TL;DR: No. As of January 2026, Georgia still does not have legal online or retail sports betting. There are no licensed sportsbooks operating in the state. That said, Georgia residents do have legal alternatives, including Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and sweepstakes-style prediction markets, which remain accessible while physically located in the state. Lawmakers continue to debate legalization and 2026 could be an important year.

This guide explains the current legal status, what happened during the 2025 legislative session, and what to expect in 2026.

Current Legal Status in Georgia (2026)

Sports betting is not legal in Georgia. The state does not allow online sportsbooks, retail sportsbooks, or casino gambling. As a result, residents looking for compliant options typically use Daily Fantasy Sports or prediction markets.

What Happened in 2025?

2025 - House package (advanced, then stalled on Crossover Day, Mar 6, 2025)

• HR 450 (constitutional amendment): This would’ve sent online sports betting to voters (targeting the Nov 2026 ballot). It cleared House Higher Education on Mar 5, but never got a floor vote before the deadline and was later withdrawn/recommitted on Apr 4, 2025.
• HB 686 (“Georgia Sports Betting Act”): The enabling bill that would’ve set up the system—Georgia Lottery Corp. as regulator and up to 16 mobile licenses. It advanced out of committee on Mar 5 but didn’t reach the floor on Crossover Day. A late amendment bumped the proposed tax rate from 20% to 24%.
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2025 - Senate efforts

• SR 131 (constitutional amendment incl. casinos + online sports betting): Failed 9-2 in the Senate Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee on Feb 28, 2025.  
• SB 208 (lottery-based sports betting authorization): Filed Feb 19, 2025; referred to committee and did not advance.

What You Can Do in Georgia Right Now (2026)

• Prediction markets (e.g., Novig): Trade sports outcomes peer-to-peer with no house or commissions; available in most states and offering better odds than traditional sportsbooks since you play directly against other real users.
• Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): Draft lineups or make stat-based picks on licensed/available DFS platforms.
• Travel betting (nearby states): If you travel to a state with legal online sportsbooks (e.g., Tennessee or North Carolina), you may place bets while physically located there with approved operators

Compliant Alternatives Available in Georgia

1) Novig (Prediction Market)

What it is:
A peer-to-peer prediction market where users trade sports outcomes directly with one another. Instead of betting against a sportsbook with fixed lines, participants buy and sell outcome contracts in an open market. There are no sportsbook margins and no commissions on trades.

Why it stands out:

• Market-driven pricing allows users to set and react to odds in real time, which can lead to fairer pricing and better value.
• Broad market coverage includes everything from full-game outcomes to player stats and in-game moments.
• A streamlined experience with a simple entry process, clear rules, and timely payouts, subject to platform terms.

Common ways Georgians use it:

• Trading game outcomes across major sports including NFL, professional basketball, MLB, professional hockey, soccer, and more.
• Participating in player-based markets, such as passing yards or scoring milestones.
• Buying and selling futures or season-long outcomes as tradable contracts.
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2) Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) Platforms

DFS apps such as Underdog, DraftKings Pick6, FanDuel Picks, Sleeper, ParlayPlay, and others remain available in Georgia. These platforms offer formats like pick’em contests, best ball drafts, and traditional salary-cap games. Payout structures and rules vary by app and contest type.

DFS tips for Georgia users:

• Verify whether you are entering a pick’em contest, draft, or salary-cap format.
• Review payout timelines and any promotional terms before entering.
• Use responsible play tools such as deposit limits or time-based restrictions when available.

How Georgia Could Legalize Sports Betting Next

Potential path:
Lawmakers continue to debate whether legal sports betting requires a constitutional amendment or could be authorized through statute alone. Versions of both approaches have been introduced in recent sessions.
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Framework under discussion:
Because Georgia does not have casinos, proposals often focus on a mobile-only model similar to Tennessee, with online sportsbooks overseen by a state regulator and tax revenue directed toward education or other public programs.
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Timing considerations:
Even if legislation passes, regulators would still need time to finalize rules, license operators, and prepare for launch. As a result, legal sportsbooks would not go live immediately after a bill is approved.

What to Expect Throughout the Rest of 2026

Looking ahead, 2026 could be another meaningful year for sports betting discussions in Georgia, but legalization is not guaranteed.

Most serious proposals now assume a constitutional amendment, a statewide voter referendum, mobile-only sportsbooks, regulation through the Georgia Lottery, and tax revenue earmarked for public programs such as education.

Even if lawmakers succeed in 2026, additional steps would still be required. Regulators would need time to write rules and approve operators before sportsbooks could launch.

Realistically, the earliest a regulated sports betting market could launch in Georgia would be 2027 or later.

FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Georgia?
No. Georgia does not allow online or retail sports betting as of 2026.

Are prediction markets legal in Georgia?
Yes. Prediction markets, like Novig, are accessible in Georgia because they are not classified as traditional sportsbooks. Eligibility depends on each platform’s terms.

Can I use DraftKings or FanDuel sportsbooks in Georgia?
No. Their sportsbook products require you to be in a state where sports betting is legal. Their DFS products are available in Georgia.

What is the minimum age?
Prediction markets are typically 21 and over. DFS platforms are often 18 and over. Always check the operator’s terms.

Will Georgia legalize sports betting in 2026?
It is possible that voters could be asked to decide in 2026, but even if that happens, sportsbooks would likely not launch until 2027 or later.