Key Moments:
- A late recommendation for mobile sports betting was inserted into the Senate Study Committee’s final report on tourism
- Debate persists over linking sports wagering revenue to tourism investments, inspired by models such as North Carolina’s
- Legislative action remains uncertain following Rep. Marcus Wiedower’s resignation and ongoing opposition to gaming expansion
New Recommendations Spur Legislative Attention
Georgia’s longstanding debate on mobile sports betting has gained renewed momentum after a last-minute addition to the Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism’s final report. This proposal, which had not been addressed in the committee’s most recent public meeting, was included just before the report’s release, according to Chairman Drew Echols.
Potential for Tourism-Driven Gambling Revenue
Earlier discussions highlighted how other states have directed sports betting revenue toward bolstering tourism. Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce government affairs coordinator Nick Fernandez pointed out North Carolina’s strategy of allocating 30% of sports betting proceeds to attracting major events – a model advocated by some in Georgia. Fernandez remarked to senators, “We’ll see if that’s taken up next year and where that issue lies. We certainly see sports betting as a potential revenue source for major sporting events.”
Echols emphasized the tentative nature of the recommendations, stating, “The recommendations are just that. Hard to say how many if any of the recommendations will come to fruition.” The report also advises updates to tax collection policies related to tourism and increased state funding to support visitor engagement, although Echols noted that lawmakers have not had substantial strategic discussions about tourism in recent years.
Legislative Dynamics and Opposition
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp reported over 174 million visitors and $45.2 billion in tourism spending last year. Nonetheless, broader efforts to expand gaming remain contentious, encountering resistance from organizations worried about the potential harms of increased gambling activity.
Mike Griffin, representing the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, told lawmakers: “It’s intellectually dishonest to talk about the benefits of gambling without talking about the detriments.”
House Committee Progress and Roadblocks
A parallel House Committee studying wagering policy has wrapped up four meetings and is working on its own report. However, progress slowed in October after the resignation of Rep. Marcus Wiedower, who had sponsored two online betting bills. One bill proposed a 2026 statewide referendum on sports betting, and both suggested licensing through the Georgia Lottery, excluding casinos, kiosks, and horse racing.
With Wiedower’s departure, remaining backers must continue discussions on key points, including tax frameworks and whether constitutional amendments are needed. Present law bars additional forms of gambling unless they are approved by constitutional change or modifications to lottery operations.
Regional Perspective: Missouri’s Sports Betting Rollout
Missouri’s sports betting launch has served as a case study for Georgia observers. At introduction, Missouri saw over 216,000 active sportsbook accounts, hinting at significant demand as well as cross-border bettors who previously wagered in Kansas and Illinois.
| State | Recent Sports Betting Launch | Tax Revenue Projection | Initial Account Registrations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | Approved November 2024 | $28 million annually | 216,000+ |
With Missouri now forecasting $28 million in annual sports betting tax revenue, analysts anticipate fewer bets leaving for neighboring states. However, higher Illinois tax rates may influence where some residents place their bets and could affect sportsbook profitability.
What Lies Ahead for Georgia?
Chairman Echols clarified that the recent proposal is among several recommendations aimed at guiding rather than dictating legislative priorities. The expectation among key stakeholders is that mobile sports betting will reemerge as a legislative focus during the next session, especially as discussions about funding for tourism and gaming regulations continue.
“The Senate has moved some legislation over to the House,” Fernandez said. “We’ll see if that’s taken up next year and where that issue lies.”
- Author
Daniel Williams
