Georgia Betting Bill Returns to the Senate
The measure advanced to a third reading in the Senate. It was shelved in August but has now reappeared as sponsors attempt to pass the law and legalise gambling.
State Senator Bill Cowsert of Georgia introduced Senate Bill 172 in February of last year. It was up against HB 380, a competing measure that attempted to regulate and legalise sports betting in the state.
The measure advanced to a third reading in the Senate. It was shelved in August but has now reappeared as sponsors attempt to pass the law and legalise gambling.
SB 172's basic purpose has remained mostly intact in the most recent iteration. The measures outlined in the bill are nearly identical to those in last year's version, including provisions addressing licence fees and taxes.
SB 172 has numerous licencing kinds, each with a separate price. The Georgia Sports Betting Commission would be in charge of issuing licences.
A type one sports betting licence permits gambling through an online sports betting service. This would need an application cost of $100,000 (£78,544/€91,328) and an annual fee of $1.0 million.
Physical betting necessitates a type 2 sports betting retail licence. This comes with a $500 application charge and a yearly $1,000 renewal fee.
A type two sports betting distributor licence is also required for the delivery of self-service betting terminals in retail betting. Furthermore, a type two sports betting platform licence permits holders to provide retail sports betting on behalf of retail licensees.
According to the law, the number of licences offered and given to operators would be unlimited. However, the Commission will award at least six type one licences and five type two permits.
