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As of 2025, sports betting is still illegal in Georgia. Even though lawmakers have made several efforts to legalize it, no bill has yet passed. The state continues to ban both online and in-person betting, leaving residents without any legal options to wager on sports.
Current Legal Situation
Under Georgia law, all forms of sports betting remain prohibited. After the latest failed push in 2024, residents still have no regulated platform for placing bets.
The only legal gambling activities in Georgia are the state lottery and charitable bingo. Popular options such as casinos, poker, horse racing, and sports betting are still banned.
A Long History of Failed Attempts
Georgia has been trying to bring legal sports betting for years, but every effort so far has fallen short:
- 2020–2021: Bills like S 403 and HB 86 were introduced but never moved forward. HB 86 proposed legal online betting but banned college sports wagers.
- 2022: Lawmakers discussed a statewide referendum, but it never reached voters.
- 2023: Three separate bills (SB 57, HB 380, SR 140) were filed but quickly died.
- 2024: SB 386 gained strong Senate support and came close to approval but failed in the House.
Each year, legalization seemed within reach, but political and public divisions kept stopping progress.
Why Georgia Keeps Falling Behind
There are three main reasons why Georgia has yet to legalize sports betting:
1. Constitutional Debate
Some lawmakers believe legal betting requires a constitutional amendment, while others argue it can be passed through regular legislation. This disagreement has created years of delay.
2. Tax Revenue Disputes
Sports betting could bring in $100-140 million in annual taxes. But lawmakers haven’t agreed on how to use that money. Proposals include funding education, teacher pay, and the HOPE scholarship program.
3. Public and Political Opposition
Religious and conservative groups have been vocal against gambling expansion. Many worry about addiction and family impact. In a 2022 survey, only 45% of Georgians supported legalization.
What Georgia Is Losing
Keeping sports betting illegal has cost the state in several ways:
- Lost Tax Revenue: Neighboring states like Tennessee (legal since 2020) and North Carolina (legal since 2024) are already collecting millions in taxes.
- Black Market Betting: Without legal options, many Georgians use offshore sites, which are unsafe and unregulated.
- Missed Jobs and Investment: Legalization could bring major brands like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM to Georgia, creating new jobs and boosting local business.
Legal Alternatives for Georgians
Even though sports betting isn’t legal, residents still have a few options:
- Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): Platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks, and Underdog Fantasy operate legally in Georgia’s gray area.
- Betting in Neighboring States: Those near the Tennessee or North Carolina borders can travel there to bet legally. However, geolocation limits stop them from using these apps inside Georgia.
- State Lottery: The Georgia Lottery, running since 1992, remains the main legal way to gamble.
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