Georgia Sports Betting September 2023

Recently we have had some major developments in legalizing online gambling and sports betting in Georgia. People fascinated by sports betting are scarce because Georgia doesn't even have a land-based casino or any massive state-run lottery.

When will Sports Betting be Legal in Georgia? 

Sports Betting in Georgia recently faced some developments regarding its legality. Even though there is a bill currently present in the House, it would be fair to say that sports betting legislation doesn’t quite have a chance to pass in 2021, as it has encountered some severe political tug of war between the Democrats and the Republicans. As a result, the bill was withdrawn from the floor, giving a jolt to the hopes of sports betting lovers.

Takeaways from the HB 93 bill

Though Sen. Jones' bill failed to gather the necessary support and went down ultimately, it was still a landmark development towards legalizing sports betting.

• The bill proposed that legalizing sports betting could generate $60 million in annual revenue.

• The Georgia Lottery Corporation will regulate all sports betting.

• Six sportsbooks will be able to apply for a license.

• The State would charge each of these Sportsbooks $100,000 annually for license fees.

• The State would also charge a 20% tax on sports betting revenue.

• The revenue will go to the HOPE scholarship fund and pre-kindergarten programs.

• Retail Sportsbooks are outside the purview of the bill. For now, the focus is only on online Sportsbooks.

Political influence on the bill

The Democrats have withdrawn their support for the bill. Even though the Republicans have a 103-76 majority in the house, they cannot pass the bill as any constitutional amendment asks for at least ⅔ of the majority. And considering the current scenario, it's implausible that the bill reaches the two-thirds threshold required for the constitutional amendment.

What's next for Sports Betting Bill HB 93?

The sports betting bill will head to the 2022 ballots, where the citizens would decide the bill's fate. The account still needs support from both parties, and at the moment, it's not clear if both parties will reach a common baseline or not.

Are Online Sportsbooks Safe in Georgia?

Once the sports betting Law is in force, you'd see plenty of online sports betting sites coming your way with their promotional offers. But not all of them would be safe, and to protect you from the clutches of such sites, we have created a checklist you should ensure before signing up to any online sports betting sites.

24/7 Customer Support

Several sites tend to be biased against customers with low bet amounts, and they don't listen to their concerns promptly. Look for a place that provides fast and reliable support when you need it.

Prompt and Convenient Banking Options

The ultimate goal of anyone placing sports wagers is to win money. The sites that you use must be reliable and quick with their payouts because no one likes to wait 6-7 business days before getting their deserved winnings.

Flexible Betting Options

The website should provide bets on both local Georgia sports as well as international sports. In a perfect world, you would never run out of sports betting options.

Which Online Sportsbook is Best for me? 

Which sports are best for betting mostly depends upon an individual's preferences in sports. A site with a high pedigree is likely to pass through everyone's checklist.

Still, Georgia sports bettors need to be careful about the following things:

• Check for online reviews about the sites that you are considering.

• Make sure the sports you are interested in are on the list of the sites.

• Go through the terms and conditions to get a clear understanding of the way of operations of the website.

• Check if the site supports all types of bets. Like single bets, parlay bets, system bets, etc.

• Select a site that has a mobile app when you want to place bets on the go.

• How quickly are these sports betting sites going to process your payouts?

The waiting period when you have ordered a payout is hard to get past. Generally, these Georgia sports betting sites would process the payouts promptly. The average time a payout takes is up to five business days, depending on the type you choose.

Some of the most popular cashout options include Ewallets, bank transfers, eChecks, and PayPal.

If you have requested a payout through a check, it's going to take longer than five days because the online sportsbook will send a paper check to your home.

Top Sports Teams to bet on in Georgia

Though these teams hail from Georgia, these sites allow betting on their games to different parts of the country so that you can expect some severe level of competitiveness.

Sports betting is getting massive support from the top four professional sports teams in Georgia. The Atlanta Braves, Falcons, Hawks, and Atlanta United have all been very vocal in favor of legal sports betting.

• Atlanta Falcons (NFL)

• Atlanta Hawks (NBA)

• Atlanta United (Soccer)

• Columbus Lions (Arena Football)

• Atlanta Blaze (Lacrosse)

• Atlanta Braves (MLB)

• Atlanta Dream (WNBA)

• Georgia State Panthers (NCAA)

• Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (NCAA)

Daily Fantasy Sports in Georgia

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) are legal in the state, and there is no question of its prospects. Two of the biggest names in DFS are FanDuel and DraftKings, which reach almost all US states. The legal age for participating in daily fantasy sports is 18.

Legal Horse Racing in Georgia

Horse racing never succeeded in gaining enough support in Georgia, and it always succumbed to the strict anti-gambling laws prevailing in the state. Once betting on horse racing is legal, it is estimated that it could generate annual revenue of $1.2 million and tons of jobs.

Georgia Sports Betting FAQs 

Can you Bet on Sports from your Android and iOS devices? 

Yes, once sports betting becomes legal in Georgia, most of these sports betting sites will have an Android and iOS application, enabling you to place bets directly from your smartphone.

Will there be Online Casinos in Georgia?

That's highly unlikely given the recent developments in the political stand on legal online casinos. Legal sports betting can be a much more likely outcome than casinos, given there are no brick-and-mortar casinos in the State.