Georgia sports betting bill finds favour with committee

The bill has gained the approval of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee.

US.- A bill that would legalise sports betting in Georgia has received a thumbs up from the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee, which voted 20-6 in its favour.

The bill will now head to the House Rules Committee, which will decide if and when it makes it to the full House for a floor vote. 

The Georgia Lottery Mobile Sports Wagering Integrity Act would amend Chapter 27 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia by adding a section on sports betting.

Georgia’s Lottery Corporation would regulate the sports betting market and would be responsible for the licensing process.

At least six licences would be issued and the state would collect 14 per cent of total revenues as tax.

State Representative Ron Stephens, head of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee, said the bill would help fund the state’s HOPE scholarship.

He said: “This is an opportunity for us to add a small amount of revenue — $40m— into the current mechanism that we use to fund the HOPE scholarship.”

On Tuesday, Stephens also filed House Resolution 30 which would allow Georgia citizens to vote on whether or not to legalise casinos in the state.