Georgia lawmakers rejected SB 57, a mobile sports betting bill. This measure would have regulated mobile betting in the Peach State without the need for a constitutional amendment. SB 57 did not make it to the main Senate floor, dying in the Rules Committee. Senators voted 37-19 against this measure.
SB 57 would have made up to 18 online betting licenses available. Local businesses with liquor licenses would have been eligible to host retail betting kiosks. Despite this bill’s failures, there are other measures that could regulate betting in Georgia.
Rejected Bill Does Not Stop Sports Betting Fight In Georgia
There were several measures that saw advancement in Georgia chambers recently. While SB 57 was a promising measure, it was always going to be difficult to pass a bill that would regulate without a constitutional amendment.
Should SB 57 have passed, mobile betting in Georgia would have been able to launch while forgoing a state-wide vote. It would be tough to convince lawmakers in the Peach State to approve a bill of that level.
In the House, HB 380 is still live and would also lead to mobile betting launching without a constitutional amendment. This measure is still in the committee stage and will be discussed more.
Joint measures SB 172 and SR 140 are the measures with the most potential. These bills would see sports betting added to the 2024 ballot and voted on by residents. Both measures are also in the committee stage.
Next Step For Lawmakers
With this measure now dead, the full focus is put on the remaining sports betting bills. A positive is that those in favor can come together to see the remaining bills pass. This is necessary as there has been a lot of pushback in Georgia.
With such opposition, too many different bills vying to pass at one time could be a bad thing. A more consensus plan is needed and Georgia lawmakers have that with the remaining measures. Of course, the measures would need to pass in committee first.
Georgia lawmakers will continue to push for sports betting throughout the remainder of the 2023 legislative session. There is still hope for mobile betting in the Peach State.
