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A Georgia House committee tasked with studying the potential legalization of gaming and evaluating economic and tax impacts heard from many stakeholders during their meeting Monday. Many wonder if this is the year that sports betting will pass both Chambers of the Georgia General Assembly – especially as lawmakers look for ways to generate new revenue streams if Georgia were to eliminate the state income tax.

Among those testifying was the head of the PGA Tour’s gaming division – one day after the Tour Championship crowned its latest champion at East Lake in Atlanta.

“This is a way to get the core fan engaged longer on our sport,” said Scott Warfield of the PGA. “They engage more with our content and follow the tournaments closely.”

The PGA Tour has joined other major Atlanta sports teams in the push for legalization – including the Falcons, Braves, Hawks and Atlanta United.

Also testifying was former North Carolina Rep. Jason Saine who spoke on benefits legalized sports betting brought to his state “without significant repercussions.” Saine was the sponsor of the North Carolina bill that passed in 2023 – a year after legalized gaming was defeated in the North Carolina House by one vote, according to testimony.

According to reports, Saine also told members of the committee that North Carolina far exceeded its projected revenues of $64 million in its first year of legal gaming, bringing in $116 million.

Rick Lackey, Jr. Founder and CEO of City Commercial Real Estate, Inc. presented on potential casino sites, how casinos make their property decisions, and the additional property ventures that could populate around a casino. He also drilled down to identify the best sites in Georgia for a possible casino, including sites in Atlanta, Northwest Georgia, Camden County, Savannah, Augusta, Columbus and Central Georgia.

Casino owners and operators testified on the economic and employment benefits to the state while describing different types of regional integrated resort properties they would be likely to develop in the state.

The study committee, which is being chaired by Rep. Marcus Weidower, R-Watkinsville, will meet two more times before presenting its findings to the General Assembly.

Legislation creating the study committee says: “The financial implications for the state of such potential legalization as well as previously considered measures by the General Assembly to improve Georgia’s economy deserve to be further considered and studied along with the social, fiscal, and economic impacts and the financial viability of such endeavors.”

Sports betting is legal in 39 states and the District of Columbia, according to the American Gaming Association. Tennessee and Florida allow sports betting.