Playing in Georgia is restricted to its state-run lottery and charitable fundraising video games. However members of the Home Financial Improvement and Tourism Committee really feel it’s time to contemplate growth.
Longtime Georgia lawmaker Rep. Ron Stephens says the state is lengthy overdue to finish its prohibition on casinos and sports activities betting. However the Republican faces an uphill battle in profitable over his Home and Senate colleagues. (Picture: USA TODAY)
The Home committee yesterday moved ahead Senate Decision 135 (SR135) and Senate Invoice 142 (SB142). The decision is the extra essential of the 2, because it proposes an modification to the Georgia Structure to permit “sports activities betting and different types of betting and playing.”
The decision lastly gained consideration within the Home committee a yr after the Senate handed SR135. Nevertheless, the SR135 model the Senate beneficial sought to legalize sports activities betting solely.
SB142, which seeks to create the Georgia Sports activities Betting Fee to control sports activities wagering, means little until the decision passes. And people odds seem lengthy, because the Georgia Common Meeting is ready to adjourn its 2022 session subsequent Monday, April 4.
Time Ticking
For a proposed constitutional modification to succeed in voters, a decision should first obtain two-thirds majority assist in each the George Home and Senate. With solely 4 session days remaining, it’s unlikely that SR135 will shortly acquire such assist in a state that has been perpetually at odds with business gaming.
State Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah) chairs the Home Financial Improvement and Tourism Committee. A stern proponent of permitting Georgians to determine whether or not to affix the greater than two-dozen different states which have legalized sports activities betting, Stephens is answerable for this week’s consideration of SR135 and SB142.
Previous to his committee voting on the measures, Stephens instructed members that sports activities betting is already occurring in Georgia by unlawful offshore web sites.
“All you’re doing is taxing and regulating,” Stephens stated. “And that’s as a result of they’re already doing sports activities betting.”
Stephens’ “they’re” is in reference to Georgians who’re at the moment betting by unregulated channels. It’s estimated that as a lot as $1.5 billion is wagered illegally on sports activities in Georgia every year.
“It’s in your cellphone. However the cash goes offshore to Antigua and different locations,” the Republican added. “You’re taxing and regulating, that’s all.”
Voter Energy
Although it seems unlikely that Georgians can be requested to legalize sports activities betting — and presumably on line casino playing — throughout the November 2022 election, some residents may relaxation assured understanding that the decision would give voters a lot energy over-regulated playing.
Senate Decision 135 requires that casinos, horse racetracks, sportsbooks, and different gaming venues solely be thought of in counties the place voters have lent their blessing to such developments.
Georgia will surely entice a lot curiosity from the US gaming trade ought to it transfer to legalize casinos. Georgia is the eighth-most populated state, with greater than 10.8 million residents. Georgia’s sturdy median family earnings of round $82,000 additionally renders the potential alternative enticing.
The Georgia Lottery is among the richest within the US. The lottery facilitated greater than $5.7 billion in gross sales final yr alone. Over its 28 years in operation, the Georgia Lottery has benefited greater than two million college students searching for greater training with scholarships to the tune of $12.6 billion.
