Georgia Senate passes sports betting bill, but odds dim with as constitutional amendment required

Georgia senators passed a bill to allow sports gambling Thursday, but not before deciding that the measure also requires a state constitutional amendment, throwing ultimate passage into doubt.

The Senate voted 35-15 to pass Senate Bill 386, sending it to the House for more debate. But 34 senators went against the sponsor's wishes by attaching the requirement for the amendment in a separate vote. That would necessitate an additional constitutional amendment which would need support from at least 38 senators.

The maneuvering shows how many Georgia lawmakers support an expansion of legal gambling, but disagree on what additional gambling should be added or by what legal method. That has killed bills years after year, including in 2023.

Nationwide, 38 states allow sports betting. Some states allow only in-person bets, although most allow electronic betting from anywhere.