Georgia’s battle over legalizing sports betting has become a major issue in the 2026 election cycle, with gambling companies funneling millions of dollars into campaigns supporting candidates who favor regulation of the industry.
Following the collapse of a sports betting bill in the Georgia House earlier this year, major betting operators are now backing lawmakers and challengers from both political parties who support legalization efforts in one of the last remaining untapped US markets.
Lobby groups have committed close to US$10 million in independent campaign spending, making sports betting interests one of the most influential outside forces in Georgia politics this year.
