Georgia sports betting legislation died on the legislative vine after several amendments and ultimately a difference of opinion as to where the revenue would be earmarked.
Not This Time
Representative Sam Park advanced an amendment to direct 70% of the revenue generated by Georgia sports betting to needs-based scholarships on Thursday. However, the House Higher Education Committee chose not to include Park’s amendment when it sent SB386 and constitutional amendment SR579 to the House Rules Committee.
Unfortunately for sports betting proponents, the bills did not make it out of the Rules Committee and were never heard on the House floor.
“I’m disappointed we didn’t get a floor vote,” House sponsor Rep. Marcus Wiedower said after the House adjourned. “This will be a measure that will be taken up again next year. I think we should bring online sports betting into the legal market, regulate it, and keep tax dollars here in Georgia.”
Money Disbursement
One of the biggest bones of contention had to do with where the projected $100 million in sports betting revenue would go. Representative Park wanted a sizeable portion of it to go to need-based scholarships.
In Park’s amendment, the revenue would be directed as follows:
- 35% to higher education for citizens whose household income is below the median household income for Georgians.
- 35% to higher education for students from rural Georgian counties with a population below the state average.
- 25% to voluntary Pre-K.
- 5% to address gaming addiction.
Park explained his amendment:
“It would help direct funds in a more clear and specific manner to I think some of the high needs of this state, both with respect to Pre-K as well as with higher education. So, I hope that as this issue proceeds, there would be an opportunity again for this issue to garner bipartisan support. As a bipartisan compromise will be needed on both the House and Senate floor.”
Representative Wiedower explained his position, “As far as bipartisanship goes, I don’t know how I can be more bipartisan in this right now. I have had an open-door policy. I have gone to bat for everybody on this committee. My door is still open and will be for the foreseeable future.
“When we start dividing the money, I mentioned it the other day. I mean, how many different places do you want to take it? How many pet projects do you want me to entertain? One thing we all seem to agree upon is education and making sure there is good education for our children, and that’s where I have tried to keep this money,” he added.
Other Proposals
Senator Bill Cowsert was also a proponent of sports betting in the Peach State but wanted 15% of the first $150 million in revenues generated to go towards a problem gambling fund.
Cowsert said, “My belief is people are gambling in Georgia are gambling already, on sports for sure. I bet you a lot of people in this room got something riding on the March Madness. And they’re gambling on lottery. And the lottery corporation is spending about $400,000 a year on it, and I don’t think that scratches the surface. This now gives them a fund and a funding mechanism to do some real intervention, prevention, and education meaningfully, and keep that money separate so that’s all it can be spent for.”
There is little doubt the topic of sports betting in Georgia will be proposed again next year and its proponents will have plenty of time to discuss where it went wrong and how to correct those mistakes in the next legislative session.
