The state of Georgia has long been one of the top markets for offshore betting sites. It is the eighth most populated state in the US and currently has no domestic wagering options.

While prominent Georgians were hoping to pass a new bill allowing domestic sportsbooks, the state legislature has elected to forego voting for yet another legislative session.

House Bill 686 was a legislative act designed to permit retail and mobile sports wagering by extending the Georgia Lottery’s authority. The adjacent House Resolution 450 would have also put the issue before voters; however, both the Bill and the Resolution are dead.

Rep. Chuck Martin of Alpharetta told the media that the legislation came in late, and lawmakers weren’t there yet. He also stated, “We’ll keep working with people and trying to do what’s in the state’s best interest.”

Georgia’s Sportsbook Potential

Georgia has over 11 million residents and is considered a top legislative target for domestic sportsbooks alongside California and Texas. Today, 39 states (+ Washington D.C.) have domestic sports betting options.

With three professional sports teams and several prominent college teams, Georgia could benefit from the additional revenue generated by licensing domestic sportsbooks. Additionally, several polls conducted throughout the state indicate that most residents favor passing domestic sports betting bills.

Online Sports Betting For GA residents

The state of Georgia has been allowing offshore sportsbooks to service their players since the late 1990s, as no laws make them illegal. While it is technically not legal, no laws forbid their access or create punishments for gambling online.

It is estimated that nearly 300,000 online sports betting accounts will remain active among GA residents in 2025. Popular wagering options include the NFL, NCAA, MLS, and NBA, as the state has a professional team in each of those leagues.

Until a domestic sports betting bill is passed in Georgia, Georgians only have the offshore option. While some people are wary of offshore sites, their concerns are often unwarranted, as the sites we vet and recommend adhere to tougher regulations from world-renowned gaming authorities that go above and beyond to ensure player protection.

However, if you choose to gamble online, make sure that you start small and never wager more than you can afford to lose. There is a reason so many of the sites we play and recommend have been around for several decades, and it’s not because they rip people off; it’s because they offer a quality service and fast “real money” payouts.

One of the most influential Republicans is drafting a House bill that would permit Ohio residents to engage in online gambling beyond sports betting. The legislation could soon enable Ohio players to access virtual poker or other casino games on their phones or laptops.

Representative Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) has confirmed that he is working on a bill to establish iGaming in Ohio and generate additional revenue for the state. Stewart is the chair of the House Finance Committee and the sponsor of House Bill 96, the House version of the two-year state budget.

Republicans approved House Bill 96 after making significant changes to Governor Mike DeWine’s initial budget, including removing a doubling of the tax on sports gambling operators intended to create a sports facilities fund.

State Legislators Show Signs Of Support

State legislators are not new to the concept of casino-style games or lottery games online. Two years ago, a commission was established in the current budget and approved to investigate the idea. A report was issued last July.

Three Republican lawmakers on that panel stated in the report that other states that legalized iGaming, iLottery, or both experienced “substantial increases in tax revenues generated with greater participation.” However, Representatives Jeff LaRe (R-Violet Twp..), Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison), and former Representative Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) also observed that in-person sales of lottery games increased as well.

Lawmakers noted that additional tax revenue benefits to the state and funding could be provided to the K-12 education system, and should not be overlooked. However, lawmakers cautioned that implementing iGaming or iLottery should not negatively impact Ohio’s existing brick-and-mortar casinos and racinos. The industry has expressed concerns about how internet gambling might affect traffic at its four casinos and seven racinos.

The Ohio Senate is reviewing the budget and considering an iGaming bill. House Republicans had removed DeWine’s tax increases on sports gambling operators, marijuana, and cigarettes, stating they were not interested in raising any taxes.

However, the House budget did not include an income tax reduction. An income tax cut or revision has been included in the last seven state budgets.

Offshore Casinos Operating To OH Players

For most Ohio players, the addition of domestic online casino and poker services will just expand their options, as offshore casinos have been accepting players since the late 1990s.

Offshore casinos operate from outside the state to avoid local laws and restrictions enforced on domestic services. In Ohio, there are no gambling laws that explicitly make online gambling illegal; however, laws are preventing domestic casinos from operating online in the state.

Popular online casino games include blackjack betting, roulette, video poker, live dealer games, slots, and specialty games. Ohio players also like the incorporation of cryptocurrencies as the digital assets offer higher bonuses, and of course, crypto payouts.

The Hard Rock Casino just north of Sacramento at Fire Mountain recently announced that it plans to expand.

The casino, located at 3317 Forty Mile Rd, Wheatland, CA, recently acquired 350 acres between the casino and the Toyota Amphitheatre. The land has been undeveloped for years and is now expected to be transformed into a premier tourist destination. The Toyota Amphitheatre is an 18k+ outdoor venue in Yuba County and generally hosts rock and country concerts.

Some proposed ideas for the land include a festival entertainment district, a rodeo space, sports facilities, and resort amenities. There will also likely be retail and dining facilities, walking paths, and a possible stadium or fairground area. District 4 Yuba County Supervisor Gary Bradford stated, “It will bring thousands of jobs and enhance the quality of life for existing residents by increasing local dining, entertainment, and retail options.”

The Hard Rock at Fire Mountain opened in 2019 and has already contributed approximately $2.5 billion to the local economy. The Hard Rock Casino is located on tribal land, but the new developments will not be. Therefore, the community is set to benefit even more from regular sales and property tax revenue.

Officials said construction could take 5-10 years to complete, and the new developments could cost anywhere from $2-4 billion USD. Construction could also begin as early as 2026.

California Local Casinos

California has no casinos, as all are on federal land and governed by the tribes and the federal government. However, there are currently more than 75 tribal casinos in operation in California, all of which are located outside of the major metropolitan areas.

Recently, several tribal casinos have lobbied for more favorable land to be included in their trust, and while approved by the Biden Administration, a new legal battle is ongoing.

Online California Casinos

While casinos located in California are not permitted to offer their services online, offshore casinos have been accepting players for years. Since no specific gambling laws forbid out-of-state online casinos from accepting CA players.

Online casinos typically offer the same gaming options as Vegas casinos, including slots, video poker, keno, blackjack, roulette, and more. However, online casino games often accept lower buy-ins because they are powered by random number generators, not live dealers.

To further gain players’ trust, legitimate casinos will complete compliance checks that test the games for fairness. They also further ensure that online firewalls and encryption methods are working correctly.