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.