Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB686: Georgia Sports Betting Act; enact
Status: Failed, March 6, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to state government, so as to authorize and provide for the regulation and taxation of sports betting in this state; to amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the O.C.G.A., relating to gambling, so as to exclude from the definition of "bet" any consideration paid to a sports betting licensee; to provide for the exemption of persons lawfully engaged in online sports betting from regulations and restrictions regarding gambling information; to amend Title 48 of the O.C.G.A., relating to revenue and taxation, so as to exempt wagers placed as part of sports betting; to provide for related matters; to provide for a contingent effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government, so as to authorize and provide for the regulation and taxation of sports betting in this state; to provide for additional powers and duties of the Georgia Lottery Corporation; to provide for the corporation to engage in certain activities related to sports betting; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for definitions; to provide for the corporation's powers and duties relative to sports betting…
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government, so as to authorize and provide for the regulation and taxation of sports betting in this state; to provide for additional powers and duties of the Georgia Lottery Corporation; to provide for the corporation to engage in certain activities related to sports betting; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for definitions; to provide for the corporation's powers and duties relative to sports betting; to provide for the procedures, limitations, requirements, and qualifications of the licensing of any person offering, operating, or managing sports betting in this state; to provide for rules and regulations promulgated by the corporation; to provide for a privilege tax; to establish the Georgia Sports Betting Proceeds Trust Fund; to require certain reports; to regulate wagers and provide requirements for bettors; to provide for violations; to provide for penalties and fines; to provide for bettors to restrict themselves from placing certain wagers; to provide certain resources and safeguards for individuals with problem gambling or a betting or gambling disorder; to provide for the use of official league data; to prohibit certain conduct by the corporation, employees of the corporation, licensees, and other persons; to provide for certain penalties; to provide …
Sponsors
- Marcus Wiedower (R) · primary sponsor
- Charles Martin (R, 49)
- Matt Dubnik (R, 29)
- Al Williams (D, 168)
- Matt Reeves (R, 99)
Latest actions
- : House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : House Withdrawn, Recommitted
- : House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : House Second Readers
- : House First Readers
- : House Hopper
Common questions
- What is HB686?
- HB686 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Georgia Sports Betting Act; enact.
- What does HB686 do?
- In its own words: To amend Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government, so as to authorize and provide for the regulation and taxation of sports betting in this state; to provide for additional powers and duties of the Georgia Lottery Corporation; to provide for the corporation to engage in certain activities related to sports betting; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for definitions; to provide for the corporation's powers and duties relative to sports betting…
- What is the status of HB686?
- Failed as of March 6, 2026. Latest action: House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (March 6, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB686?
- Marcus Wiedower (R), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB686?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71019
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.