Georgia lawmakers are preparing another attempt to legalise gambling in the state, with a new bill anticipated to focus on online sports betting, pending voter approval.
In October, a House committee heard testimony from both proponents and opponents of legalisation.
The measure’s proponents contend that regulating and taxing online sports betting could significantly increase funding for lottery-funded educational initiatives and that many Georgians already place bets through out-of-state or offshore platforms.
Arguments For and Against the Sports Betting Bill
Gwinnett County Republican State Rep. Matt Reeves said that online sports betting could generate a ton of revenue and help benefit lottery-funded education for the state.
“We got the peach bowl here today with these two states who are benefiting for their kids’ education, whereas Georgia is not getting a dollar from it, even though millions of Georgians are placing bets,” Reeves said.
Opposition remains strong from groups such as the Faith and Freedom Coalition. Its executive director in Georgia, Mack Parnell has been against sports betting, pointing to the recent NBA scandals for a reason to not pass the bill.
“This is yet another reminder that when it comes to predatory gambling, sports betting and the associated industries, the only way to win is not to play,” Parnell said.
Through a statewide constitutional amendment, which would be necessary to increase gambling in Georgia, proponents of the new bill hope to directly address the issue with voters.
Legislators acknowledged that similar proposals have failed in previous sessions and that the question, ‘Is this the year?’ comes up every year, but the answer has remained no thus far.
The post Georgia lawmakers prepare new push to legalise online sports betting appeared first on Esports Insider.
