Georgia Online Sports Betting: Legislators Resume Long-Shot Push For Legalization In 2026

By Bill Speros

Jan 12th, 2026 4:57 PM EST

The long-shot fight to legalize Georgia Online Sports Betting resumes as legislators return to Atlanta for their 2026 session this week.

Attempts to legalize sports betting and gambling in the Peach State have fallen short each year since 2021. Georgia ranks as the third-largest state in terms of population that does not have any form of legal sports betting, behind California and Texas.

The 2026 legislative session begins on Tuesday.

The argument for and against sports betting in Georgia falls along traditional lines. Proponents cite the increase in tax revenue it would provide, in addition to offering legal sports betting sites to those who are currently betting through either a retail bookmaker, or via an offshore/illegal site.

This year, for the first time, sports event contracts via multiple prediction markets can be traded legally in Georgia. Platforms such as Kalshi, DraftKings Predictions, Fanatics Market, and Polymarket (on a limited basis) can be accessed and used by anyone in Georgia over 18. Sweepstakes sites such as Novig and ProphetX also offer sports event trades through so-called "Gold Coins" that can be converted to cash.

Sports event contracts often make up as much 90% of the volume on Kalshi. And no state - including Georgia - collects any tax revenue from operators.

Opponents Cite Public Health, Safety, Religious Concerns

The opposition to online sports betting in Georgia comes from both sides of the aisle. Conservative legislators from the rural part of the state have voice their opposition to any legal wagers on religious grounds. Lawmakers from urban districts, meanwhile, have raised concerns about the socio-economic impact on lower-income communities.

Sports betting has become a partisan issue in Georgia in recent years. In 2023, sports betting came the closest to passage, but Democrats pulled their support because of anger over voter-integrity legislation. Republicans have failed generate enough support within their own party for passage.

Chances for passage in 2026 remain slim. Rep Marcus Wiedower had introduced a bill that would have allowed 16 sports betting skins with a 24% tax rate on net revenue. It was accompanied by a resolution for a constitutional amendment. But Wiedower retired last year. Last year, the sports betting push died in the House in March without a vote because passage in the Senate remained uncertain.

Sports betting enjoys the support of Gov. Brian Kemp, who is term limited after this year.

Georgia Requires Multiple Steps To Legalization

Gambling (outside the state lottery) remains illegal in Georgia. Previous attempts to legalize sports betting required complementary legislation to legalize gambling in the state. The state would have to create a structure to regulate both sports betting and retail casino wagering in the state.

Any bill creating the needed constitutional amendment to legalize gambling requires passage by a 2/3rd majority in both chambers of the legislature. But even then, it becomes law when signed by the governor. It faces a state-wide referendum in the November 2026 election. If passed by simple majority of voters, it becomes law on Jan. 1.

Given the 6-8 months of time required from legalization to launch in most states, the soonest one could expect a launch of online sports betting in the state would be late summer 2027.

Georgia Remains Hotbed For College, Pro Sports

The Braves (MLB), Falcons (NFL), Hawks (NBA), United (MLS) and Dream (WNBA) call Atlanta home. The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club sits atop the pantheon of golf. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the host venue for the SEC Championship Game, owns a spot in the Super Bowl rotation, and College Football Playoff rotation. Atlanta Motor Speedway is a regular stop on the NASCAR Cup Circuit. The Georgia Bulldogs, based in Athens, returned to the CFP again this year.

The state's pro sports teams have long been on the record for legalized sports betting.

FanDuel opened a tech campus in Atlanta in 2022. But its agreement with the state ends in 2027, and sources within the company have told Bookies.com that the company might consider pulling out of the state and taking more than 2,000 jobs elsewhere if sports betting is not legalized.

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