Chavdar Vasilev is a journalist covering the casino and sports betting market sectors for CasinoBeats. He joined CasinoBeats in May 2025 and reports on industry-shaping stories across the US and beyond, including legislative debates, market...
Read Full BioA Georgia Senate tourism committee is backing the legalization of mobile sports betting as it inserted a recommendation into its final report, a last-minute addition made without public discussion during the panel’s meetings. The unexpected addition injects fresh momentum into Georgia’s long-running effort to legalize sports betting, following multiple failed sessions.
The recommendation appears in the official Final Report of the Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism (SR 323), which was formally adopted on November 21.
Committee Chairman Sen. Drew Echols told The Center Square the language was added shortly before publication. “It was a simple recommendation, much like the rest of the list,” he said in an email, adding that it was “hard to say how many, if any of the recommendations will come to fruition.”
Surprise Addition to Tourism Agenda
The committee held five meetings. Discussions centered on challenges and opportunities across Georgia’s tourism, hospitality, convention, entertainment, and agritourism sectors. Sports betting was not part of the discussions.
But earlier testimony from Nick Fernandez, government affairs coordinator for the Metro Atlanta Chamber, may have opened the door. During the final meeting, Fernandez highlighted that North Carolina directs 30% of its sports betting revenue toward securing major events.
When asked by Sen. Emanuel Jones whether Georgia should examine the same strategy, Fernandez said it was worth considering.
“The Senate has moved some legislation over to the House,” Fernandez said. “We’ll see if that’s taken up next year and where that issue lies. We certainly see sports betting as a potential revenue source for major sporting events.”
As North Carolina posted another record month in November, the state will direct roughly $5 million toward major events from sports betting revenue.
What the Report Actually Recommends
The tourism committee’s official recommendations include broad reforms aimed at improving Georgia’s competitiveness as a visitor destination. Among them:
- “The State of Georgia should legalize mobile sports betting.”
- Reforming “tourism taxes.” This includes the state and local hotel-motel tax, shifting more of the tax burden to visitors.
- Significant investments in convention-center upgrades to remain competitive with neighboring states.
- Stronger coordination between state agencies and local governments on tourism development, permitting, and incentives.
- Increased statewide tourism funding to match levels seen in Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
- Expanded anti-human-trafficking measures ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While the sports-betting line is brief, its placement among fiscal recommendations suggests that it was framed as a tourism revenue strategy, aligning with the committee’s economic focus.
Broader Gambling Debate Already Underway
The Senate move comes as Georgia once again considers legalized betting. This year marked the seventh consecutive legislative session featuring a sports betting proposal.
The legislative efforts included House Bill 686, House Resolution 450, and Senate Resolution 131. They all aimed at legalizing online sports betting through a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot. However, none gained momentum and did not reach a floor vote.
In July, another off-session committee, the House Study Committee on Gaming, convened to examine the potential expansion of gaming. The committee met a total of four times and will deliver its report this month.
The supporters of legalizing sports betting received an unexpected boost in late September, when Donald Trump Jr. announced his support for changing the laws.
A Tourism Boom — but Funding Gaps Persist
The tourism report also highlights Georgia’s rapid growth in tourism. Gov. Brian Kemp announced in September that more than 174 million tourists visited the state in 2024, spending over $45.2 billion.
Still, committee members repeatedly heard that Georgia lags behind competitor states in tourism spending and marketing. Testimonies from statewide CVBs, entertainment leaders, convention center executives, and rural tourism officials echoed the theme.
The report argues that Georgia must significantly increase its investment if it wants to “elevate the state’s economy to a new level.” That’s especially necessary ahead of major international events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will bring global visitors through Atlanta
What Happens Next
The recommendation to legalize mobile sports betting does not bind lawmakers. Still, it places new political weight on a discussion already set to dominate the 2026 session.
With an upcoming House gaming report and a Senate tourism panel now endorsing betting as an economic tool, there could be fresh momentum for Georgia to finally legalize sports betting.
However, with Rep. Marcus Wiedower, who introduced two bills in 2025, resigning from office, the state may need a new legislative champion if sports betting is to make the 2026 ballot.
