The Next Georgia Sports Betting Bill Could Be Decided By Voters
Sports fans in Georgia are still waiting for legal avenues to place bets on their favorite teams and players, but that could change very soon.
Georgia lawmakers are making another push to legalize sports betting in the Peach State in 2026. This time, supporters hope to pass a bill that would allow Georgia residents to vote on a constitutional amendment legalizing gambling.
Georgia Is Missing Out On Billions In Tax Revenue
Online betting would bring in billions in tax revenue and help benefit lottery-funded education, says Gwinnett Republican State Rep. Matt Reeves.
“We got the peach bowl here today with these two states who are benefiting for their kids’ education, whereas Georgia is not getting a dollar from it, even though millions of Georgians are placing bets,” Reeves said.
Georgia is home to five professional sports teams, including the Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Braves (MLB), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta United FC (MLS), and Atlanta Dream (WNBA). The state is also home to multiple Division I programs, including two Power Four schools: Georgia (SEC) and Georgia Tech (ACC).
“I enjoy making a lot of money off of it, so the fact that it doesn’t hurt is what I wouldn’t enjoy about it,” Indiana fan Andrew Hess said.
Georgia Sports Betting Still Faces An Uphill Battle
Many Georgia residents are waiting for the chance to test their knowledge and up the stakes when watching their favorite teams, but not everyone is on the same page.
In October 2025, a House committee heard arguments from both sides before voting against legalized sports gambling.
The Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Mack Parnell is one of the main opponents of legal sports betting in Georgia. He used the NBA’s most recent betting scandals as another reason why lawmakers should not pass a bill, reminding people that “the only way to win is not to play.”
Mike Chandler, an Oregon football fan, told WSB-TV Atlanta’s Richard Elliot that he tried betting on sports but stopped after losing his fair share of wagers.
“Yeah, I’ve done it. I lost my butt, so I don’t do it anymore,” Chandler said.
However, that hasn’t stopped Georgia residents and tourists from placing their bets out of state.
“I was in Vegas last weekend for New Year’s. So, all my bets were placed when I was there with my family on vacation,” Indiana grad student William Dixon told Channel 2.
For now, Georgia bettors are still driving across state lines or logging on elsewhere to get in the game. But if lawmakers succeed in sending a sports betting amendment to the ballot, the next big decision won’t be made at the Capitol.
Instead, it will be made at the ballot box with Georgia voters deciding whether the Peach State finally wants a piece of the action.
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