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It finally looks like there’s some Georgia sports betting closure for fans out there, but it’s not the news that folks were hoping for. Earlier this year, it was announced that sports betting in the Peach State wouldn’t be arriving, but then a sports bill was brought back from the dead. This had people believing that maybe something would get done at the last minute. However, Georgia sports betting won’t arrive in 2023 despite recent hope.
That’s right, in a recent report, it was announced that things in Georgia are indeed dead right now and there will be no betting in 2023. This is awful news and an update that no one wanted to see. Just last month, there was so much promise that officials and lawmakers would be able to get on the same page to make something happen. Instead, no agreement was able to come to fruition.
With how big things are in Georgia in terms of sports popularity, it’s no secret that people have been calling for legal wagers to be allowed for a while now. However, with this latest setback, the feeling is that people all over Georgia may have to wait until 2025 for betting. While there’s still a chance for 2024 to bring good news, people aren’t feeling confident in this at all because of how things have gone down in recent months.
Georgia feels like it’s stuck in the same position as Florida and California. All three of these states not only have major sports cities, but they also have talented teams at the pro level who are always making a ton of noise. Because of this, it only makes sense that legal sports betting would be allowed. However, the opposite has been the case, which has been frustrating to see for so many folks.
Legal sports betting in 2023:
-Ohio: Launched Jan. 1.
-Massachusetts: Launched Jan. 31
(mobile launch March 10).
-Kentucky: Bill signed into law March 31. Launch TBD; gov. wants it for NFL.
-Georgia: Dead.
-North Carolina: House passed bill in March. Awaiting Senate action. pic.twitter.com/UwAJy5AlI1— Geoff Zochodne (@GeoffZochodne) May 2, 2023
Georgia is missing out on a huge revenue opportunity with no sports betting
It goes without saying, but Georgia is missing out on a huge revenue opportunity with no sports betting. With football in particular, people all over the place would love to check the NFL betting odds for the Atlanta Falcons. After a strong NFL Draft, people all over Atlanta, and surrounding cities, are ready to see what this team will be able to get done this upcoming campaign in the NFC South.
The Falcons have a great chance to not only win the division, but also make some noise in the postseason as well. If they do reach the playoffs, then people would surely be rushing to check the Super Bowl betting odds for them as well. Even if the Falcons aren’t in the mix for the Lombardi Trophy later this season, people are still going to have high interest in the Super Bowl from start to finish next campaign.
The Class of 2023 pic.twitter.com/0pX5Q8oi11
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 30, 2023
As things stand, the Kansas City Chiefs hold the No. 1 betting odds to win it all next season, which would result in them going back-to-back. However, there are plenty of other teams who will be in the mix of things, with the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals being on the list. With the Eagles, they also had a strong NFL Draft, which was highlighted by their landing Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith in the first round.
After winning the NFC last year and almost taking down the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, Jalen Hurts and Co. are hopeful that they’ll be able to get the job done in the winter of 2024. Regardless of if that happens or not, the betting attention is going to be quite high across the world. However, people in Georgia won’t be able to bet on any of the NFL action due to the current laws that are in place. That’s a bummer.
College football fans are furious with no betting later this year
Another thing to keep in mind here is that college football fans are furious with no betting later this year as well. In the past two seasons, Georgia has had amazing NCAAF betting odds to win the National Championship Game. Coach Kirby Smart has put together an amazing roster and program – one that Alabama fans are surely jealous of. After winning the natty in the winter of 2021, the Bulldogs repeated as champs last season as well.
Now, everyone in Georgia is hoping that UGA can make things a three-peat this season. With how fantastic the Bulldogs have looked in recent years, you already know that a lot of people in different states, where betting is legal, will be putting money down on the team this fall. That’s how good they are.
As soon as Week 1 of the new season gets here, Georgia is going to look to hit the ground running in terms of defending their title. It’s not going to be easy for them, but they surely have a great chance to win it all once again. While Georgia looks to make a splash, people in the state will be forced to watch from the sidelines in terms of betting on things.
