, to include any provisions related to betting on sporting events.

The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism replaced House Bill 237, sponsored by Rep. Hagan, which would establish the Southeast Georgia Soap Box Derby as the official soap box derby of the State of Georgia with language that now makes it a Sports Betting bill. pic.twitter.com/3NveW3Qnul

— Michael R. Griffin (@mikegriffinsr) March 16, 2023

Senator Mike Dugan expressed his opinion that the move had “just set sports betting back five years.” He said that putting sports betting on a soapbox derby would be bad for those who haven’t decided where they stand yet, including himself, since he wouldn’t support the bill.

Dugan also stated that the move had “just set sports betting back five years.”

Both the chairman of the committee, Brandon Beach, and the speaker of the house, Jon Burns, are of the opinion that this is not the case. Beach stated that the plan had the support of the lieutenant governor, Burt Jones, while Burns stated that the legalization of sports betting might not be dead for the year. Beach is the chairman of the committee.

Details of the Latest Proposal to Legalize Sports Betting

According to the proposal, the Georgia Lottery Corporation, which will be in charge of administering sports betting, as well as each of Atlanta’s major sports teams—the Braves, Hawks, Falcons, United, and Dream—will acquire a license to participate in sports betting.

The Master’s golf tournament, the Professional Golfers’ Association, and the owners of Atlanta Motor Speedway will all receive licenses.

This will leave seven licenses available for commercial operators such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM, for a total of 16 online sportsbooks. There will be no brick-and-mortar locations for wagering on sports.A tax of 22% will be levied on sportsbook operators, and the money raised from this tax will be distributed to the selected beneficiaries of the lottery, which include college scholarships and publicly financed childcare programs.

Supporters of authorizing the lottery with the sports betting administration, led by former state Supreme Court Justice Harold Melton, argue that the proposal will not violate the constitutional prohibition of casinos or pari-mutuel betting.

On the other hand, opponents believe that voters did not consider sports betting to be a part of the state lottery when they approved it in 1992. Melton backs the supporters of authorizing the lottery with sports betting administration.

The newly modified law will now be considered by the Senate, and if it is passed, it will be sent to the House of Representatives.

Mobile Sports Betting Bonus in Georgia: Claim a quick 50% bonus of up to $250 once you make an initial deposit on Bovada!