Georgia Sen. Beach: State Stance On Sports Betting May Cost Millions

Georgia’s reluctance to legalize sports betting could dampen its ability to fully capitalize on upcoming sports events, forfeiting millions in tax revenue and potentially undermining its attractiveness as a host for future high-profile events. That’s the point state Sen. Brandon Beach drives home in an OpEd published this week in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

As Sen. Beach highlights, Georgia is poised to host some of the most significant sporting events over the next seven years. The list includes the College Football Playoff National Championship, FIFA World Cup matches, the Super Bowl, and an NCAA Final Four.

To support how popular legalized sports betting would be in Georgia, the senator emphasizes figures shared by GeoComply, a geolocation compliance company for many legal sportsbooks in the U.S. It reported a more than 100% year-over-year increase in Georgia-based attempts to access licensed betting platforms in other states.

These attempts were blocked, as legitimate operators refuse to violate state laws.

The implications of Georgia’s continued ban on sports betting go beyond economics. As Atlanta prepares to welcome millions of visitors for these marquee events starting in 2025, fans will expect access to the sports betting options that are commonplace in other states.

Without legislation to legalize and regulate betting, according to Sen. Beach, Georgia risks being perceived as unfriendly to the modern sports fan, potentially jeopardizing its ability to secure future major sporting events.

“Failing to legalize sports betting is not only costing Georgia millions in revenue but also pushing residents toward offshore betting platforms that lack safeguards for minors, offer no problem-gambling resources, and often fail to pay out winnings,” Sen. Beach argues.

A history of stalled efforts

Efforts to legalize sports betting in Georgia have gained varying degrees of traction since 2021, with several proposals introduced in the General Assembly. These measures aimed to regulate betting and allocate tax revenue to education, infrastructure, and healthcare programs.

However, partisan disagreements and concerns over the moral and social implications of gambling have consistently derailed these initiatives.

In 2021, a constitutional amendment to legalize sports betting narrowly failed to gain the necessary support. Subsequent efforts in 2022 and 2023 met similar fates despite growing public interest. Lawmakers who opposed the measures cited fears of increased addiction and a reluctance to expand gambling in a traditionally conservative state.

Public support for sports betting, however, has remained strong. In the May 2023 Republican primary, voters overwhelmingly backed the idea of a statewide referendum, with more than 81% agreeing that Georgians — not politicians — should decide the issue.

Nearly 40 states have already legalized some form of sports betting since the Supreme Court overturned the federal ban in 2018. Most recently, Missouri joined the group. Voters in the state narrowly approved a sports betting ballot measure this past November.

The stakes are high

Georgia’s hesitation on sports betting has economic and political implications. Many of the states that have embraced legalized sports betting, such as Tennessee and New Jersey, have seen significant revenue influxes.

Neighboring Tennessee collected more than $68 million in taxes from sports betting in 2022 alone. These funds have been reinvested in education and infrastructure projects.

Beyond the revenue potential, Sen. Beach highlights research showing that Latino males, a demographic critical to recent electoral shifts, are among the most active participants in sports betting.

For Sen. Beach, the choice is clear: His fellow legislators can adapt to evolving public demand and economic opportunities or face the consequences of being left behind.