A bill to legalize Georgia sports betting, SB 386, was filed Wednesday, and the legislative effort has the potential to gain widespread support.'
Unlike SB 172, which was filed earlier this season, SB 386 wouldn't require a constitutional amendment to legalize sports wagering in the state. Instead, the bill would make sports betting a lottery game. The debate over the need for a constitutional amendment led to bills failing to pass in 2023, but SB 386 does have key legislative support.'
The bill was co-sponsored by several key legislators, including Sen. Gloria Butler, who is the Senate's Minority Leader. Atlanta Braves President and CEO Derek Schiller told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he supports the bill.'
Having outspoken support from key legislators and professional sports franchises could prove beneficial for SB 386's chances of becoming law. The bill still has a long way to go before becoming law, as it hasn’t been discussed in legislative committees or on the Senate floor yet.'