A bill (House Bill 1329) to legalize and regulate daily fantasy sports apps in Georgia failed to move into the Senate this week. As a result, the legislative effort is likely dead in 2024.

 

The bill aimed to regulate DFS sites in the state and create tax revenue that would have benefited the state’s education system. The bill taxed operators at 20% of adjusted gross fantasy receipts. Smaller and larger DFS operators would’ve been permitted to join the state’s market.

 

Theoretically, language to legalize daily fantasy sports could still make its way into the sports betting bill (Senate Bill 386) that made its way through the Senate and into the House earlier this legislative session. The likelihood of that bill and its accompanying resolution (SR 579) passing through the House is unclear – and it would need voter approval in November to become law.

 

Casino bill also stalls

 

A Senate Resolution (SR 538) also failed to advance out of its legislative chamber by crossover day. The effort to bring casinos to Georgia will almost certainly have to wait until 2025 and beyond.

 

The resolution aimed to legalize not only sports betting in Georgia, but also casino gambling. Bill sponsor, Senator Carden Summers, cited economic benefits as a key reason why the state should consider legalizing casino gambling.

 

"The economic impact of sports betting probably is not going to be that great, guys,” Summers said during a Senate committee hearing last month. "Maybe $80 million, $100 million. The economic impact of casinos will be in the billions.”

 

The bill would’ve allowed for five brick-and-mortar casino licenses, in addition to the introduction of sports betting.