Georgia state Rep. Marcus Wiedower (R-Watkinsville) proposed new sports activities wagering laws that gives for on-line and in-person betting within the state.
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett holds the nationwide title trophy in January. A brand new sports activities betting invoice was launched within the state. (Picture: Getty Photos)
Wiedower’s Home Invoice 380 (HB 380) is the primary floated in Georgia that gives for retail wagering, as earlier efforts to deliver regulated sports activities betting to the state targeted solely on web and cellular betting. His laws, launched earlier this month, garnered rapid assist from the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
This laws would legalize accountable sports activities betting in Georgia and generate extra income for schooling below the Georgia Lottery,” mentioned Marshall Visitor, the chamber’s senior vice chairman of public coverage and public affairs, to native media retailers. “We look ahead to working with Governor Brian Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Home Speaker Jon Burns, and the Georgia Basic Meeting to safe this enormous win for schooling funding in our state.”
Current polling information point out Georgia voters favor the addition of cellular sports activities betting. At present, the state’s solely type of regulated wagering is a lottery.
Necessary Particulars in Wiedower Georgia Sports activities Betting Invoice
Below HB 380, 16 Sort 1 sports activities betting permits could be awarded to on-line operators whereas offering for Sort 2 licenses issued to companies providing in-person betting. The laws additionally duties the Georgia Lottery with overseeing sports activities wagering within the state.
“Sort 2 sports activities betting platform licensee’ means a sports activities betting platform operator licensed or approved by the company to supply retail sports activities betting on behalf of the company at a Sort 2 sports activities betting retail licensee’s place of job by way of Sort 2 sports activities betting machines owned by a Sort 2 sports activities betting distributor licensee,” in accordance with the invoice.
Assuming HB 380 is signed into regulation, it could permit for seven permits to be awarded to conventional on-line sports activities betting operators whereas the opposite licenses might go to Georgia’s skilled sports activities groups and venues comparable to Atlanta Motor Speedway and Augusta Nationwide Nation Membership — house of the distinguished Masters golf match.
Events concerned about pursuing Georgia sports activities betting permits could be topic to an software payment of $100K, an annual levy of $1 million, and a 15% tax fee.
Momentum Constructing for Georgia Sports activities Betting
As is the case in another states which have lengthy opposed gaming growth, the political tides look like handing over favor of sports activities betting in Georgia. That’s coming from elected Republicans within the state softening their views on sports activities wagering, not Democrats wresting management of the legislature or the governor’s workplace.
Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA), who beforehand opposed sports activities wagering, is now open to working with lawmakers on associated laws. Likewise, new Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones sponsored a sports activities betting invoice when he was a state senator.
The caveat some Georgia elected Republicans are emphasizing is that whereas they’re keen to work on a sports activities betting package deal, they don’t favor the addition of on line casino gaming or horse racing within the state.
