Former Chief Justice of Georgia Says Lawmakers in the State Can Enact Legislation That Ends the Ban on Sports Betting in the State

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Last updated: January 25, 2023

The former chief justice of Georgia Harold Melton, who presided over the highest judicial authority of the state, does not think an amendment to the constitution is required to authorize sports betting in the state. From September 2018 to June 2021, Melton presided over the Georgia Supreme Court as its chief justice. He was first appointed to the highest bench of the state on July 1st, 2015.

Melton has spent his whole career practicing law in Georgia. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Auburn University and his Juris Doctorate at the University of Georgia. Melton, who’s one of the top legal minds in the state, was most recently asked for his opinions on the legalization of sports betting by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He came to the conclusion that the lawmakers in the state have the legal right to enact legislation that ends the ban on sports betting in Georgia.

The Views of Sports Betting Proponents and Opponents

One of the most controversial topics among Georgian state lawmakers is gaming. Many Republicans think that any gaming expansion that is outside of the lottery run by the state would reduce the quality of life in Georgia.

Opponents of gaming point to socio-ills such as problem gambling, crime, bankruptcy, suicide, and domestic abuse that are often linked to legal gambling. However, it’s estimated that Georgians gambled $5 billion on sports last year via illegal neighborhood bookies and offshore websites.

Sports betting proponents have been vocal about changing the laws related to gambling in Georgia. They say that legalizing it would safeguard consumers and bring in new tax revenue for the state. However, the opinions of lawmakers differ as to whether the Georgia Constitution needs to be amended before sports betting can be legalized.

Locals Support Sports Betting

Melton mentions that there is an easier way with which Georgia can join the more than thirty other states that have made sports betting legal since the Supreme Court of the US said that such gambling should be decided by the states, not the federal government.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was the first to report Melton’s viewpoint. Instead of a constitutional amendment, legislative action would reduce the votes required in the Senate and House from 37 and 119 votes to just 29 and 91 votes, respectively.

Georgians desire the freedom to legally bet on sports, according to the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. According to a recent poll that was carried out by Cygnal, almost 52% of those who are likely to vote would support legalizing online sports betting in Georgia.

In the poll, 51.5% of respondents said that they would support an effort to regulate and legalize online sports betting in Georgia, while just 24.2% mentioned that they would oppose it. The remaining respondents lacked certainty.

The Senior Vice President at Metro Atlanta Chamber, Marshall Guest, says that allowing citizens to take part in accountable, safe sports betting will only build on the reputation of Georgia as a great place to work, innovate, and live.