Georgia sports betting could become a reality in 2023 without needing the approval of state voters.

Eleven Georgia senators introduced bill SB 57 to legalize retail and online sports betting in the Peach State. If approved by the legislature, up to 18 online sports betting licenses would be activated, and businesses holding liquor licenses in the state would be eligible to host retail sports betting kiosks.

Unlike other Georgia sports betting bills introduced in the past? This bill would be Georgia Lottery-regulated and would not require an amendment to the state constitution.

Georgia sports betting in 2023?

If approved, the bill will allow up to 18 online sports betting licenses (Type 1 licenses), nine of which would be distributed to professional Georgia sports teams, PGA courses, and NASCAR tracks. The remaining nine online sports betting licenses will be awarded to applicants after undergoing an RFP process.

Details on the RFP process are scarce in the bill, as it simply reads “The board shall develop and adopt procedures for such public procurement process.”

Applicants awarded an online sports betting license will pay a nonrefundable application fee of $100,000 and an annual licensing fee of $1 million. Each Type 1 license holder will be able to contract with one online sports betting service provider, such as DraftKings or FanDuel, to run its online sports betting program.

The bill sets the online sports betting tax rate at 20% and will allow bets on collegiate sports. Additionally, it will also allow bets on eSports, Olympics, and “other events.”

If approved, a Georgia Sports Betting Commission will be created to oversee and regulate sports betting in the state. The commission will regulate sports betting “in a manner that provides continuing entertainment to the public, maximizes revenue, and ensures that sports betting is operated in this state with integrity and dignity and free of political influence.”

The Georgia Sports Betting Commission will issue sports betting licenses to qualified applicants after the RFP process is concluded.

Retail sports betting through kiosks

The bill would also allow for retail sports betting in the Peach State through sports betting kiosks at lottery establishments and businesses with liquor licenses. If awarded a retail sports betting license (Type 2 license), an establishment would be able to host a minimum of five or a maximum of 10 sports betting kiosks.

Establishments with a Type 2 license will pay a nonrefundable $10,000 application fee and an annual licensing fee of $100,000.

Each Type 2 sports betting distributor license also authorizes the entity to offer retail sports betting through a platform provided by one or more Type 2 sports betting platform licensees.

Legislative action only, no constitutional amendment necessary

Unlike other Georgia sports betting bills, SB 57 will not require an amendment to the Georgia constitution to legalize sports betting. This purely legislative direction will eliminate the need for  voters to approve an amendment during an upcoming general election.

Most pieces of Georgia sports betting legislation have attempted to legalize through a constitutional amendment. Georgia’s constitution prohibits most forms of gambling, including sports betting and casinos, so SB 57 could face legal challenges if its moves through the legislature.

In March of 2022, the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee approved legislation SB 142, a bill to legalize online and retail sports betting, and SR 135, a resolution to allow for the vote on a constitutional amendment in November to legalize sports betting, after the two bills were considered dead in the state.

The bills would have legalized retail and online sports betting in the Georgia. Eighteen online sports betting licenses would have been available, with licenses split between Georgia professional sports franchises and other entities. Professional sports franchises would have been able to offer both retail and online sports betting in the state.