summary
Introduced
04/02/2025
04/02/2025
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government, so as to authorize and provide for the regulation and taxation of sports betting in this state; to provide for additional powers and duties of the Georgia Lottery Corporation; to provide for the corporation to engage in certain activities related to sports betting; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to revise and provide for definitions; to provide for the corporation's powers and duties relative to sports betting; to provide for the procedures, limitations, requirements, and qualifications of the licensing of any person offering, operating, or managing sports betting in this state; to provide for rules and regulations promulgated by the corporation; to provide for a privilege tax; to require certain reports; to regulate wagers and provide requirements for bettors; to provide for bettors to restrict themselves from placing certain wagers; to provide certain resources for individuals with problem gambling or a betting or gambling disorder; to provide for the collection and disposition of fees and fines; to prohibit certain conduct by the corporation, employees of the corporation, licensees, and other persons; to provide for certain penalties; to provide for construction; to amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to gambling, so as to exclude any consideration paid to a sports betting licensee from the definition of "bet"; to provide for the exemption of persons licensed for online sports betting from regulations and restrictions regarding gambling information; to amend Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to revenue and taxation, so as to exempt wagers placed as part of sports betting; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a comprehensive legal framework for sports betting in Georgia, to be regulated by the Georgia Lottery Corporation. The legislation authorizes the creation of online sports betting platforms, allowing individuals 21 and older who are physically located in Georgia to place wagers on various sporting events, including professional, collegiate, and esports competitions. The bill creates a licensing system that will issue up to 18 Type 1 sports betting licenses to eligible entities, such as professional sports teams, certain sporting venues, and the Georgia Lottery Corporation itself. A 25% privilege tax will be levied on the adjusted gross income from sports betting, with proceeds directed to educational funding. The bill includes extensive provisions to ensure the integrity of sports betting, including strict regulations on who can place bets, prohibitions on using insider information, requirements for verifying bettor identities, and measures to address problem gambling. Licensees must implement robust security measures, such as geofencing to ensure bets are only placed within Georgia, and must provide resources for individuals struggling with gambling addiction. The legislation also amends existing laws related to gambling to accommodate the new sports betting system, exempting licensed sports betting activities from previous gambling restrictions and creating a comprehensive regulatory framework to oversee the new industry.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
House First Readers (on 04/04/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71993 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/238792 |
Loading...