The development places Georgia among just a handful of remaining US states that continue to prohibit sports betting, despite the increasing number of states that have embraced the practice in recent years.

The latest push for a constitutional amendment, introduced only last week, did not gain enough traction in the House before the legislative deadline passed.

With the failure to pass the measure in time, any potential revival during the last month of the session is highly unlikely. However, lawmakers could still revisit the issue in 2026, the second half of Georgia’s two-year legislative session.

House Higher Education Committee chairman Chuck Martin acknowledged that the late introduction of the proposal contributed to its failure.

The push to legalise sports betting in Georgia has been backed by influential groups, including Atlanta’s professional sports teams, business organisations, and Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.

However, despite their support, legislative efforts have repeatedly faltered.

Political infighting prevents bill from advancing

Georgia’s continued legislative roadblock is largely due to a lack of Democratic support. A constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, a threshold that cannot be reached without Democratic votes.

House Minority Whip Sam Park noted that his party’s priority is ensuring that any tax revenue from sports betting is directed toward prekindergarten funding — a stipulation included in the proposed amendment from Martin’s committee.

Within the Republican Party, there is also division on the issue. Some GOP lawmakers strongly oppose legalisation, citing concerns over gambling addiction, particularly among younger individuals.

This opposition further complicates efforts to achieve the necessary votes for passage.

Supporters argue that allowing sports betting in Georgia would generate much-needed tax revenue while also providing consumer protections that do not exist in the current illegal market.

Rep. Marcus Wiedower, who sponsored the measure, emphasised that many Georgians already participate in sports betting illegally and should be given a legal and regulated alternative.

Despite these arguments, the failure to move forward in the legislature means Georgia will not be joining the growing list of states with legal sports betting anytime soon.

Sports betting still a sensitive topic

Georgia is not alone in facing challenges with legalisation. In Minnesota, a sports betting bill stalled in a Senate committee in February, failing on a 6-6 tie vote.

Despite backing from the state’s 11 Native American tribes, horse racing tracks, charitable gaming organisations, and professional sports teams, the proposal could not gain sufficient legislative support.

Similarly, Texas previously saw a sports betting bill pass the state House, only for the Senate to reject it.

California voters decisively rejected sports betting in a 2022 referendum, highlighting the uphill battle legalisation faces in certain states. A second attempt a year later also failed.

However, progress is being made elsewhere. Missouri, which approved sports betting through a voter referendum in 2024, has moved into the regulatory phase, drafting rules and reviewing sportsbook applications.

The launch of legal betting is expected later in the year, possibly by late summer or early autumn.

Hawaii also took a step forward this week, with the state House passing a bill on Tuesday to legalise online sports betting.