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Georgians could vote on whether to allow up to eight retail casinos in their state if a new constitutional amendment proposal clears the legislature. The resolution would also allow those licensees to offer sports wagering.
The language of the amendment bans all forms of online gambling, however, which could affect support for the proposal in divergent ways. That restriction on online gambling makes this latest attempt to legalize casino gaming in Georgia different from previous bills the state’s legislature has considered over the years.
SR 131 puts gaming question to Georgia voters
On Feb. 5, four members of the Georgia Senate introduced SR 131, which aims to amend the state’s constitution. The proposal would, with voter ratification, create a gaming regulatory body that would be able to issue eight gambling licenses.
It would also give the legislature the authority to “provide for the operation and regulation of sports betting and casino gambling activities in the state.” Currently, the Georgia Constitution bans almost all forms of gambling and reserves the right to change that restriction for the people.
SR 131 states that “all casino gambling activities…shall take place at a casino facility…as no off-site casino gambling activities shall be permitted or authorized in this state.” It also specifies that licensees can only operate one of the eight facilities.
The restriction on gaming to brick-and-mortar play might help rally support in Atlanta. However, it could backfire as well.
Land-based restriction might cost SR 131 support
Members of the Georgia legislature have been trying to pass gaming expansion measures for nearly seven consecutive years, so excluding online gambling from SR 131 could be a result of the sponsoring senators’ “reading the room.” Restricting the gaming to in-person activity might garner more votes in the chambers.
However, it might also harm support outside of the capitol. Previous iterations of gambling bills have included online sports wagering, garnering support from professional sports organizations in Georgia and business leaders.
While they could look at the ratification of SR 131 as a stepping stone to future online gambling, the language of the proposal complicates that perspective. The high bar for the referendum approval is also an issue.
Amendment process could doom SR 131
In Georgia, potential constitutional amendments begin in the state legislature and require a supermajority (⅔) approval in both chambers before they receive voter scrutiny. Once on the ballot, the measures only need a simple majority at the polls.
If business and entertainment industry forces oppose SR 131 on the grounds of the exclusion of online gambling, it could mean enough “no” votes in either the House of Representatives or the Senate to defeat the resolution. Similarly, even if it does get requisite support in the capitol, those same forces could wage a voter campaign opposing the referendum.
Moreover, the language of SR 131 complicates future online casino expansion. Another constitutional amendment would be necessary to open up the state up to online gaming.
For those reasons, 2025 could end the same way the previous six years have in Georgia, with the status quo intact. SR 131 is proof that Georgia legislators are still working to find a solution with broad support.
