Georgia Senate Committee adds late push for mobile sports betting

Georgia lawmakers are once again debating mobile sports betting, following a new recommendation included in the final report of the Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism.

The proposal was added shortly before the report’s publication and was not part of the committee’s public discussion during its last meeting, according to Chairman Drew Echols.

Tourism revenue and major event strategy

During earlier testimony, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce government affairs coordinator Nick Fernandez noted that other states tie mobile wagering revenue to tourism investments. North Carolina allocates 30% of its sports betting revenues to attract major events, an approach some Georgia stakeholders have argued could draw more visitors.

“We’ll see if that’s taken up next year and where that issue lies. We certainly see sports betting as a potential revenue source for major sporting events,” Fernandez told senators.

Echols added: “The recommendations are just that. Hard to say how many if any of the recommendations will come to fruition.”

The report also calls for changes to tourism-related tax collections and additional state investment to support visitor activity. Echols previously said lawmakers have not substantially discussed tourism strategy in recent years.

Ongoing legislative uncertainty

Georgia’s tourism industry recorded more than 174 million visitors and $45.2 billion in spending last year, according to Gov. Brian Kemp in September. However, broader gaming reforms continue to run into resistance from organizations opposed to gambling expansion.

Mike Griffin, public affairs representative for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, told lawmakers: “It’s intellectually dishonest to talk about the benefits of gambling without talking about the detriments.”

A separate House committee reviewing wagering policy has completed four meetings and is preparing its own report. Progress stalled in October when Rep. Marcus Wiedower, who had introduced two online betting bills, resigned. One proposal called for a 2026 statewide voter referendum on sports betting. Both measures excluded casinos, kiosks, and horse racing, envisioning a licensing system under the Georgia Lottery focused solely on mobile wagering.

Without Wiedower, remaining sponsors face continued debate over tax distribution and whether constitutional changes are required. Current law restricts additional gambling unless approved through constitutional revision or restructuring lottery operations.

Missouri offers regional comparison

Missouri’s recent sports betting launch has been analyzed by industry observers watching similar developments in Georgia. At rollout, the state recorded more than 216,000 active sportsbook accounts, reflecting pent-up demand and cross-border betting patterns from residents who previously traveled to Kansas and Illinois.

Missouri approved legal sports wagering in November 2024, projecting $28 million in annual tax revenue. Analysts expect that most bets will now remain in state rather than shifting into nearby jurisdictions. However, increasing tax rates in Illinois may encourage new out-of-state betting behavior and impact sportsbook margins.

Echols described the mobile betting recommendation as one of several items meant to guide legislators rather than set a policy direction. Stakeholders expect lawmakers to revisit the topic in the next session as discussions continue over tourism funding and gaming regulation.

“The Senate has moved some legislation over to the House,” Fernandez said. “We’ll see if that’s taken up next year and where that issue lies.”