Georgia Committee Passes Fantasy Sports Bill

Daily fantasy sports would be legalized and regulated in Georgia if House Bill 118 moves beyond the Senate Regulated Industries Committee, which unanimously approved it. The measure requires players to be at least 18 years old, bans college athletes from participating and taxes operators at 6 percent. DFS legislation has passed in 19 states.

The Georgia Senate Regulated Industries Committee recently voted unanimously to approve House Bill 118, which would legalize and regulate daily online fantasy sports. The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Trey Kelley, said the legislation will protect consumers and that DFS are games of skill requiring research and practice.

The legislation would require players to be at least 18 years old and ban college athletes from participating. Operators like FanDuel and DraftKings would pay a 6 percent tax.

Opponents included Concerned Women For America State Director Tanya Ditty. She said, “Where we’re concerned is just the impact that gambling has on individuals and on the family.” She stated gambling leads to higher instances of alcohol or drug use and mental illness.

Last year the bill died on the Senate floor on the last day of the legislative session. To date, 19 states have passed similar measures.

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