No One Believes In Georgia Sports Betting Bill

Just about every state is brimming with optimism this time of the year. It’s because there’s a new legislative session and with it, the chance of passing new laws.

In Georgia, that means yet another “discussion” about legalizing sports betting, we put the word discussion in quotation marks because it’s just that — lip service. The state has brought up the issue and drafted bills for half a decade now, and never made any real progress.

That’s why just about no one believes 2026 will be any different. Not lawmakers. Not us. And not actual Georgia bettors, who’ve latched onto other options instead of sports betting apps by now. Keep reading and we’ll tell you the state of Georgia sports betting, or lack thereof.

Details On Latest Sports Betting “Proposal”

Rep. Matt Hatchett is back at it again with the betting Hail Mary. Earlier this year, he rolled out HB 910. It’s basically the same framework he’s pitched in prior sessions — and just like last year, it centers around the Georgia Lottery overseeing the whole operation.

For what it’s worth, last year’s version never made it out of committee. This time around, it’s been sent to the Higher Education Committee to see if it can gain any traction. The legislative session ends late March so there’s still time, we suppose.

Here’s what Hatchett is proposing: up to 18 online sportsbooks would be allowed to offer betting in the state. Operators would have to pony up $1.5 million per year for a license, and the state would take a 25 percent cut of sports betting revenue. That’s on the lower range compared to other states.

The Lottery itself would also hold a license and run a public process to hand out at least seven of those sportsbook spots. The other licenses would go straight to local pro sports teams — the Braves, Dream, Falcons, Hawks, and so on. Golf is a big deal in the state so Augusta National Golf Course and the PGA Tour would also get a license.

Why Newest Bill Has A Slim Chance

Want to know why we’re so negative on the bill? The bill has a fatal flaw.

Hatchett’s bill does not require a constitutional amendment. That’s long been the sticking point for the issue. Some lawmakers insist voters have to sign off before sports betting can be legalized. Others argue the Lottery can handle it under existing law. So we’ve had bills drafted both ways — some calling for a referendum, others trying to sidestep it entirely. None have crossed the finish line.

Optimism just isn’t there right now, and we’re not talking just about ours. Execs from the top bookmakers aren’t speaking glowingly about it either. Then at the end of 2025, a House Study Committee on Gaming turned in a nine-page report… with zero recommendations.

To make matters worse, one of the loudest voices pushing sports betting forward, Rep. Marcus Wiedower, resigned in October 2025. He chaired that gaming committee and had been one of the most consistent advocates for getting something passed. With him gone, the already shaky path to legalization looks even worse this session.

Do Georgia Bettors Even Care?

At this point, bettors in Georgia have moved on. If politicians can’t figure this out after five or six years, we don’t blame them. Plus, there are sneaky good ways to get action anyway. Here are three of em in case you haven’t figured it out yet.

Offshore sportsbooks

Offshore bookies have long been the fallback option for Georgia bettors — this is before PAPSA was removed in 2018. Sites like Bovada, BetOnline, and BetUS are still going strong too. Since these operators are outside the United States, they can skirt around local Georgia law.

But more than bending the rules, the sites are just flat-out good. Any bet you have on something like FanDuel is also available offshore, plus more. These offshore sites also offer massive sign-up bonuses to new players, often higher than traditional names like DraftKings. This dynamic makes them excellent options for Georgia folks looking to get action.

Prediction markets

In the past six months, prediction markets have gone mainstream. Stalwarts like Polymarket and Kalshi have stolen the thunder from traditional sports betting apps, which forced those same apps to release prediction products.

That’s right, the likes of DraftsKings, Fanatics, and FanDuel all have prediction market platforms, released in the past three months. And all three offer it in Georgia, where it’s technically legal due to federal-level acceptance. As long as that holds (many states are suing for it not to be), prediction markets will continue to take away dollars in Georgia.

Cross state lines

And of course, there’s the simplest workaround of all: drive across the border. Georgia is neighbored by several states that do offer full mobile sports betting, including Tennessee and North Carolina. As soon as your car enters these states, its betting apps work just fine. It’s probably not worth doing this if you live far from the borders, but if you don’t? Could be worthwhile,

How ironic though, right? Georgia residents are fueling tax revenue in neighboring states while their own lawmakers debate the same bill every single year without a hint of progress.