Posted on: October 26, 2023, 05:28h.
Last updated on: October 26, 2023, 05:28h.
This year has brought some exciting developments in the sports betting legislative landscape, particularly with Kentucky and North Carolina legalizing mobile sports wagering. However, the outlook for next year seems less promising.
As we approach 2024, it seems that Georgia has the highest chances among mid-sized to large states to join the mobile sports betting market. This is due to several reasons. Most tribal operators in California are against the idea of including sports betting in the 2024 ballot. The Texas legislature won’t be in session until January 2025, and the fate of mobile sports betting in Florida is in the hands of the courts. Therefore, Georgia emerges as the most promising prospect.
(Georgia) lawmakers and stakeholders remain engaged despite bills having failed in five consecutive sessions,” noted Eilers & Krejeck Gaming (EKG). “We are hearing that there will again be an effort to add casino gambling and parimutuel betting to a sports betting ballot measure bill.”
With 3.2% of the US adult population residing in Georgia, the state presents an attractive market for sportsbook operators.
Georgia’s Potential Sports Betting Landscape
If Georgia legislators decide to merge casinos, horse racing, and sports betting into a single bill, the chances of passing sports wagering may be jeopardized.
However, according to EKG, a standalone sports betting bill, especially one that designates the Lottery as the regulator, stands a much better chance of gaining approval.
A recent polling data indicates bipartisan support for casino gaming in Georgia, with voters wanting a say in the matter. The level of support for sports wagering in the state varies in different polls, but it is clear that voters want to make the decision.
Former Georgia Chief Justice Harold Melton has stated that a constitutional amendment is not necessary for sports betting legalization, potentially facilitating an easier passage. This is positive news because amending state constitutions, like Georgia’s, can be a lengthy and cumbersome process.
In the 2022 midterm election, Georgia Democrat gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams tried to leverage sports wagering to generate funding for the HOPE scholarship program. However, Republican incumbent Brian Kemp prevailed. If gaming expansion legislation takes center stage when the new session begins on Jan. 8, standalone bills may be crucial to secure approval.
“Large, comprehensive proposals often face substantial opposition from anti-gambling groups and are prone to collapsing due to disagreements among stakeholders,” concludes EKG.
Other States to Watch in 2024
Considering the aforementioned situations in California, Florida, and Texas, along with the unlikelihood of Hawaii, Idaho, and Utah legalizing sports betting, it becomes clear that Georgia is the focal point of the 2024 sports betting legislative landscape.
The only other potentially surprising states are Minnesota and Missouri. Sports betting legislation has consistently faced hurdles in these states for various reasons.
Oklahoma is another possibility, but neighboring states Alabama and South Carolina are unlikely to follow suit.