The Georgia Senate has had a flurry of sports betting legislation coming its way.
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee unanimously passed a constitutional amendment that would allow voters to decide the fate of sports betting in Georgia this November.
Senate Resolution 579, sponsored by Senators Bill Cowsert and Brandon Beach, creates a gaming commission to regulate betting with oversight in the hands of the Georgia Lottery Corporation. The bill heads to the Senate Rules Committee.
“You can never go wrong letting the voters have a vote,” Beach told SBCAmericas.
Senate Bill 386 amends the existing Georgia Lottery for Education Act to include sports betting. The lottery regulates the operation. SB 386 sets a tax rate of 20 percent with revenue going to educational initiatives, including the HOPE scholarship.
SB 386, which allows up to 16 licenses, passed in the Senate by a 35-15 vote earlier in February. Sponsored by Senator Billy Hickman, it comes with a $100,000 application fee. It now heads to the House, which may not be as easy to please.
Another constitutional amendment rolled through the Senate with a 34-7 vote. Senate Bill 172 authorizes online and retail wagering, again through a constitutional amendment.
Also sponsored by Cowsert, it would develop the Georgia Gaming Corporation, which would regulate sports betting under the Georgia Sports Betting Commission.
