A brand new proposal for authorized Georgia sports activities betting seems to borrow a couple of concepts from not too long ago launched Ohio.
SB 57 is a bipartisan proposal with 10 sponsors that might authorize as much as 18 on-line GA sportsbooks, 9 of that are put aside for sports activities franchises within the state. Additionally licensed is proscribed in-person sports activities betting at eating places and bars with liquor licenses by means of kiosks.
The invoice was launched Tuesday however was not learn or assigned to a committee as of Wednesday. The invoice is much like SB 142 which failed in 2022.
Who would get GA sports activities betting license?
The invoice particularly designates 5 on-line betting licenses for skilled groups that play baseball, basketball, soccer and soccer:
Atlanta BravesAtlanta DreamAtlanta FalconsAtlanta FCAtlanta Hawks
The opposite 4 licenses put aside are for the PGA Tour, Augusta Nationwide, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Michelin Raceway.
These 9 entities have 60 days after the invoice’s efficient date of July 1 to precise their curiosity in an internet license. Failing to offer written discover would result in “everlasting disqualification and prohibition of such Kind 1 entity from acquiring a Kind 1 sports activities betting license.”
Remaining 9 Georgia licenses could be competitively bid
The Georgia Lottery Company could be answerable for the general public bidding course of for the remaining 9 licenses.
Whether or not licensed as a accomplice of one of many 9 designated licensees or by means of the lottery, candidates would pay a $100,000 utility charge and an annual license charge of $1 million. Trade suppliers pays a $10,000 utility charge and $100,000 annual charge.
Every on-line sports activities betting license is legitimate for 20 years. Operators would pay a 20% tax to supply sports activities betting, with no point out of whether or not promotional prices might be deducted. The proposal requires the usage of official league knowledge for sports activities with US-based governing our bodies.
Functions can’t be submitted till 4 months after the newly fashioned seven-person Georgia Gaming Company has all of its members and a CEO.
Kiosk sports activities betting restricted like Ohio
Identical to in Ohio, not all betting choices discovered on-line will probably be obtainable on the kiosks at liquor-licensed institutions. These kiosks can supply 5 wager varieties:
Mounted-oddsMoney lineOver/underParlaysSpread
Retail distributors and platform operators would pay $10,000 to use and $100,000 yearly. Retailers would pay $500 to use and $500 a yr. There will probably be between 5 to 10 distributors licensed.
Georgia sports activities betting background
Sports activities betting payments are nothing new in Georgia, as proposals did not cross the end line the final three years.
In 2020, a last-minute “Hail Mary” did not legalize on-line sports activities betting with a ten% tax charge. The trouble in 2021 was affected by politicking. Democratic supporters dropped their curiosity after Republicans threw help behind proposals to restrict voter rights.
Final yr, gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams mentioned she would help a referendum to let Georgia’s voters resolve on casinos and sports activities betting, however she was crushed by incumbent Brian Kemp.
In response to an Atlanta Journal-Structure ballot of 860 registered voters final month, 49% both strongly or considerably help legalizing sports activities betting in Georgia. That’s down from 57% help in 2020.
Opposition was 37% whereas had been 15% uncertain.