A proposed constitutional amendment (sports betting and brick-and-mortar casino gambling in Georgia ed through the state’s Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee late last week. The legislative effort would require approval from the General Assembly, the Governor, and Georgia voters to become law.
The proposal comes as a different bill, sportsbook app review.
SB 386, which ed through the Senate but hasn’t moved in the House, doesn’t legalize casino gambling in the Peach State.
SR 538, on the other hand, would create a widespread expansion of gambling in Georgia.
“The economic impact of sports betting probably is not going to be that great, guys,” Sen. Carden Summers said during last week’s committee hearing. “Maybe $80 million, $100 million. The economic impact of casinos will be in the billions.”
SR 538 details 2x1j33
The bill would allow for five casino licenses to be awarded, and those entities would be taxed at 13% of adjusted gross revenue. The bill lacks specifics about the number of online sports betting operators who could be licensed, and it’s unclear if the 13% tax rate for casinos would also apply to sports betting operators or if they’d face a different tax rate.
Tax revenue would benefit several sources, with 50% of all tax revenue going toward the Freight and Logistics Fund. The goal would be to help improve transportation in the state. Another 20% would benefit mental health and health care initiatives. Another 20% of tax revenue would go toward the state’s Child Care Fund.
Finally, the last 10% would benefit the state’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Will any bill ? 1v5145
Georgia’s legislative session ends on March 28, and Thursday marks the crossover deadline for bills in the state. There’s a time crunch on all sports betting and casino legislative efforts, and there doesn’t appear to be a consensus on the best way to increase gambling options in the state.
Some legislators believe it’s time to bring sports betting to Georgia, but they’re against casino gambling. Others believe it’s worthwhile to bring sports wagering and casino gambling to the state.
There are also several differing opinions on how to use potential tax revenue. Some legislators feel strongly that the revenue needs to benefit education measures in the state, while others have other areas they’d like to see the funds go toward.
There’s still a month left for legislators to reach a consensus, but with February winding down, there seems to be limited agreement among legislators on the best path forward.
“I’m sure if [SR 538] es this committee, and if it es rules, and if it makes it to the floor, I’m sure the House will have something to say about it,” Summers said.
