Georgia House lawmakers on March 6 voted down a proposal that could have led to legal sports betting.

The vote against House Resolution 450 was 98 to 63. 

The resolution proposed an amendment to the state constitution to authorize the Georgia General Assembly to legalize sports betting. Georgia voters would have decided whether to amend the constitution to allow for sports betting.

Other 2026 Georgia sports betting legislation, House Bill 910 and House Bill 686, are still on the table but appear to be going nowhere ahead of early April’s legislative deadline.

For years, bills in Georgia have sought to place sports betting under the Georgia Lottery’s regulatory framework, allowing more than a dozen online betting apps.

Addiction Concerns

Gambling addiction is a key reason why Georgia lawmakers haven’t legalized sports betting. As of early 2026, 39 states have legalized some form of traditional sports gambling.

In 2025, Americans spent more than $16 billion on state-sanctioned sports gambling apps.

Despite lobbying from DraftKings, FanDuel, and other sports gambling companies, along with support for betting from Georgia’s professional sports teams, efforts have fallen short.

In Georgia, lawmakers are aware of the high rates of problem gambling among online bettors.

“In the first committee meeting I went into, they were stating that 25-30% will have gambling problems,” Republican Rep. Gary Richardson recently told Fox News 54. “That’s a lot of people. There are a lot of local, rural community folks who have concerns.”

During discussion of HR 450 on Friday, Republican Rep. Kasey Carpenter openly talked about his addiction to gambling, but he voted in favor of legalization.

Betting addiction statistics show that more than half of online sports bettors chase losses. Despite industry responsible gambling messages, nearly 40% have bet more than they felt comfortable losing.

A typical person with problem gambling affects six others, according to a study. Georgia lawmakers are concerned that Georgians might use betting to try to pay their bills.

Brief History of Georgia Sports Betting

Georgia policymakers have considered sports betting since 2019, when informal discussions began following a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling on sports gambling outside Nevada.

The first Georgia sports betting bill was introduced in March 2019. Since then, efforts have faltered.

The Falcons, Hawks, and Braves quickly supported plans to legalize. The first bill died in committee due to disagreement over whether a constitutional amendment was needed.

Progress for gambling proponents came years later. In 2024, SB 386 sought to put sports betting on the ballot as a constitutional amendment. The bill passed the Senate but died in the House.

In 2025 and 2026, the drive to legalize sports betting has stalled.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Georgia?

Sports betting remains illegal in Georgia as of 2026.

In Georgia, it is illegal both to operate a sportsbook and to place sports bets as a participant.

Under Georgia law, most forms of gambling are classified as misdemeanors. Participating as a bettor, whether online or in person, is a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of $1,000.

The legal consequences are greater for operating a sportsbook. Commercially running a sportsbook is considered a felony in Georgia, which is a more serious crime than placing a bet.

How Some Georgians are Betting

Georgians can access illegal offshore gambling websites, such as those in the Dutch island of Curaçao. These platforms don’t have Georgia’s stamp of approval.

Offshore sportsbooks can’t advertise on TV or radio, like Georgia-sanctioned books would be able to do.

Predatory sweepstakes casinos and sportsbooks are also accessible in Georgia.

Sports betting via Kalshi and Polymarket is also possible in the Peach State. Prediction markets also operate without Georgia’s approval. They have received a controversial federal CFTC certification.

Other prediction markets include DraftKings Predictions and FanDuel Predicts.

Sports Betting Near Georgia

Georgians can drive across the border to Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina to access state-sanctioned online gambling apps.

You don’t have to be a resident of those states to bet. Georgia residents can register, deposit, and gamble on sports betting apps once they cross into the state with legal betting.

Neighboring states have seen the social impact of sports betting. For example, North Carolina’s gambling helpline saw a significant spike in calls following the launch of online betting.

The crisis in North Carolina is not surprising. In one of the more eyebrow-raising examples of sports betting advertising, the Carolina Panthers promoted an over/under line on their own game.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) Apps in Georgia

There is a blind spot in Georgia law regarding daily fantasy sports gambling platforms.

DFS gambling through companies such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and PrizePicks is allowed in Georgia. These apps exploit a legal loophole. DFS is not explicitly legal, but it also isn’t banned.

The legal status of DFS apps might change if new laws are passed. For now, it’s accessible to residents and visitors aged 18 or older, depending on the operator’s terms.

Like traditional sports betting, DFS sports gambling can be addictive.

Georgia Gambling Hotline Number

Sports betting currently exists in Georgia through prediction markets, offshore casino websites, domestic and offshore sweepstakes platforms, and DFS gambling apps.

If you’re struggling with problem gambling in Georgia, call 1-800-715-4225.

The hotline is operated by the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL).

The problem gambling hotline is available 24/7, and it’s free and confidential. It also includes help for people dealing with other issues related to gambling addiction.

Additional resources include 1-800-GAMBLER, a nationwide hotline for gambling help.

Delta Air Lines & Georgia Sports Betting

Delta Air Lines is based in Atlanta. The firm’s headquarters and primary operational base are located in the city.

Delta and DraftKings have a partnership, with in-flight gambling being explored as of mid-2025.

In-flight sports gambling could be lucrative, so it’s possible that Delta could join Georgia sports leagues in pushing for the legalization of sports gambling.

Decades-old federal law prohibits in-flight gambling, but it’s possible that states will look to legalize in-flight gambling on flights to and from their respective jurisdictions.

The Georgia-based Moms Against Gambling group predicted that “swarms of gambling lobbyists at our Capitol will include Delta’s.”