Georgia Online Sports Betting: Legislators Resume Push For Legalization Through State Lottery

Jan 14th, 2026 11:20 AM EST

The long-shot fight to legalize Georgia Online Sports Betting resumed this week with the return of a bill thats allows online sports betting apps and sites regulated by the state lottery. This would avoid the referendum process that would be required in establishing a new gambling and sports betting ecosystem.

The bill (HB 910) via Rep. Matt Hatchett, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, would allow up to 18 sports betting skins under the umbrella of the Georgia Lottery Corporation:

One each for GA's five professional sports teams (Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta United FC, and Atlanta Dream)
One for Augusta National Golf Course
One for the PGA Tour
One for Atlanta Motor Speedway
One for the Georgia Lottery Corporation
Two for entities approved by the National Steeplechase Association
Remaining seven awarded by the Georgia Lottery

Operators would be taxed at 25% of their adjusted gross incomes and betting would be restricted to those 21 and over.

The bill would amend Title 50, inserting the necessary language to allow the Georgia Lottery Corporation to oversee sports betting.

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.

Sports Betting Push Falls Along Traditional Lines

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.

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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 voiced 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 withdrew their support due to 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, 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. HB910 circumvents that process by doing this through the existing structure of the state lottery, and a simple majority to pass both houses of the legislature.

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 the 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. Sources within the company tell Bookies.com that the company might consider leaving the state and taking more than 2,000 jobs elsewhere if sports betting is not legalized.

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About the Author

Bill Speros

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Bill Speros is an award-winning journalist and editor whose career includes stops at USA Today Sports Network / Golfweek, Cox Media, ESPN, Orlando Sentinel and Denver Post.