Georgia Eyes 2027 Push for Casinos, Sports Betting

Democrats’ sweeping victories in Georgia during the 2026 midterms are providing fresh momentum for advocates pushing to end the Peach State’s longstanding prohibition on casinos and sports betting. Georgia Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms speaks during her victory party on election night at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on Nov. 3, 2026. Bottoms is supportive of casino gambling if it increases funding for education and other initiatives. (Image: Getty) Democrats are set to take control of the Georgia House of Representatives for the first time in more than two decades. Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms was the first Democrat elected governor of Georgia since Roy Barnes in 1998. She’ll make history in January when she’s sworn in as the nation’s first Black female governor. While Republicans will maintain a four-seat majority in the state Senate, the odds are good that the push to legalize casino resorts and sports betting will be fiercer than ever in 2027. Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta and a senior advisor to President Joe Biden, campaigned on affordability, running on claims that she can bring down costs for everyday life as well as reduce health care and education expenses for everyday Georgians. To accomplish those goals, Bottoms needs more money. She’s suggested that expanding gambling can play a role. Governor’s Support for Gaming Expansion Unlike her two-term predecessor, Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who refused to endorse efforts to legalize casinos and sports betting, Bottoms is open to new forms of gambling. Georgia currently limits gambling to small charitable games of chance and its wildly successful Georgia Lottery, which has provided more than 2.3 million students with college scholarships. Bottoms wants to guarantee universal pre-K access for every four-year-old in Georgia and expand kindergarten to full-day learning. Bottoms hopes to finance the expanded public education through gambling. The incoming governor first needs Georgians to back a gaming referendum, a requirement before the legislature can pass legislation to set the regulatory framework for casinos and/or sports betting. Funding this promise starts with giving Georgia voters the final say. A constitutional amendment is required because the Georgia Constitution provides that casino gambling is prohibited unless specifically allowed, so casino gaming cannot be authorized by ordinary legislation alone,” Bottoms said earlier this year. Gaming expansion still faces an uphill battle, as Georgia’s religious groups carry much weight in Atlanta. Notable organizations that have rallied against gambling include the Faith and Freedom Coalition, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, and Moms Against Gambling. In legalizing immoral vices, we have put money over morality. We have made what appears to be the idolatry of money the primary reason for passing or not passing legislation in government,” said Mike Griffin, public affairs representative for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. Georgia is one of only four states without tribal or commercial casinos. Along with Hawaii, South Carolina, and Utah, Georgia is the most populous non-casino state. Public Polling Polls in recent years have suggested that a majority of Georgians favor allowing casino gambling, with around 60% of voters expressing support. Polls have found less enthusiasm for sports betting, though pollsters believe a majority remains in favor of regulating and taxing bets on professional and college sports. The post Georgia Eyes 2027 Push for Casinos, Sports Betting appeared first on Casino.org.