Is sports betting legal in Georgia?
No. Sports betting is prohibited in Georgia and the future is unclear for legalization.
A bill was introduced early 2020 which would allow online sports betting and not require a constitutional amendment. While voters and executives from the top sport teams are in favor of sports betting, it'd be a surprise if this bill made it through given how strict Georgia is in terms of gambling with no racetrack or land-based casino in the state.
The 2020 bill is framed similarly to that of Tennessee, but Georgia's Senate wasn't in favor of the tax rate, which is why it may take some time for anything to happen. The Coronavirus pandemic only adds to the timeline, which means sports betting is unlikely to be legalized until 2021 in Georgia.
The lone betting options for residents are fantasy sports and skill games, as online poker, internet casinos and horse racing betting are all prohibited. Daily Fantasy Sports are not technically legal, but online entities continue to operate in Georgia.
The state attempted to pass legislation back in 2017, but it failed to get through the Senate and nothing has changed since. Fantasy sports are considered a game of skill and in turn, not prohibited. The majority of fantasy sites adhere to the regulations that were in the 2017 bill, though the state continues to miss out on possible tax revenue.