Chris Boline
Just when it looked like more rough Georgia sports betting news was going to be on the way, there’s been a complete 180 this month and people once again have high hopes that perhaps things will be able to move forward soon. That’s because the update of a Georgia sports betting bill brought back to life thanks to the senate has arrived. This is something that people are going to be discussing for a while.
Seriously, this feels like a last-minute change and it’s one that people are quite happy about. According to a report, House Bill 237 was amended at a senate meeting last week, which has opened the door for things to potentially, finally, get legalized in the Peach State by early next year. This is something that countless folks are hoping for and there’s now a new level of optimism back on the table.
Originally, it looked like this specific bill, which would legalize online sports betting in the state, was going to die and not move forward. However, this shocking change indeed arrived and it’s now ready to take the next steps. Now, this bill will go back to the senate for approval. If things go through, then it will then reach the house for a big-time decision to come. This is something people will be following closely.
Year after year, we have seen bills be put on the table for Georgia sports betting, only to see them fail. We saw that happen recently, as multiple different bills were shot down before they could get to the advanced stages earlier in the year. However, this new bill that now includes online options has opened up the eyes of officials and lawmakers. Now, we must wait and see if things progress.
Four days ago a new Georgia sports betting bill came out of the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee.
Details include 16 online sports betting licenses, $1 million license fee, 22% sports betting tax rate on adjusted gross revenues. https://t.co/jN3cCYT1EJ
— RLinnehanXL (@RLinnehanXl) March 20, 2023
When could Georgia sports betting arrive now?
With this latest update arriving, it now has people wondering when could Georgia sports betting arrive now? While no set date has been thought of just yet, the expectation is that if things were to move forward with this specific bill, then things would be good to go by early 2024, with potentially early January being a target date. If things all go to plan, it would be historic for the state.
Indeed, this would be massive, as legal betting would be able to launch towards the end of the NFL regular season, and in time for the postseason. In Georgia, people would no doubt love to check the NFL betting odds, particularly for the Atlanta Falcons. The NFC South team is currently rebuilding, but there are high hopes for the future of this team. Despite 2022 being a rough year, the same isn’t expected for the future.
The Falcons are expected to load up with young talent in the 2023 NFL Draft, which is coming in late April. While Atlanta isn’t expected to have high Super Bowl betting odds next season, the future sure feels like it’s bright for this team. Tight end Kyle Pitts has people fired up over what he’s going to be able to get done next season and beyond. Pitts really is a generational talent and he has high expectations.
Not only are the Falcons a popular team, but people would also love to check the NCAAF betting odds for the Georgia Bulldogs as well. This team has won back-to-back National Championship Games. With an early January launch for next season, it would open the door for UGA fans to be able to bet on the natty too – if the Bulldogs end up going for a three-peat that is. People would love to be able to bet on that big game.
New week, new opportunity!#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/RyO4lqitFT
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) March 20, 2023
There are still people against Georgia sports betting launching
What has plenty of supporters of this bill worried, however, is that there are still plenty of people against Georgia sports betting launching. This isn’t a major surprise, as we’ve seen a large chunk of republicans from the southern states voice that they’re against things changing when it comes to legal betting options. This is frustrating to see on so many different levels and citizens are tired of seeing it.
Right now, well over 30 states have launched legal betting. Big states, with large sports markets, like Georgia, Florida, Texas and California still haven’t been able to get things across the line, which is unreal to think about. For Georgia, people love the Georgia Bulldogs, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Braves and more. People would love to check the NBA and MLB odds, plus the NFL and NCAA ones.
The Braves are among the favorites to win the National League this campaign, with Opening Day right around the corner for the NL East powerhouse. Baseball fans in the state want to be able to bet on the Braves. However, there are a lot of republicans who never want to see that happen. It will be interesting to see if things move forward in the senate and house or not. From our chair, this should be an easy decision, as Georgia sports betting is definitely needed.
