Georgia lawmakers revive sports betting push with new bill ahead of 2026 session
Georgia lawmakers have renewed efforts to legalize sports betting ahead of the 2026 legislative session, reintroducing a proposal built around integrity fees, regulatory structure and revenue sharing with the state.
Lawmakers in Georgia are reigniting efforts to legalize sports betting after several years of stalled proposals and competing policy visions. Rep. Matt Hatchett introduced House Bill 910 in April 2025. HB 910 has now carried into 2026.
A new bill has been filed for the 2026 legislative session that would establish a regulatory framework, fees and oversight mechanisms for legal wagering in the state, a major shift in long-standing debate.
The renewed push comes as both political leadership and industry advocates signal broader willingness to revisit gaming expansion, with supporters framing legal sports wagering as a way to capture out-of-state revenue, strengthen consumer protections, and support state priorities.
What the Proposed Bill Would Do
The newly introduced proposal, anticipated to be debated early in the 2026 session, would create a legal framework for regulated sports betting in Georgia by:
- Establishing a licensing structure for online and retail sportsbooks
- Creating a regulatory body or administrative division to oversee wagering policy and enforcement
- Assessing integrity fees and regulatory assessments on handle or gross gaming revenue
- Providing a revenue-sharing formula for the state’s general fund and designated programs
Unlike some earlier proposals that were narrowly framed or stalled in committee, the current push appears broader in scope and aligned with stakeholder feedback from prior years.
Proponents emphasize that a regulated market would protect consumers, impose responsible-gaming rules, and generate new tax revenue, potentially in the hundreds of millions annually.
Political Context and Support
Support for revisiting sports betting is bipartisan, with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle expressing openness to a negotiated framework. Part of the renewed momentum stems from seeing how neighboring states like Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina have shaped gaming policy, leaving Georgia as one of the few large Southeastern states without a legal sports betting market.
Industry partners and advocacy groups have indicated they want Georgia to adopt a model that balances consumer protection with market competitiveness, particularly concerned that Georgia residents continue to wager in unregulated offshore markets or travel across state lines to legally place bets.
The measure also aims to include provisions for integrity fees to support educational programs, problem-gambling resources, and possibly state-sanctioned integrity monitoring systems tied to collegiate and professional competition.
Opposition and Legislative Hurdles
Despite growing momentum, legalizing sports betting in Georgia faces significant political and policy challenges. Previous efforts stalled in part due to concerns over gambling expansion, addiction risks and questions about tribal compacts or revenue distribution.
Some lawmakers and advocacy groups argue that without strong protections and clear revenue usage plans, sports betting could have negative social consequences. Opponents have previously pointed to issues such as gambling addiction, impacts on youth and the challenge of ensuring parity between large operators and smaller local enterprises.
Additionally, differences remain within the legislative leadership over which model, statewide online wagering versus retail-only, or a hybrid approach, should be adopted.
What Comes Next
With the 2026 session underway, committees in the Georgia House and Senate will begin reviewing the latest sports betting bill, holding hearings, gathering industry testimony, and hearing from advocates on both sides.
If the bill gains traction, it could proceed through committee votes and onto floor debates as early as February 2026. Lawmakers have suggested advancing a bill early in the session to allow ample time for negotiations and amendments.
Supporters say the lessons learned from other state markets, particularly how revenue projections compare to actual outcomes, can help Georgia craft a competitive, well-regulated program.
Conclusion: A Renewed Chapter in Georgia Gaming Policy
Georgia’s revived sports betting effort represents a notable shift from previous legislative sessions, reflecting evolving public sentiment and regional gaming trends.
With a structured bill now reintroduced for 2026, policymakers face a significant decision: whether to finally legalize and regulate sports wagering within the state, and if so, how to balance economic opportunity with consumer protections.
Whether Georgia joins the growing list of states with legal sports betting will be one of the major gaming policy stories of the year, reshaping the wagering landscape across the Southeast.
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