Georgia lawmakers are preparing a bill that would let residents vote on a constitutional amendment to legalize gambling, mainly online sports betting. Supporters say it could bring in extra money for the state, especially for education programs funded by the lottery.

State Representative Matt Reeves is one of the main backers of the proposal. He argues that many people in Georgia already place sports bets online, but the state is not earning anything from it.

Reeves says Georgia is losing money

Reeves says millions of people in Georgia already place sports bets, but the money goes to other states. He explained that this became clear during big events like the Peach Bowl, adding, “We got the Peach Bowl here today with these two states who are benefiting for their kids’ education, whereas Georgia is not getting a dollar from it, even though millions of Georgians are placing bets.”

He believes legal online betting could bring in billions of dollars over time and become a steady source of income for the state. Reeves says this revenue could strengthen lottery-funded education programs, improve school projects, and also reduce pressure on the overall state budget.

Lawmakers have tried to legalize gambling before, but their efforts have failed so far. In October 2025, a House committee listened to arguments from both sides and later voted against sports betting, which is why Reeves now says it is time to let voters decide directly.

Strong opposition from faith groups

Not everyone supports the plan to legalize gambling in Georgia. Groups like the Faith and Freedom Coalition are strongly against it, saying recent betting scandals in professional sports show how gambling can hurt both players and fans.

The Coalition’s Executive Director, Mack Parnell, pointed to an FBI investigation involving NBA figures including Terry Rozier, Chauncey Billups, and Damon Jones. He said, “This is yet another reminder that when it comes to predatory gambling, sports betting and the associated industries, the only way to win is not to play.”

Opponents also raise concerns about gambling addiction, family debt, and the broader social costs that could come from easier access to betting apps.

Other states move ahead

While Georgia debates, other states are moving ahead. On January 8, Maine Governor Janet Mills signed LD 1164 into law, letting Tribal governments run iGaming operations. The bill, called An Act to Create Economic Opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations, is meant to help Tribal communities earn income and support growth.

The move has faced opposition from groups like the National Association Against iGaming. For Reeves and his supporters, these changes show that Georgia could fall behind. They say letting voters decide on online sports betting is the fair next step in a debate that isn’t going away.