A Georgia Senate tourism committee has recommended legalising mobile sports betting, adding the proposal to its final report without public discussion during meetings. The Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism (SR 323) included the line, “The State of Georgia should legalise mobile sports betting,” in its year‑end report adopted on 21 November.
Georgia has debated legalisation of sports betting for several years. While the committee’s recommendation does not change the law, it adds momentum to a discussion expected in the 2026 session. A separate House committee is also reviewing gaming policy, and progress will depend on agreement among lawmakers on structure, taxation and constitutional requirements.
The tourism committee held five meetings focused on Georgia’s visitor economy, covering hospitality, conventions, events, entertainment and agritourism. Sports betting was not on the public agenda. The recommendation appeared late, without formal testimony or debate. Other states that have legalised sports betting have seen tourism grow, boosted by leading best sportsbetting sites driving revenue and tax gains.
Committee Chair Sen. Drew Echols said the betting language was added shortly before publication, describing it as a “simple recommendation” like others in the list, and not a guarantee of action. In SR 323, the line sits alongside recommendations on tourism taxes, convention centre upgrades, agency coordination, statewide tourism funding and anti‑human‑trafficking measures, indicating the committee’s intent to consider betting within a broader competitiveness strategy.
By placing betting alongside venue upgrades and marketing, the committee signals its view that sports betting could support events, hotel occupancy and tax revenue. Other states have taken a similar approach, linking betting to their visitor economy.
Georgia’s competitors have invested heavily in convention centres and destination marketing. The report calls for capital projects, changes to hotel‑motel taxes and stronger coordination between state and local agencies, with betting revenue considered as a possible funding source.
The recommendation is presented alongside fiscal measures, framing betting as part of a broader revenue and competitiveness strategy. The SR 323 report calls for changes to tourism taxes, including state and local hotel‑motel levies, and significant convention‑centre investments to match neighbouring states competing for major events.
At the committee’s final meeting, Nick Fernandez of the Metro Atlanta Chamber pointed to North Carolina’s model, where 30 percent of sports‑betting tax revenue is directed to a Major Events, Games and Attractions Fund under Session Law 2023‑42 (HB 347).
North Carolina has used the fund to support major events, including the 2026 MLS All‑Star Game in Charlotte. Georgia could consider allocating part of the betting tax revenue to a similar fund. However, it would need to address constitutional issues, opposition in the House and coordination between metro and rural stakeholders to establish a workable plan.
Georgia has debated sports betting for several years, but no proposal has passed. The tourism committee’s recent recommendation reframes legalisation as part of economic development. In 2025, lawmakers introduced HB 686, HR 450 and SR 131. These measures sought to establish online betting under the Georgia Lottery, set licensing limits of up to 16 operators, define tax rates and, in one case, expand to retail casinos. None advanced to a floor vote.
Debate often centres on whether a constitutional amendment is required or if the Lottery’s existing authority can extend to online sports wagering. This issue is expected to return in 2026.
Rep. Marcus Wiedower, a key supporter of betting legislation, resigned in October 2025. His departure is seen as slowing progress unless another lawmaker takes on the lead role. With Wiedower gone, Senate advocates and new House allies will need to agree on structure, tax design and ballot strategy. Committee leadership and caucus positions will be important indicators in the next session.
Georgia reported 174 million visitors and $45.2 billion in spending for 2024. However, destinations across the state argue that marketing budgets and venue investment remain behind competitors. The report calls for stronger support ahead of global events. With Atlanta hosting World Cup activities, Georgia will compete for training bases, fan festivals and sponsor activations. Dedicated event‑attraction funds, potentially supported by betting revenue, could play a role.
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