ATLANTA (November 2025) — The Georgia House Study Committee on Gaming held its first meeting on July 29, 2025 in Watkinsville, opening what could be the state’s most consequential debate yet on legalized gambling.
The committee is now evaluating whether sports betting and casinos could provide a fresh stream of state revenue, with findings expected to determine if a constitutional amendment appears on the 2026 ballot. Lawmakers are inviting testimony from industry experts, economists, and public interest groups as the study continues into the fall.
But while the committee digs into tax models and regulatory frameworks, Georgia sports fans have one question: why are we still waiting? Each year of ongoing debate means the Peach State falls farther behind neighbors in both revenue and consumer protections.
Georgia Drops the Ball on Sports Betting
Georgia just fumbled the ball again. Lawmakers had a wide-open lane to put sports betting on the 2025 ballot, and instead, they punted. Now bettors in the Peach State will have to wait until at least 2026 for another shot. The ongoing delays frustrate not only fans but also business leaders and potential operators who see Georgia as a prime untapped market.
What makes the delay more frustrating is the level of public support. A University of Georgia poll shows 63% of voters are in favor of legalization. That’s not a nail-biter — it’s a blowout. Yet despite majority backing, lawmakers have left the state on the sidelines. Advocates argue that this is a rare political opportunity where public sentiment and fiscal needs clearly overlap.
Missed Opportunity for State Revenue
Meanwhile, the rest of the country is running up the score. Thirty-nine states have already gone all-in on legal sports betting. Only nine remain on the sidelines, and two of those — Texas and California — are political heavyweights where entrenched debates continue to stall progress.
In Georgia, the cost of inaction is clear. Residents are betting anyway, just not with regulated in-state operators.
Offshore juggernauts like Bovada, based in Costa Rica, are dominating the market. According to BookMakersReview, Bovada boasts 177,000 active players and over 11 million website visits per month. Even more staggering, industry tracker NEXT/Blask reports Bovada handled $13 billion in wagers in 2024 — more than FanDuel and DraftKings combined. Georgia is losing out on millions in potential tax revenue that could fund schools, infrastructure, or other local priorities.
Offshore Sportsbooks Still Winning
Georgia isn’t alone in its offshore reliance. Even in states where sports betting is technically legal, offshore books continue to command major market share. Take Florida: Hard Rock Bet is the only regulated option, but reports suggest it controls just 20% of the market, with the other 80% going offshore.
This reality underscores a simple truth — sports betting is already happening in every state, legal or not. By refusing to regulate it, Georgia is letting millions in tax dollars slip away while bettors flock to offshore platforms. Regulating the market would allow the state to implement consumer protections, tackle problem gambling, and ensure fair play for all involved.
Timing the Debate
The House Study Committee on Gaming is a step in the right direction, but the delay until a 2026 ballot means Georgia won’t realistically launch regulated sportsbooks until 2027 at the earliest. By then, the state will have ceded years of potential tax revenue while continuing to push bettors into unregulated markets. Neighboring states’ progress has created a real sense of urgency among some state leaders and advocacy groups.
Critics of legalization argue that expanding access encourages gambling, but research paints a different picture. Harvard researcher Howard Shaffer has shown that problem gambling rates barely tick upward, even as access to legal betting expands across the country. Supporters claim that legalized betting can actually help identify and assist problem gamblers, rather than driving them underground.
Fans Aren’t Waiting
With football season underway — one of the busiest betting frenzies of the year — Georgia’s sports fans are already in the game. Whether it’s wagering on the Bulldogs, Falcons, or Braves, residents are finding ways to place bets despite the state’s restrictions.
Offshore sportsbooks remain the default playbook, offering sharp odds, wide markets, and quick payouts. The demand is undeniable, and the current legal grey area only benefits outside operators.
Lawmakers, meanwhile, are stuck in the huddle. The only question is whether they’ll finally run a play in 2026 or stay content watching from the bench while tax dollars leak away. The coming year will be crucial for the direction of gaming policy in the South.
The Bottom Line
Georgia’s legalization saga has been a story of missed opportunities and mounting frustration. With 63% of voters already on board, public support isn’t the issue. Offshore operators are thriving, other states are cashing in, and fans are betting anyway.
The creation of the House Study Committee marks progress, but it also delays the inevitable. Unless lawmakers move decisively, Georgia will remain on the sidelines while the rest of the country runs up the score.
For now, the games are on, the bets are flying, and the Peach State is still waiting for its chance to play by its own rules.
