ATLANTA (AP) — There's still a chance Georgians will vote on licensing sports betting in November, but that may be unlikely.
The House Higher Education Committee on Thursday passed both a state constitutional amendment and a bill that would allow Georgians to legally bet on professional and college sports.
But Democratic officials said the party still wants to change how state taxes are spent on sports betting. Without votes from the Democratic Party, the constitutional amendment bill would not be able to achieve the two-thirds majority needed to pass both houses of Congress. And the Republican Party is far from unified. Some Republicans oppose sports betting, saying the state doesn't want to sanction destructive and addictive behavior.
The time to reach an agreement is short. Lawmakers will adjourn their 2024 annual meeting after sunset Thursday.
House Minority Whip Sam Park, D-Lawrenceville, voted in favor of advancing Senate Resolution 579 and Senate Bill 386, but he and other Democrats are pushing back against passing the bill as it is currently written. He said he does not support it. This is because a House of Representatives committee changed a measure that would allow tax dollars to be used for scholarships and kindergarten classes at HOPE University.
The Senate bill prioritizes using the money for kindergarten education, with some Democrats saying it could be used for other purposes, such as financial aid for colleges that don't require students to achieve or maintain a certain grade. also wants the funds to be used.
“This is a departure from the state Senate's bipartisan compromise that prioritized voluntary preschool funding,” Park said.
Supporters say Georgians should have the opportunity to vote and argue that many already bet on sports illegally.
“This will allow us to take these people out of the illegal market and into the legal market, where we can regulate and tax them and take care of the people of Georgia,” said Rep. Marcus Wiedauer, R-Watkinsville, who is sponsoring the bill in the House. and protect it.” .
But opponents warn that legalizing sports betting could provide a path to addiction, especially for young gamblers.
“Once it's approved by the state, it's on a different level for me. If the state says OK, it becomes OK for a lot of people who aren't doing this right now,” said U.S. Rep. Clay Perkle, R-Ashburn. he said.
Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, who has led the effort in the chamber, said the proposed constitutional amendment, which would provide up to $22.5 million to treat gambling addictions, would “create the strongest problem gambling provisions in sports betting law.” “I believe that it will be something that we can provide,” he said. In this country. “
Nationwide, 38 states allow sports betting. Some states only allow in-person betting, but most allow electronic betting from anywhere. Under Georgia's previous bill, 20% of the proceeds would have been collected in taxes after winnings were paid out to gamblers. Nationally, tax rates are set from his 6.75% in Iowa to 51% in Rhode Island and New York.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
