Georgia Lawmakers Fail to Approve Sports Betting

Despite efforts late in the legislative session, Georgia lawmakers failed to secure enough votes to get sports betting approved in any form. The failure meant no tax revenue to address a budget deficit brought on by the coronavirus pandemic closures.

The bills in each chamber did not go beyond their committees by the time the legislative session ended, according to Legal Sports Report.

Since the proposals required a constitutional amendment, the legislature required two-thirds vote—an almost impossible task, said Rep. Ron Stephens.

Sports betting revenue would be taxed at 10 percent and could have generated $50 million to $60 million in annual revenue for the state, Stephens said.

Recent Articles

History Playbook

On This Day In Sports History

On August 23, 2017, Dodgers starter Rich Hill lost both a no-hitter and the game on a single pitch in a 1-0 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park. Hill carried a perfect game into the 9th inning before an error broke it up, though he retired the next three batters to keep the no-hitter intact. Returning for the 10th inning in a scoreless tie, Hill surrendered a walk-off home run on a 2-1 pitch to Pittsburgh leadoff hitter Josh Harrison.

On This Day In Sports History

On August 22, 1951, St. Louis Browns pitcher Tommy Byrne tied a major league record by issuing 16 walks in a 3-1, 13-inning loss to the Boston Red Sox at Sportsman's Park. Byrne faced 63 batters, struck out five, left 22 men on base, and even drove in St. Louis's only run with a fifth-inning double. Boston secured the victory in the top of the 13th behind a Ted Williams single and four two-out walks, including a bases-loaded pass to opposing pitcher Leo Kiely, who pitched 12 1/3 innings for the win.