Sports betting operators like DraftKings and FanDuel have invested nearly $10 million into Georgia legislative races as the industry attempts to push to legalize Georgia sports betting. The spending targeted candidates tied to the failed House Resolution 450 vote, which had aimed to legalize Georgia sports betting, including Democratic Rep. Mary Ann Santos and Republican Sen. Frank Ginn.
Georgia remains one of the largest U.S. states without legalized sports betting, despite years of lobbying from major operators and advocacy groups. Previous legalization efforts, including House Resolution 450, stalled due to bipartisan concerns over gambling addiction, regulatory oversight, and how potential tax revenue would be allocated.
In response, industry-funded political action committees have expanded their involvement in state elections. American Conservative Fund Action Georgia reportedly spent nearly $7 million supporting Republican legislative candidates, while American Future directed roughly $2.5 million toward Democratic races. Both groups receive significant backing from Win for America, a committee funded by sports betting companies including DraftKings and FanDuel.
The growing financial involvement from major sports betting operators and affiliated political groups could result in renewed momentum for legalized online wagering in Georgia. By backing candidates viewed as more open to gambling expansion, the industry is trying to lay the groundwork for future legislation after the failure of House Resolution 450.
Regulated Georgia sports betting could generate millions in tax revenue for state programs while also creating jobs tied to technology, marketing, customer support, and compliance operations. It would also move bettors away from offshore platforms by creating a controlled environment with consumer protections, responsible gambling tools, and state oversight.
These offshore betting sites aren’t required to meet compliance standards, so they’re not a safe environment for sports bettors. To that end, legalization would benefit users with a more secure experience.
While there are still concerns about gambling addiction, the latest round of political spending suggests the industry is preparing for another push to bring legalized sports betting to Georgia in the upcoming legislative sessions.
There’s a good chance that in the upcoming legislative session, a new measure will be presented in an attempt to legalize sports betting in Georgia.
Legislators could revisit elements of House Resolution 450 or draft a revised bill designed to address concerns that previously stalled legalization efforts.
A future proposal may include stricter responsible gambling measures, updated regulatory frameworks, and clearer plans for how tax revenue would be distributed across state programs. Lawmakers could also push for a voter referendum, allowing Georgia residents to decide directly on the issue of legalized sports betting.
The increased political spending from companies like DraftKings and FanDuel also suggests the industry is committed to maintaining long-term pressure on lawmakers rather than treating legalization as a one-session effort.
As neighboring states continue to expand regulated betting markets, Georgia risks missing out on tax revenue and economic activity by delaying legalization. It’s still up in the air on what could come next, but there’s definitely a push towards bringing regulated sports betting to Georgia.
