Sports betting was discussed for the first time in the Georgia House of Representatives.

A bill to legalize sports betting in Georgia, which was passed by the state Senate a month ago, was heard for the first time on Tuesday in the state House of Representatives. According to Senate Bill 386, the Georgia Lottery Corporation will oversee sports betting and issue licenses to 16 sports betting providers, Senator Clint Dixon, the bill's main sponsor, informed members of the House Higher Education Committee. Five licenses will be awarded to Atlanta's professional sports teams: the Braves, Falcons, Hawks, Dream, and Atlanta United. Augusta National Golf Club, the Professional Golf Association (PGA), and Atlanta Motor Speedway will each receive one license.

The proposal will also establish that 20% of the net income generated from sports betting will be dedicated to HOPE scholarships and Georgia's preschool education programs. The Senate also passed a constitutional amendment regarding sports betting. The amendment differs from Senate Bill 386 in several aspects, including the allocation of a portion of tax revenues from sports betting to an educational program about the risks of problem gambling. Details and amendments to the bill will be discussed further, taking into account the opinions of committee members and lobbyists.