Thursday morning, the Georgia State Senate passed a bill that would allow sports betting in Georgia. Proceeds would be used to increase funding to the state’s Pre-K programs, according to Senate Bill 386. It passed 35-15. Before the bill passed, a constitutional amendment was added to the measure. Now the bill heads to the House for more debate. If the measure passes the house, it will get put to the voters in November. It was filed by state Senator Clint Dixon, a Republican from Buford. The bill will now head to the Georgia House for further debate.
Currently, thirty-eight states allow sports betting. Conversely, Georgia along with Alabama, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Utah prohibit sports betting.
According to the provisions outlined in the bill, it would have regulations and parameters to protect bettors. According to state Senator Dixon, it would also generate over $100 million in annual revenue based on estimates. Those proceeds would help fund the Hope Scholarship and the Zell Miller Scholarship.
Additionally, a bettor cannot place bets with their credit cards. Additionally, participants can place limits on how much they’re willing to wager on games.
The measure would create sixteen licenses. One license would be given to the Georgia Lottery. Eight licenses would be handed to the following professional sports teams in Georgia: the MLB’s Atlanta Braves, the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United. Other licenses would go to NASCAR’s Atlanta Motor Speedway, and golf’s Augusta National and PGA.
The Georgia Lottery would be in charge of distributing seven other licenses without ties to pro sports teams. Those licenses would require a $100,000 application fee and an annual license fee of $1 million.
“In passing SB 386, we’ve paved the way for responsible and regulated sports betting in Georgia,” said Dixon. “As our state evolves, it’s crucial to acknowledge the existing landscape with neighboring states already engaging in this activity. With millions in potential revenue, SB 386 ensures that these funds contribute to the growth of Georgia, supporting essential programs such as the HOPE scholarship and pre-kindergarten initiatives.
By implementing safeguards, like prohibiting credit card use for betting, plus providing tools for self-limitation, we prioritize responsible gambling. The bill’s bipartisan support exemplifies a united commitment to the well-being of our citizens and the prosperity of Georgia’s future. SB 386 is more than a legislative milestone; it’s an investment in education and our economy.”
In November 1992, Georgians voted to amend the Constitution and create a state lottery to fund the HOPE Scholarship and the nation’s first state funded universal Pre-K program. However, nearly 33 years later, the promise of fully-funded Pre-K has not materialized.
“What happened here was the Georgia General Assembly in the state senate got serious about education,” said Georgia State Senator Derek Mallow, a Democrat from Savannah. “We moved the bill out that would allow for sports betting in the state for the purposes of being a game of the lottery with those funds going to the Lottery Commission and the lottery’s creation was that and its dedication was to fund educational programs and four buckets.”
However, Mallow believes the state can fund Pre-K without funding from the sports betting bill.
The bill that advanced Thursday, would tax 20% of proceeds, after prizes are paid to gamblers.
Last year, a bill that would have legalized sports betting and horse racing failed. It was not lost on those opposing any form of gambling.
“And I really believe legalizing and extending moral vices has its greatest negative impact on our children,” said Mike Griffin, Public Affairs representative of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. “And I think last year the lottery raised 1.5 billion. We have millions and surplus in our state. So it’s not like we’re lacking money to fund education and to help our children already.”