Legalizing gambling in Georgia is now officially up for discussion.
The Georgia House Study Committee on Gaming met in Savannah to talk about the possibility of allowing legal gambling in the Peach State.
Currently, Georgia is one of the few states that hasn't legalized sports betting or other forms of gambling, such as online casinos.
This study committee was set up last year. Their job is to look at the pros and cons of legalizing different types of gambling, like betting on sports, horse racing, and opening casinos, both in-person and online.
Leading casino operators such as Wynn Resorts and Boyd Gaming are ready to take action if the state relaxes its restrictive gambling laws. Changing Georgia's gambling laws might help keep people from traveling to nearby states to try their luck and even hit it big.
What is the Georgia Gambling Discussion Centered Around?
The committee wants to hear what people across Georgia think, so they're planning more public meetings. They hope to finish a report with suggestions for new laws by December.
Here's what they talked about:
- Some committee members, like Rep. Marcus Wiedower (the committee chair), think it's better to have rules around gambling instead of just allowing more of it. They know that gambling is already happening secretly in Georgia.
- Not everyone is excited about legalizing gambling. Some socially conservative groups and lawmakers are worried it could lead to more crime and addiction.
- Supporters think legal gambling could help the economy by creating jobs, like those at casino resorts, and by providing tax money for things like education and healthcare.
- Any decision to legalize gambling would probably need a vote from everyone in Georgia. This means people in Georgia would vote on it, not just the lawmakers. This process might push changes to 2026 or later.
- Committee members believe it's up to the people of Georgia to decide on legal gambling through a public vote (referendum), not just the legislature.
The discussions are far from over. The committee will continue to work on it.
Their goal is to come up with recommendations for Georgia lawmakers to consider. However, they think voters will likely make the final decision through a public vote.
How Soon Could Gambling in Georgia Be Legalized?
The likely timeline for legalizing gambling, including sports betting and casino gaming, in Georgia is centered around the following key points:
The Georgia House Study Committee on Gaming is expected to make recommendations by December 1, 2025, after which legislative efforts may advance.
Legalizing sports betting in Georgia requires a constitutional amendment, which means it must be approved by voters in a statewide referendum, likely on the November 2026 ballot at the earliest.
If the constitutional amendment is approved by voters in 2026, sportsbooks and other gambling operations could potentially launch in 2027 or later.
Past legislative efforts have faltered, and no approval has yet been made by the legislature to put gambling questions directly to voters, but interest and support have grown, including from professional sports franchises and some lawmakers.
There have been proposals for multiple casinos in the state, and gambling legalization efforts are expected to continue in the 2026 legislative session, with the referendum approach seen as the clearest path forward.
In short, the soonest legalized gambling could take effect in Georgia is likely 2027, following a voter referendum in November 2026 and subsequent regulatory implementation. The process is still in study and legislative development phases through late 2025 and 2026.
Play Sweepstakes Casino Games Online in Georgia
While the committee is figuring out whether to make gambling legal in Georgia by gathering public opinions and looking at potential benefits and issues, you can already play online sweepstakes casino games.
These games are legal in Georgia and follow different rules from regular gambling. They let people enjoy casino-like fun and have a chance to win prizes.
Sweepstakes casino games follow specific rules in Georgia.
Regular online casinos and gambling online for real money are still not allowed, but sweepstakes casinos are legal because they use contest laws. These games have two types of coins: "Gold Coins" for fun and "Sweeps Coins" that you can redeem for real prizes.
You can get these coins for free, without buying anything, so they're considered sweepstakes, not gambling, according to Georgia law.
