Georgia House Bill HB910 Introduced / Bill

                    25 LC 55 0621
House Bill 910
By: Representative Hatchett of the 155
th
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government,
1
so as to authorize and provide for the regulation and taxation of sports betting in this state;2
to provide for additional powers and duties of the Georgia Lottery Corporation; to provide3
for the corporation to engage in certain activities related to sports betting; to provide for a4
short title; to provide for legislative findings; to revise and provide for definitions; to provide5
for the corporation's powers and duties relative to sports betting; to provide for the6
procedures, limitations, requirements, and qualifications of the licensing of any person7
offering, operating, or managing sports betting in this state; to provide for rules and8
regulations promulgated by the corporation; to provide for a privilege tax; to require certain9
reports; to regulate wagers and provide requirements for bettors; to provide for bettors to10
restrict themselves from placing certain wagers; to provide certain resources for individuals11
with problem gambling or a betting or gambling disorder; to provide for the collection and12
disposition of fees and fines; to prohibit certain conduct by the corporation, employees of the13
corporation, licensees, and other persons; to provide for certain penalties; to provide for14
construction; to amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of15
Georgia Annotated, relating to gambling, so as to exclude any consideration paid to a sports16
betting licensee from the definition of "bet"; to provide for the exemption of persons licensed17
for online sports betting from regulations and restrictions regarding gambling information;18
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to amend Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to revenue and
19
taxation, so as to exempt wagers placed as part of sports betting; to provide for related20
matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.21
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:22
PART I23
SECTION 1-1.24
Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government, is amended25
in Code Section 50-27-3, relating to definitions for the "Georgia Lottery for Education Act,"26
by revising paragraphs (13) and (20) and adding a new paragraph to read as follows:27
"(13)  'Lottery,' 'lotteries,' 'lottery game,' or 'lottery games' means any game of chance28
approved by the board and operated pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited29
to, instant tickets, on-line
 online games, online sports betting, and games using30
mechanical or electronic devices but excluding pari-mutuel betting and casino gambling31
as defined in this Code section."32
"(20)  'Pari-mutuel betting' means a method or system of wagering on actual races33
involving horses or dogs at tracks which involves the distribution of winnings by pools.34
Such term shall not mean lottery games which may be predicated on a horse racing or dog35
racing scheme that does not involve actual track events.  Such term shall not mean the36
lottery game of sports betting or traditional lottery games which may involve the37
distribution of winnings by pools."38
"(23.1) 'Sports betting' shall have the same meaning as provided in Code Section39
50-27-122."40
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SECTION 1-2.
41
Said title is further amended in Code Section 50-27-9, relating to general powers of the42
Georgia Lottery Corporation, by revising paragraphs (18) and (19) of subsection (a) and43
adding a new paragraph to read as follows:44
"(18)  To act as a retailer, to conduct promotions which involve the dispensing of lottery45
tickets or shares, and to establish and operate a sales facility to sell lottery tickets or46
shares and any related merchandise; and
47
(19)  To perform any actions and carry out any responsibilities provided for in Article 448
of this chapter; and49
(19)(20) To adopt and amend such regulations, policies, and procedures as necessary to50
carry out and implement its powers and duties, organize and operate the corporation,51
regulate the conduct of lottery games in general, and any other matters necessary or52
desirable for the efficient and effective operation of the lottery or the convenience of the53
public.  The promulgation of any such regulations, policies, and procedures pursuant to54
this article and Article 2 of this chapter shall be exempt from the requirements of Chapter55
13 of this title, the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.'  Notwithstanding any other56
provision of law to the contrary, hearings related to any dispute between licensees under57
Code Section 50-27-102 shall be held in accordance with the provisions of Part 1 of58
Article 1 of Chapter 9 of Title 9, the 'Georgia Arbitration Code.'  All other hearings and59
any rules, regulations, policies, or procedures related to the administration, enforcement,60
or violation of this article shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 13 of this title."61
PART II62
SECTION 2-1.63
Said title is further amended by adding a new article to Chapter 27, relating to the "Georgia64
Lottery for Education Act," to read as follows:65
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"ARTICLE 466
Part 167
50-27-120.68
This article shall be known and may be cited as the 'Georgia Lottery Game of Sports69
Betting Act.'70
50-27-121.71
The General Assembly finds that:72
(1)  Article I, Section II, Paragraph VIII(c) of the Constitution of the State of Georgia73
authorizes the General Assembly to provide by law for any matters relating to purposes74
or provisions of that subparagraph, which purposes and provisions include the operation75
and regulation of a lottery or lotteries and which purposes and provisions may encompass76
sports betting as a game or games offered by the Georgia Lottery Corporation;77
(2)  Sports betting shall be overseen and regulated, and may also be offered, by the78
Georgia Lottery Corporation in a manner that provides continuing entertainment to the79
public, maximizes revenues, and ensures that sports betting is operated in this state with80
integrity and dignity and free of political influence;81
(3)  The corporation shall be accountable to the General Assembly and to the public for82
the management and oversight of sports betting in this state through a system of audits83
and reports;84
(4)  The ability to offer sports betting in this state under a license issued in accordance85
with this article constitutes a taxable privilege and not a right;86
(5)  Net proceeds of sports betting conducted pursuant to this article shall be used for the87
purposes authorized by Article I, Section II, Paragraph VIII of the Constitution of88
Georgia; and89
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(6)  In accordance with Code Section 50-27-2, sports betting shall be conducted in a90
manner so as to safeguard the fiscal soundness of the state, to enhance public welfare, and91
to support the funding authorized by Article I, Section II, Paragraph VIII of the92
Constitution of Georgia.93
50-27-122.94
As used in this article, the term:95
(1)  'Adjusted gross income' means the total of all moneys paid to a licensee as bets minus96
federal excise taxes and minus the total amount paid out to winning bettors, including the97
cash value of merchandise.98
(2)  'Applicant' means any person that applies for a license under this article.99
(3)  'Bettor' means an individual who is:100
(A)  Physically present in this state when placing a wager with a licensee;101
(B)  Twenty-one years of age or older; and102
(C)  Not prohibited from placing a wager or bet under Code Section 50-27-162.103
(4)  'Bond' means a bond held in escrow for the purpose of maintaining adequate reserves104
to account for losses suffered by a licensee and owed to bettors.105
(5)  'Cheating' means improving the chances of winning or altering the outcome through106
deception, interference, or manipulation of a sporting event or of any equipment,107
including software, pertaining to or used in relation to the equipment used for or in108
connection with the sporting event on which wagers are placed or invited.  Such term109
shall include match fixing and attempts and conspiracy to cheat.110
(6)  'Collegiate sporting event' means a sporting or athletic event involving a sports or111
athletic team of a public or private institution of higher education.112
(7)  'Esports event' means an organized video game competition between players who113
play individually or as teams.114
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(8)  'Fantasy or simulated contest' means a game or event in which one or more players115
compete based on winning outcomes that reflect the relative knowledge and skill of the116
players and are determined predominately by accumulated statistical results of the117
performance of individuals, including, but not limited to, athletes in sporting events.118
(9)  'Fixed-odds betting' means bets made at predetermined odds or on the spread where119
the return to the bettor is unaffected by any later change in odds or the spread.120
(10)  'Futures bet' means a wager made on the occurrence of an event in the future121
relating to a sporting event.122
(11)  'Institutional investor' means:123
(A)  A retirement fund administered by a public agency for the exclusive benefit of124
federal, state, or local public employees;125
(B)  An investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940;126
(C)  A chartered or licensed life insurance company or property and casualty insurance127
company;128
(D)  A banking and other chartered or licensed lending institution;129
(E)  An investment advisor registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; or130
(F) A pension investment board.131
(12)  'License' means any of the licenses issued by the corporation under this article.132
(13)  'Licensee' means a person that holds a license issued by the corporation under this133
article.134
(14)  'Master sports betting licensee' means the Georgia Lottery Corporation.135
(15)  'Material nonpublic information' means information that has not been disseminated136
publicly concerning an athlete, contestant, prospective contestant, or athletic team,137
including, without limitation, confidential information related to medical conditions or138
treatment, physical or mental health or conditioning, physical therapy or recovery,139
discipline, sanctions, academic status, education records, eligibility, playbooks, signals,140
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schemes, techniques, game plans, practices, strategies, assessments, systems, drills, or141
recordings of practices or other athletic activities.142
(16)  'Minor' means an individual who is less than 21 years of age.143
(17)  'Money line' means the fixed odds in relation to a dollar amount that a team or144
person participating in a sporting event will win outright regardless of the spread.145
(18)  'Official event data' means statistics, results, outcomes, and other data related to a146
sporting event obtained pursuant to an agreement with the relevant sporting events147
operator whose corporate headquarters is based in the United States or an entity expressly148
authorized by such sporting events operator to provide such information to licensees for149
purposes of determining the outcome of tier 2 sports wagers on such sporting event.150
(19)  'Official league data' means statistics, results, outcomes, and other data related to151
a sporting event obtained pursuant to an agreement with the relevant professional sports152
governing body whose corporate headquarters is based in the United States or an entity153
expressly authorized by such professional sports governing body to provide such154
information to licensees for purposes of determining the outcome of tier 2 sports wagers.155
(20)  'Online sports betting' means a wager on a sporting event that is placed via the156
internet through any electronic device and accepted through an online sports betting157
platform that is operated by a Type 1 sports betting licensee or such licensee's online158
sports betting services provider.159
(21)  'Online sports betting platform' means the combination of hardware, software, and160
data networks used to manage, administer, or control online sports betting and any161
associated wagers accessible by any electronic means.162
(22)  'Online sports betting services provider' means a person that contracts with the163
master sports betting licensee or a Type 1 sports betting licensee under Code Section164
50-27-133 to operate online sports betting on behalf of such licensee and that is licensed165
by the corporation.166
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(23)  'Over/under bet' means a single wager that predicts whether the combined score of167
the two persons or teams engaged in a sporting event will be lower or higher than a168
predetermined number.169
(24)  'Parlay bet' means a single wager that incorporates two or more individual bets for170
purposes of earning a higher payout if each bet incorporated within the wager wins.171
(25)  'Principal owner' means a person that owns an interest of 10 percent or more of the172
entity.173
(26)  'Professional sporting event' means an athletic or sporting event involving at least174
two competitors who have the opportunity to receive compensation for participating in175
such event.176
(27)  'Professional sports governing body' means the organization, league, or association177
that oversees a sport and prescribes final rules and enforces codes of conduct with respect178
to such sport and participants therein.179
(28)  'Professional sports team' means a major league professional team:180
(A)  Based in this state;181
(B)  That plays baseball, football, men's basketball, soccer, or women's basketball; and182
(C)  Whose regular season games have had the highest attendance for its respective183
sport during the past five years.184
(29)  'Proposition bet' means a wager on a single specific action, statistic, occurrence, or185
nonoccurrence to be determined during a sporting event and includes any such action,186
statistic, occurrence, or nonoccurrence that does not directly affect the final outcome of187
the sporting event to which it relates.188
(30)  'Relative' means a spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, grandfather, grandmother,189
brother, sister, uncle, aunt, cousin, nephew, niece, father-in-law, mother-in-law,190
son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother,191
stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, or half-sister.192
(31)  'Sporting event' means any:193
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(A)  Professional sporting event, including motor sports sanctioned by a national or194
international organization or association;195
(B)  Collegiate sporting event;196
(C)  Olympic sporting or athletic event;197
(D)  Sporting or athletic event sanctioned by a national or international organization or198
association;199
(E)  Sporting or athletic event conducted or organized by a sporting events operator;200
(F)  Esports event; or201
(G)  Other event authorized by the corporation.202
Such term shall not include a nonprofessional or non-Olympic sporting or athletic event203
if the majority of the participants are under the age of 18.204
(32)  'Sporting events operator' means a person that conducts or organizes a sporting205
event for athletes or other participants that is not held or sanctioned as an official sporting206
event of a professional sports governing body.207
(33)  'Sports betting' means online sports betting.208
(34)  'Sports betting equipment' means any of the following that is directly used in209
connection with the operation of sports betting:210
(A)  Any mechanical, electronic, or other device, mechanism, or equipment;211
(B)  Any software, application, components, or other goods; or212
(C)  Anything to be installed or used on a patron's personal electronic device.213
(35)(A)  'Sports betting supplier' means a person that directly provides sports betting214
equipment necessary for the creation of sports betting markets and the determination215
of bet outcomes to any licensee involved in the acceptance of bets, including any of the216
following:217
(i)  Providers of data feeds and odds services;218
(ii)  Internet platform providers;219
(iii)  Risk management providers:220
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(iv)  Integrity monitoring providers; and221
(v) Other providers of sports betting supplier services as determined by the222
corporation.223
(B)  Such term shall not include a professional sports governing body that:224
(i)  Provides official league data concerning its own sporting event to a sports betting225
licensee solely on that basis; or226
(ii)  Provides raw statistical match data to one or more designated and licensed227
suppliers of data feeds and odds services solely on that basis.228
(36)  'Spread' means the predicted scoring differential between two persons or teams229
engaged in a sporting event.230
(37)  'Supervisory employee' means a principal owner or employee having the authority231
to act on behalf of a licensee or whose judgment is relied upon to manage and advance232
the business operations of a licensee.233
(38)  'Tier 1 sports wager' means a sports wager that is determined solely by the final234
score or final outcome of the sporting event and is placed before the sporting event has235
begun.236
(39)  'Tier 2 sports wager' means a wager that is not a tier 1 sports wager.237
(40)  'Type 1 eligible entity' means any of the following:238
(A)  Any professional sports team, or its designee;239
(B)  A professional sports governing body that holds one or more sanctioned annual240
golf tournaments on a national tour of professional golf in this state, and has held one241
or more of the same or different sanctioned annual golf tournaments on a national tour242
of professional golf in this state for at least 30 years;243
(C)  The owner of a facility in this state that has held an annual invitational golf244
tournament for professional and amateur golfers for at least 30 years;245
(D)  The owner of a facility located in this state that hosts automobile races on a246
national association for stock car racing national tour or a wholly owned for-profit247
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subsidiary of the owner of such a facility, if the owner is a nonprofit corporation or248
nonprofit organization;249
(E)  The Georgia Lottery Corporation; and250
(F)  Any entity that directly, or through one of its members or shareholders, has been251
approved in this state by the National Steeplechase Association for at least six months252
prior to the effective date of this article.253
(41)  'Type 1 sports betting licensee' means the master sports betting licensee, an online254
sports betting services provider that contracts with the master sports betting licensee, or255
a Type 1 eligible entity licensed or authorized by the corporation to directly or indirectly256
offer online sports betting.257
(42)  'Wager' or 'bet' means a sum of money that is risked by a bettor on the unknown258
outcome of one or more sporting events.  Such term shall be limited to fixed-odds betting,259
futures bets, a tier 1 or tier 2 sports wager, a money line bet, an over/under bet, a parlay260
bet, a proposition bet, or a bet on the spread.  Such term shall not include a pari-mutuel261
bet or wager or an entry fee paid to participate in a fantasy or simulated contest.262
50-27-123.263
(a)  The corporation shall have all powers and duties necessary to carry out the provisions264
of this article and to exercise the control of the lottery game of sports betting in this state265
as authorized by this article.  Such powers and duties shall include, but shall not be limited266
to, the following:267
(1)  To have jurisdiction, supervision, and regulatory authority over sports betting,268
including, but not limited to, regulation, licensure, and offering of sports betting on269
mobile applications available state wide via the internet and through a limited number of270
licenses to be awarded to Type 1 sports betting licensees;271
(2)  To have jurisdiction and supervision of all persons conducting, participating in, or272
attending any facility with sports betting;273
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(3)  To appoint and employ such persons as the corporation deems essential to perform274
its duties under this article and to ensure that such sports betting is conducted with order275
and the highest integrity.  Such employees shall possess such authority and perform such276
duties as the corporation shall prescribe or delegate to them.  Such employees shall be277
compensated as provided by the corporation;278
(4)  To enter upon, investigate, and have free access to all places of business of any279
licensee under this article and to compel the production of any books, ledgers, documents,280
records, memoranda, or other information of any licensee to ensure such licensee's281
compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the corporation pursuant to this282
article.  Such rules and regulations shall be exempt from the requirements of Chapter 13283
of this title, the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act';284
(5)  To promulgate any rules and regulations as the corporation deems necessary and285
proper to administer the provisions of this article; provided, however, that the initial rules286
and regulations governing sports betting shall be promulgated and adopted by the287
corporation within 90 days of the effective date of this article after an opportunity has288
been provided for public comment.  The promulgation and adoption of such initial rules289
and regulations shall not be subject to Chapter 13 of this title, the 'Georgia Administrative290
Procedure Act';291
(6)  To issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses before the corporation, administer292
oaths, and compel production of records or other documents and testimony of witnesses293
whenever, in the judgment of the corporation, it is necessary to do so for the effectual294
discharge of the duties of the corporation under this article;295
(7)  To compel any person licensed by the corporation to file with the corporation such296
data, documents, and information as shall appear to the corporation to be necessary for297
the performance of the duties of the corporation under this article, including, but not298
limited to, financial statements and information relative to stockholders and all others299
with a pecuniary interest in such person;300
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(8)  To prescribe the manner in which books and records of persons licensed or permitted301
by the corporation under this article shall be kept;302
(9) To enter into arrangements with any foreign or domestic government or303
governmental agency for the purposes of exchanging information or performing any other304
act to better ensure the proper conduct of betting under this article;305
(10)  To order such audits, in addition to those otherwise required by this article, as the306
corporation deems necessary and desirable;307
(11)  Upon the receipt of a complaint of an alleged criminal violation of this article, to308
immediately report such complaint to the appropriate law enforcement agency with309
jurisdiction to investigate criminal activity;310
(12)  To provide for the reporting of the applicable amount of state and federal income311
tax of persons claiming a prize or payoff for a winning wager under this article;312
(13) To establish and administer a program for providing assistance to problem313
gamblers, including, but not limited to, requiring the electronic posting of signs,314
notifications, or other relevant responsible gambling information in a clear and315
conspicuous manner on online sports betting platforms, including a national toll-free316
number that directs callers to an organization that provides assistance to problem317
gamblers;318
(14) To eject or exclude from the sports betting facility or any part thereof any319
individual, whether licensed or not, whose conduct or reputation is such that his or her320
presence may, in the opinion of the corporation or the designated employees of the321
corporation, reflect adversely on the honesty and integrity of the sports betting or322
interfere with the orderly conduct of the lottery game of sports betting;323
(15)  To keep a true and full record of all proceedings of the corporation under this article324
and preserve at the corporation's general office all books, documents, and papers of the325
corporation; and326
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(16)  To adopt rules and regulations specific to the manner in which a licensee may327
advertise its business operations as authorized by this article.328
(b)  The corporation shall not have the power to prescribe a licensee's maximum or329
minimum payout or hold percentage.330
(c)  The corporation shall not have the power to issue or award and shall not issue or award331
any licenses provided for in this article prior to September 1, 2025.332
50-27-124.333
The corporation shall prescribe by rules and regulations:334
(1)  The reserves that must be kept by licensees to comply with subparagraph (c)(6)(A)335
of Code Section 50-27-130 to pay off bettors;336
(2)  Any insurance requirements for a licensee;337
(3)  Minimum requirements by which each licensee shall exercise effective control over338
its internal fiscal affairs, including, without limitation, requirements for:339
(A)  Safeguarding assets and revenues, including evidence of indebtedness;340
(B)  Maintaining reliable records relating to accounts, transactions, profits and losses,341
operations, and events; and342
(C)  Global risk management;343
(4)  Requirements for internal and independent audits of licensees;344
(5)  The manner in which periodic financial reports shall be submitted to the corporation345
from each licensee, including the financial information to be included in the reports;346
(6) The type of information deemed to be confidential financial or proprietary347
information that is not subject to any reporting requirements under this article;348
(7)  Policies, procedures, and processes designed to mitigate the risk of cheating and349
money laundering; and350
(8)  Any post-employment restrictions necessary to maintain the integrity of sports351
betting in this state.352
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Part 2353
50-27-130.354
(a)  Any person offering, operating, or managing sports betting in this state shall be355
licensed by the corporation.356
(b)  The corporation shall issue licenses to qualified applicants able to meet the duties of357
a license holder under this article and that the corporation determines will best satisfy the358
following criteria:359
(1)  Expertise in the business of online sports betting;360
(2)  Integrity, sustainability, and safety of the online sports betting platform;361
(3)  Past relevant experience of the applicant;362
(4)  Advertising and promotional plans to maximize revenue;363
(5)  Demonstrated commitment to and plans for the promotion of responsible gaming;364
and365
(6)  Capacity to rapidly and efficiently bring bettors onto the applicant's platform.366
(c)  An applicant for a license or for the renewal of a license shall submit an application on367
a form in such manner and in accordance with such requirements as may be prescribed by368
the rules and regulations of the corporation.  Such rules and regulations shall require, at a369
minimum, that the application include the following:370
(1)  If the applicant is an entity, identification of the applicant's principal owners, board371
of directors, officers, and supervisory employees;372
(2)  Information, documentation, and assurances as may be required by the corporation373
to establish by clear and convincing evidence the applicant's good character, honesty, and374
integrity, including, but not limited to, information pertaining to family, habits, character,375
reputation, criminal and arrest records, business activities, financial affairs, and business,376
professional, and personal associates, covering at least the ten-year period immediately377
preceding the filing of the application;378
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(3)  Notice and a description of civil judgments obtained against the applicant pertaining379
to antitrust or security regulation laws of the federal government, this state, or any other380
state, jurisdiction, province, or country;381
(4)  To the extent available, letters of reference or the equivalent from law enforcement382
agencies having jurisdiction of the applicant's place of residence and principal place of383
business.  Each such letter of reference shall indicate that the law enforcement agency384
does not have any pertinent information concerning the applicant or, if such law385
enforcement agency does have information pertaining to the applicant, shall provide such386
information, to the extent permitted by law;387
(5)  If the applicant has conducted sports betting operations in another jurisdiction, a388
letter of reference from the regulatory body that governs sports betting that specifies the389
standing of the applicant with such regulatory body; provided, however, that, if no such390
letter is received within 60 days of the request therefor, the applicant may submit a391
statement under oath that the applicant is or was, during the period such activities were392
conducted, in good standing with the regulatory body;393
(6)  Information, documentation, and assurances concerning financial background and394
resources as may be required to establish by clear and convincing evidence the financial395
stability, integrity, and responsibility of the applicant, including, but not limited to, bank396
references, business and personal income and disbursement schedules, tax returns and397
other reports filed with governmental agencies, and business and personal accounting and398
check records and ledgers.  Each applicant shall, in writing, authorize the examination of399
all bank accounts and records as may be deemed necessary by the corporation.  The400
corporation may consider any relevant evidence of financial stability.  The applicant shall401
be presumed to be financially stable if the applicant establishes by clear and convincing402
evidence the ability to:403
(A)  Assure the financial integrity of sports betting operations by the maintenance of404
a reserve of not less than $500,000.00 or the amount required to cover the outstanding405
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liabilities for wagers accepted by the licensee, whichever is greater.  Outstanding406
liabilities for wagers shall mean the sum of the amount paid by patrons for wagers that407
have not yet been determined and the amount owed but unpaid by licensees to patrons408
for wagers whose results have been determined.  The reserve may take the form of a409
bond, an irrevocable letter of credit, payment processor reserves and receivables, cash410
or cash equivalents segregated from operational funds, guaranty letter, or a combination411
thereof.  Such reserve shall be adequate to pay winning wagers to bettors when due. 412
An applicant is presumed to have met this standard if the applicant maintains, on a daily413
basis, a minimum reserve in an amount which is at least equal to the average daily414
minimum reserve, calculated on a monthly basis, for the corresponding month in the415
previous year;416
(B)  Meet ongoing operating expenses which are essential to the maintenance of417
continuous and stable sports betting operations; and418
(C)  Pay, as and when due, all state and federal taxes;419
(7)  Information, documentation, and assurances as may be required to establish by clear420
and convincing evidence that the applicant has sufficient business ability and sports421
betting experience to establish the likelihood of the creation and maintenance of422
successful, efficient sports betting operations in this state;423
(8)  Information, as required by the rules and regulations of the corporation, regarding the424
financial standing of the applicant, including, without limitation, each person or entity425
that has provided loans or financing to the applicant;426
(9)  A nonrefundable application fee and annual licensing fee as follows:427
(A) Applicants for a Type 1 sports betting license shall pay a nonrefundable428
application fee in the amount of $100,000.00 and an annual licensing fee in the amount429
of $1.5 million; provided, however, that, for those licenses referred to in paragraph (3)430
of subsection (b) of Code Section 50-27-133, such annual licensing fee shall instead be431
$750,000.00 and the application fee and annual licensing fee shall be paid by the online432
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sports betting services provider and not by the corporation, which shall not be required433
to pay any such fees;434
(B) Applicants for an online sports betting services provider license shall pay a435
nonrefundable application fee in the amount of $10,000.00 and an annual licensing fee436
of $100,000.00; provided, however, that an online sports betting services provider that437
applies for and obtains one of the licenses referred to in paragraph (3) of subsection (b)438
of Code Section 50-27-133 shall only be required to pay the nonrefundable application439
fee and annual licensing fee applicable to the applicant's Type 1 sports betting license;440
and441
(C) Applicants for a sports betting supplier license shall pay a nonrefundable442
application fee in the amount of $2,000.00 and an annual licensing fee of $20,000.00;443
and444
(10) Any additional information, documents, or assurances required by rules and445
regulations of the corporation.446
(d)  The corporation shall review and approve or deny an application for a license not more447
than 90 days after receipt of an application.448
50-27-131.449
(a)  A licensee may renew its license by submitting an application on a form in such450
manner and in accordance with such requirements as may be prescribed by rules and451
regulations of the corporation.  A licensee shall submit the nonrefundable application fee452
prescribed under paragraph (9) of subsection (c) of Code Section 50-27-130 with its453
application for license renewal.454
(b)  For each application for licensure or renewal of a license approved under this Code455
section, the amount of the application fee shall be credited toward the licensee's annual456
licensing fee and the licensee shall remit the balance of the annual fee to the corporation457
upon approval of a license.458
H. B. 910
- 18 - 25 LC 55 0621
(c)  Each licensee shall have a continuing duty to promptly inform the corporation of any459
change in status relating to any information that may disqualify the licensee from holding460
a license under Code Section 50-27-132.461
(d)  A professional sports governing body may enter into commercial agreements with462
licensees or other entities that provide for such professional sports governing body to share463
in the amounts wagered or revenue derived from wagers on sporting events of such464
professional sports governing body.  A professional sports governing body shall not be465
required to obtain any approval or other form of authorization from the corporation to enter466
into such commercial agreements or to lawfully accept such amounts or revenues.  The467
corporation shall not prescribe any terms or conditions that are required to be included into468
such commercial agreements.469
(e)  A person that holds a license or permit to engage in sports betting issued by another470
jurisdiction may submit a request to the corporation for a temporary license for such person471
to immediately commence engagement in this state in sports betting. Such request shall472
include the annual licensing fee required under paragraph (9) of subsection (c) of Code473
Section 50-27-130.474
(f)  Upon receiving a request for a temporary license, the chief executive officer may475
review the request at his or her discretion.  If the chief executive officer reviews the request476
and determines that the person requesting the temporary license holds a license or permit477
issued by another jurisdiction to engage in sports betting and has paid the required478
licensing fee, the chief executive officer may authorize such person to engage in sports479
betting pursuant to this article under a temporary license for up to one year or until a final480
determination on such person's application is made, whichever is later.481
(g)  All licenses issued under this article shall be valid for a term of five years, unless482
suspended or revoked as provided under this article.483
(h)  The corporation may adopt rules and regulations prescribing the manner in which a484
license may be transferred and a fee for a license transfer.485
H. B. 910
- 19 - 25 LC 55 0621
(i)  A licensee may maintain the bond, letter of credit, or cash reserve at any bank lawfully486
operating in this state and the licensee shall be the beneficiary of any interest accrued487
thereon.488
50-27-132.489
(a)  The following persons shall not be eligible to apply for or obtain a license under this490
article:491
(1)  A member of the board of directors or employee of the corporation or an employee492
of a corporation vendor; provided, however, that a corporation vendor as an entity may493
be eligible to apply for or obtain a license;494
(2)  An employee of a professional sports team on which the applicant offers sports495
betting;496
(3)  A coach of or player for a collegiate, professional, or Olympic sports team or sport497
or an entity that has an affiliation or interest in such a sports team or sport;498
(4)  An individual who is a member or employee of any professional sports governing499
body or sporting events operator;500
(5)  An individual or entity with an owner, officer, or director who has been convicted of501
a crime of moral turpitude or similar degree as specified in rules and regulations502
promulgated by the corporation pursuant to this article;503
(6)  A person having the ability to directly affect the outcome of a sporting event upon504
which the applicant offers sports betting;505
(7)  A trustee or regent of a governing board of a public or private institution of higher506
education;507
(8) An individual prohibited by the rules or regulations of a professional sports508
governing body or sporting events operator of a collegiate sports, team, league, or509
association from participating in sports betting;510
H. B. 910
- 20 - 25 LC 55 0621
(9)  A student or an employee of a public or private institution of higher education who511
has access to material nonpublic information concerning a student athlete or a sports512
team; and513
(10)  Any other category of persons, established by the rules and regulations of the514
corporation, that, if licensed, would negatively affect the integrity of sports betting in this515
state.516
(b)  An individual listed in paragraphs (2) through (10) of subsection (a) of this Code517
section may hold an ownership interest in an applicant or licensee without disqualifying518
the applicant or licensee from obtaining or holding a license; provided, however, that such519
an ownership interest of 25 percent or more shall require approval from the corporation. 520
In determining whether such an ownership interest shall be the basis of disqualification, the521
corporation shall consider whether such interest would negatively affect the integrity of522
sports betting in this state and any other factors the corporation shall deem relevant.523
50-27-133.524
(a)  Except as provided in subsection (h) of this Code section, a Type 1 sports betting525
license authorizes a Type 1 eligible entity, or its designated online sports betting services526
provider, to offer online sports betting.  If a Type 1 eligible entity designates an online527
sports betting services provider, the online sports betting services provider is considered528
the applicant for a Type 1 sports betting license and is considered the Type 1 sports betting529
licensee for all aspects of the regulatory control of the corporation and the operations under530
the Type 1 sports betting license.  The corporation shall establish a procedure for a Type531
1 eligible entity to designate an online sports betting provider.532
(b)  The corporation shall issue not more than 18 Type 1 sports betting licenses to Type 1533
eligible entities or their designated online sports betting services providers in accordance534
with the following:535
H. B. 910
- 21 - 25 LC 55 0621
(1)  Five Type 1 sports betting licenses shall be reserved for the Type 1 eligible entities536
defined in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (40) of Code Section 50-27-122 or their537
designated online sports betting services providers; provided, however, that more than538
one license may be issued to an owner of multiple professional sports teams;539
(2)  One Type 1 sports betting license shall be reserved for each of the Type 1 eligible540
entities defined in subparagraphs (B) through (E) of paragraph (40) of Code Section541
50-27-122 or their designated online sports betting services providers and two Type 1542
sports betting licenses shall be reserved for the Type 1 eligible entities defined in543
subparagraph (F) of paragraph (40) of Code Section 50-27-122 or their designated online544
sports betting services providers; and545
(3)  The corporation shall award contracts to manage the remaining Type 1 sports betting546
licenses to separate online sports betting services providers via a public procurement547
process;548
provided, however, that a master sports betting license shall authorize the corporation549
through a designated online sports betting services provider to offer online sports betting.550
(c)  A Type 1 eligible entity may contract with no more than one online sports betting551
services provider to operate online sports betting on behalf of the Type 1 eligible entity.552
(d)  A Type 1 eligible entity shall provide written notice to the corporation of its intention,553
or its designated sports betting services provider's intention, to apply for a Type 1 sports554
betting license within 60 days of the effective date of this article.  The failure of a Type 1555
eligible entity to provide such written notice shall result in the permanent disqualification556
and prohibition of such Type 1 eligible entity or its designated sports betting services557
provider from obtaining a Type 1 sports betting license.558
(e) A Type 1 sports betting licensee shall not offer online sports betting until the559
corporation has issued a license to at least one online sports betting services provider that560
has been awarded a sports betting license via the public procurement process as determined561
by the corporation.562
H. B. 910
- 22 - 25 LC 55 0621
(f)  All applicants for the 18 Type 1 sports betting licenses under subsection (b) of this563
Code section that have submitted an application within 30 days of the date in which the564
corporation began to accept applications for Type 1 sports betting licenses shall be given565
an equal opportunity to first commence offering, conducting, or operating online sports566
betting in this state on the same day, and in any event not later than January 31, 2026.567
(g)  A Type 1 eligible entity described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (40)568
of Code Section 50-27-122 that becomes a Type 1 sports betting licensee or designates an569
online sports betting services provider shall establish and maintain procedures with respect570
to sporting events which the Type 1 eligible entity participates in or administers to ensure571
avoidance of conflicts of interest in the operation of sports betting in this state.572
(h)  Only a Type 1 sports betting licensee identified in subparagraph (F) of paragraph (40)573
of Code Section 50-27-122, or its designated online sports betting services provider, may574
offer online sports betting that also includes the sporting event of equestrian races on out575
of state tracks or other facilities and only at one facility that is owned and operated by the576
Type 1 sports betting licensee or its affiliate.  Nothing in this article authorizes online577
sports betting on horse or other animal races occurring in this state.  For purposes of this578
subsection, 'affiliate' means a person or entity that directly, or indirectly through one or579
more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with another580
person or entity.581
50-27-134.582
(a)  An online sports betting services provider shall offer online sports betting only in583
accordance with the provisions of this article and the rules and regulations adopted by the584
corporation under this article.585
(b)  An online sports betting services provider shall obtain a license under this article586
before offering online sports betting pursuant to a contract with a Type 1 sports betting587
licensee or master sports betting licensee.  An online sports betting services provider588
H. B. 910
- 23 - 25 LC 55 0621
license shall entitle the holder to contract with no more than one Type 1 sports betting589
licensee.590
(c)  If the holder of a Type 1 sports betting license is a Type 1 eligible entity and is a591
member of a league, association, or organization that prevents the holder from being592
subject to the regulatory control of the corporation or from otherwise operating under the593
license, such a Type 1 eligible entity may contractually appoint an online sports betting594
services provider for all aspects of corporation oversight and operations under the Type 1595
sports betting license.596
(d)  Institutional investors shall be exempt from any and all qualification and disclosure597
requirements under this article or required under the rules and regulations promulgated by598
the corporation pursuant to this article.  Such exemption shall extend to the owners,599
directors, and officers of such institutional investors.600
Part 3601
50-27-150.602
(a)  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, there shall be imposed an annual603
privilege tax of 25 percent of the adjusted gross income derived from online sports betting604
in accordance with this Code section.605
(b)  The privilege tax described in subsection (a) of this Code section shall be paid by the606
online sports betting services provider; provided, however, that, if a Type 1 sports betting607
licensee does not contract with an online sports betting services provider, such privilege608
tax shall be paid by such Type 1 sports betting licensee as provided for in subsection (c)609
of this Code section.  This subsection shall not apply to the master licensee.610
(c)  The privilege tax imposed under this Code section shall be paid monthly by the online611
sports betting services provider based on its monthly adjusted gross income for the612
immediately preceding calendar month.  The privilege tax shall be paid to the corporation613
H. B. 910
- 24 - 25 LC 55 0621
in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the corporation.  If the online614
sports betting services provider's adjusted gross income for a month is a negative number,615
such online sports betting services provider may carry over such negative amount to616
subsequent months.617
(d)  All moneys from privilege taxes and fees collected under this Code section shall be618
distributed and used as provided under Article I, Section II, Paragraph VIII of the619
Constitution of Georgia.620
(e)  With the exemption of licensing fees imposed by paragraph (9) of subsection (c) of621
Code Section 50-27-130, the privilege tax imposed under this Code section is in lieu of all622
other state and local sales and income taxes and fees imposed on the operation of sports623
betting or on the proceeds from the operation of sports betting in this state.624
50-27-151.625
(a)  Each licensee shall report to the corporation, no later than January 15 of each year:626
(1)  The total amount of wagers received from bettors for the immediately preceding627
calendar year;628
(2)  The adjusted gross income of the licensee for the immediately preceding calendar629
year; and630
(3)  Any additional information required by the rules and regulations of the corporation631
deemed in the public interest or necessary to maintain the integrity of sports betting in632
this state.633
(b)  A licensee shall promptly report to the corporation any information relating to:634
(1)  The name of any newly elected officer or director of the board of the licensed entity;635
and636
(2)  The acquisition by any person of 10 percent or more of any class of corporate stock.637
H. B. 910
- 25 - 25 LC 55 0621
(c)  With respect to information reported under subsection (b) of this Code section, a638
licensee shall include with such report a statement of any conflict of interest that may exist639
as a result of such election or acquisition.640
(d) Upon receiving a report under this Code section or subsection (b) of Code641
Section 50-27-191, the corporation may conduct a hearing in accordance with Code Section642
50-27-193 to determine whether the licensee remains in compliance with this article.643
Part 4644
50-27-160.645
(a)  No person shall knowingly:646
(1)  Allow a minor to place a wager;647
(2)  Offer, accept, or extend credit to a bettor in the form of a marker; provided, however,648
that promotions and promotional credits shall be permitted to be offered and extended to649
bettors;650
(3)  Target minors in advertising or promotions for sports betting;651
(4)  Offer or accept a wager on any event, outcome, or occurrence other than a sporting652
event, including, without limitation, a high school sporting event offered, sponsored, or653
played in connection with a public or private institution that offers education at the654
secondary level; or655
(5)  Accept a wager from an individual who is prohibited from placing a wager or bet656
under Code Section 50-27-162, if such person has notice or actual knowledge that such657
individual is prohibited from placing such a wager or bet.658
(b)  A person that knowingly violates this Code section:659
(1)  For a first offense, shall be indefinitely prohibited from placing a wager, be required660
to forfeit the proceeds of any illegal wager, and be guilty of a misdemeanor; and661
H. B. 910
- 26 - 25 LC 55 0621
(2)  For a second or subsequent offense, shall be required to forfeit the proceeds of any662
illegal wager and be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.663
50-27-161.664
Except for those individuals ineligible to place bets under Code Section 50-27-162, an665
individual who is 21 years of age or older and who is physically located in this state may666
place a wager in the manner authorized under this article and the rules and regulations of667
the corporation.668
50-27-162.669
(a)  The following individuals and categories of individuals shall not, directly or indirectly,670
place a wager on sporting events or online sports betting platforms in this state:671
(1)  A member, officer, or employee of the corporation shall not place a wager on any672
sporting event or platform;673
(2)  A corporation vendor employee shall not place a wager on a sporting event using674
their employer's platform;675
(3)  A licensee or principal owner, partner, member of the board of directors, officer, or676
supervisory employee of a licensee shall not place a wager on the licensee's platform;677
(4)  A person that provides goods or services to a licensee or any principal owner, partner,678
member of the board of directors, officer, or supervisory employee of a person that679
provides such goods or services shall not place a wager on the licensee's platform;680
(5)  A contractor, subcontractor, or consultant or any officer or employee of a contractor,681
subcontractor, or consultant of a licensee shall not place a wager on the licensee's682
platform, if such individual is directly involved in the licensee's operation of sports683
betting or the processing of sports betting claims or payments through the licensee's684
platform;685
H. B. 910
- 27 - 25 LC 55 0621
(6)  An individual subject to a contract with the corporation shall not place a wager on686
any platform, if the contract contains a provision prohibiting the individual from687
participating in sports betting;688
(7) An individual with access to material nonpublic information that is known689
exclusively by an individual who is prohibited from placing a wager in this state under690
this Code section shall not use any such information to place a wager on any sporting691
event or platform;692
(8)  An amateur or Olympic athlete shall not place a wager on any sporting event in693
which the athlete participates;694
(9)  A professional athlete shall not place a wager on any sporting event overseen by such695
athlete's professional sports governing body or sporting events operator;696
(10)  An owner or employee of a team, player, umpire, or sports union personnel, or697
employee, referee, coach, or official of a professional sports governing body or sporting698
events operator shall not place a wager on any sporting event, if the wager is based on a699
sporting event overseen by the individual's professional sports governing body or sporting700
events operator;701
(11)  An individual having the ability to directly affect the outcome of a sporting event702
shall not place a wager on such sporting event;703
(12)  A trustee or regent of a governing board of a public or private institution of higher704
education shall not place a wager on a collegiate sporting event;705
(13) An individual prohibited by the rules or regulations of a professional sports706
governing body or sporting events operator of a collegiate sports, team, league, or707
association from participating in sports betting shall not place a wager on any sporting708
event to which such prohibition applies; and709
(14)  A student or an employee of a public or private institution of higher education who710
has access to material nonpublic information concerning a student athlete or a sports team711
H. B. 910
- 28 - 25 LC 55 0621
shall be prohibited from placing a wager on a collegiate sporting event if such712
information is relevant to the outcome of such event.713
(b)  The corporation may prescribe by rules and regulations additional individuals and714
categories of individuals who are prohibited from placing a wager on specified sporting715
events or online sports betting platforms in this state.716
(c)  The corporation shall prescribe by rules and regulations any measures necessary to717
ensure individuals who are prohibited from placing a wager on specified sporting events718
or online sports betting platforms in this state shall not be permitted to collude with719
individuals not specifically enumerated in subsection (a) of this Code section to directly720
affect the outcome of a sporting event.721
(d)  Any individual who places a wager in violation of this Code section:722
(1)  For a first offense, shall be:723
(A)  Indefinitely prohibited from placing a wager;724
(B)  Required to forfeit the proceeds of any illegal wager;725
(C)  Guilty of a misdemeanor; and726
(D)  Fined not less than $500.00 nor more than $1,000.00;727
(2)  For a second offense, shall be:728
(A)  Required to forfeit the proceeds of any illegal wager;729
(B)  Guilty of a misdemeanor; and730
(C)  Fined not less than $5,000.00 or imprisoned for not less than one month nor more731
than five months, or both; and732
(3)  For a third or subsequent offense, shall be:733
(A)  Required to forfeit the proceeds of any illegal wager;734
(B)  Guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature; and735
(C)  Fined not less than $7,500.00 or imprisoned for not less than three months, or both.736
H. B. 910
- 29 - 25 LC 55 0621
50-27-163.737
(a)  The corporation shall by rules and regulations prohibit betting on injuries, penalties,738
the outcome of player discipline rulings or replay reviews, and any other type or form of739
betting under this article that is contrary to public policy or unfair to bettors.740
(b)(1)  A professional sports governing body or sporting events operator may submit to741
the corporation in writing, by providing notice in such form and manner as the742
corporation may require, a request to restrict, limit, or prohibit a certain type, form, or743
category of sports betting with respect to its sporting events, if the professional sports744
governing body or sporting events operator believes that such type, form, or category of745
sports betting with respect to its sporting events may undermine the integrity or perceived746
integrity of such professional sports governing body or sporting events operator or its747
sporting events.  The corporation shall request comments from sports betting licensees748
and sports betting services provider licensees on all such requests it receives.749
(2)  After giving due consideration to all comments received, the corporation shall, upon750
demonstration of good cause from the requestor that such type, form, or category of751
sports betting is likely to undermine the integrity or perceived integrity of such752
professional sports governing body or sporting events operator or its sporting events,753
grant the request.  The corporation shall respond to a request concerning a particular754
sporting event before the start of the event, or if it is not feasible to respond before such755
time, no later than seven days after the request is made.  If the corporation determines that756
the requestor is more likely than not to prevail in successfully demonstrating good cause757
for its request, the corporation may provisionally grant the request of the professional758
sports governing body or sporting events operator until the corporation makes a final759
determination as to whether the requestor has demonstrated good cause.  Absent such a760
provisional grant by the corporation, sports betting licensees may continue to offer sports761
betting on sporting events that are the subject of such a request during the pendency of762
the corporation's consideration of the applicable request.763
H. B. 910
- 30 - 25 LC 55 0621
Part 5764
50-27-170.765
(a)  Prior to placing a wager with a licensee via online sports betting, a bettor shall register766
and establish a player account with the licensee remotely and attest that the bettor meets767
the requirements to place a wager with a licensee in this state.  Prior to verification of a768
bettor's identity in accordance with this Code section, a licensee shall not allow the bettor769
to engage in sports betting, make a deposit, or process a withdrawal via online sports770
betting. A licensee shall implement commercially and technologically reasonable771
procedures to prevent access to sports betting by minors on its online sports betting772
platforms.  A licensee may use information obtained from third parties to verify that an773
individual is authorized to open an account, place wagers, and make deposits and774
withdrawals.775
(b)  Each online sports betting services provider licensee shall adopt a registration policy776
to ensure that all bettors utilizing online sports betting are authorized to place a wager with777
a licensee within this state.  Such policy shall include, without limitation, commercially778
reasonable mechanisms to:779
(1)  Verify the name and age of the registrant;780
(2)  Verify that the registrant is not knowingly prohibited from placing a wager under781
Code Section 50-27-162; and782
(3)  Obtain the following information from the registrant:783
(A)  Legal name;784
(B)  Date of birth;785
(C)  Physical address other than a post office box;786
(D)  Phone number;787
(E)  A unique username; and788
(F)  An active email account.789
H. B. 910
- 31 - 25 LC 55 0621
(c)  Each online sports betting services provider licensee may in its discretion require a790
bettor to provide the licensee with a signed and notarized document attesting that the bettor791
is qualified to engage in sports betting under this article as part of the registration policy792
of the licensee.793
(d)  A bettor shall not register more than one account with a licensee, and each licensee794
shall use commercially and technologically reasonable means to ensure that each bettor is795
limited to one account.796
(e)  Each licensee, in addition to complying with state and federal law pertaining to the797
protection of the private, personal information of registered bettors, shall use all other798
commercially and technologically reasonable means to protect such information consistent799
with industry standards.800
(f)  When a bettor's account is created, a bettor may fund the account through:801
(1)  Electronic bank transfer of funds, including such transfers through third parties;802
(2)  Debit cards;803
(3)  Online and mobile payment systems that support online money transfers; and804
(4)  Any other method approved by the rules and regulations of the corporation.805
(g)(1)  Licensees shall not allow bets to be placed until first verifying the identity of the806
bettor pursuant to this Code section and by the rules promulgated by the corporation. 807
Further, and pursuant to the rules promulgated by the corporation, licensees shall808
establish safeguards, including, but not limited to, access notifications and similar809
security safeguards, to protect each bettor's account.810
(2)  If a licensee determines that the information provided by a bettor to make a deposit811
or process a withdrawal is inaccurate or incapable of verification or violates the policies812
and procedures of the licensee, the licensee shall, within ten days, require the submission813
of additional information that can be used to verify the identity of such bettor.814
(3)  If such information is not provided or does not result in verification of the bettor's815
identity, the licensee shall:816
H. B. 910
- 32 - 25 LC 55 0621
(A)  Immediately suspend the bettor's account and shall not allow the bettor to place817
wagers;818
(B)  Retain any winnings attributable to the bettor;819
(C)  Refund the balance of deposits made to the account to the source of such deposit820
or by issuance of a check; and821
(D)  Suspend the account.822
(h)  A licensee shall utilize geofencing technology to ensure that online sports betting is823
available only to bettors who are physically located in this state.  Servers, including the use824
of backup servers, may be located outside of this state, consistent with federal law.  To the825
extent required by federal law, a licensee shall maintain in this state the servers it uses to826
accept wagers on a sporting event placed by bettors located in this state.827
(i)  Each licensee shall clearly and conspicuously display on its public website a statement828
indicating that it is illegal for a person under 21 years of age to engage in sports betting in829
this state.830
(j)  The corporation shall promulgate rules and regulations for purposes of regulating sports831
betting via online sports betting.832
50-27-171.833
(a)  Licensees shall allow bettors to limit their betting activity with the licensee by, at a834
minimum, giving bettors the opportunity to place limits on the amounts deposited, the835
amounts wagered, and the amount of time spent wagering.  Licensees shall take reasonable836
steps to prevent bettors from overriding their self-imposed responsible gambling limits. 837
At the request of a bettor, a licensee may share the requested limitations with the838
corporation for the sole purpose of disseminating the request to other licensees.839
(b)  The corporation shall promulgate rules and regulations that require a licensee to840
implement responsible sports betting programs that include comprehensive training on841
H. B. 910
- 33 - 25 LC 55 0621
responding to circumstances in which individuals present signs of problem gambling or a842
betting or gambling disorder.843
(c)  The corporation shall work with national and local organizations to provide services844
for individuals with problem gambling or a betting or gambling disorder and to establish845
prevention initiatives to reduce the number of individuals with problem gambling or a846
betting or gambling disorder, including, but not limited to, utilizing currently established847
programs for problem gambling or betting or gambling disorders.848
(d)  All sports betting advertisements shall prominently display messaging designed to849
prevent problem gambling and provide information about how to access resources related850
to problem gambling, including the National Council on Problem Gambling's helpline or851
other similar toll-free helpline.852
(e)  The corporation shall annually generate a report outlining activities with respect to853
problem gambling and betting or gambling disorders, including, but not limited to,854
descriptions of programs, grants, and other resources made available; the number of855
individuals seeking assistance; the number of individuals who reported completing856
programs and therapies; and the rate of recidivism, if known to the corporation.  The857
corporation shall file the annual report with the Governor, the President of the Senate, and858
the Speaker of the House of Representatives and shall publish such report on its public859
website no later than January 30 of each year.860
50-27-172.861
(a)  Each licensee shall adopt and adhere to a written, comprehensive policy outlining its862
rules governing the acceptance of wagers and payouts.  Such policy and rules must be863
approved by the corporation prior to the acceptance of a wager by a licensee.  Such policy864
and rules shall be readily available to a bettor on the licensee's public website.865
(b)  The corporation shall promulgate rules and regulations regarding:866
H. B. 910
- 34 - 25 LC 55 0621
(1)  The manner in which a licensee accepts wagers from and issues payouts to bettors,867
including payouts in excess of $10,000.00; and868
(2)  Requirements for reporting suspicious wagers.869
Part 6870
50-27-180.871
(a)  Licensees shall not be required to use official league data or official event data for872
determining the results of:873
(1)  Tier 1 sports wagers on events of any organization, whether headquartered in the874
United States or elsewhere; or875
(2)  Tier 2 sports wagers on events of organizations that are not headquartered in the876
United States.877
(b)(1)  A professional sports governing body or sporting events operator headquartered878
in the United States may notify the corporation that it desires licensees to use official879
league data or official event data for determining the results of tier 2 sports wagers on its880
sporting events.  A notification under this subsection shall be made in the form and881
manner as the corporation shall require.  The corporation shall notify each licensee within882
five days after receipt of such notification from a professional sports governing body or883
sporting events operator.  If a professional sports governing body or sporting events884
operator does not notify the corporation of its desire to supply official league data or885
official event data, licensees are not required to use official league data or official event886
data for determining the results of any tier 2 wagers on sporting events of that887
professional sports governing body or sporting events operator.888
(2) Within 60 days after the corporation notifies each licensee as provided under889
paragraph (1) of this subsection, or within a longer period as may be agreed between such890
professional sports governing body or sporting events operator and the applicable891
H. B. 910
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licensee, each such licensee shall be required to use only official league data or official892
event data, as applicable, to determine the results of tier 2 sports wagers on sporting893
events sanctioned by such professional sports governing body or sporting events operator,894
except when:895
(A)  The professional sports governing body or sporting events operator, or a designee896
thereof, is unable to provide a feed of official league data or official event data to897
determine the results of a particular type of tier 2 sports wager, in which case licensees898
may use any data source for determining the results of the applicable tier 2 sports wager899
until the data feed becomes available on commercially reasonable terms and conditions;900
or901
(B)  A licensee is able to demonstrate to the corporation that the professional sports902
governing body or sporting events operator, or a designee thereof, will not provide a903
feed of official league data or official event data to the licensee on commercially904
reasonable terms and conditions.905
(3)  The following is a nonexclusive list of factors the corporation may consider in906
evaluating whether official league data or official event data is being offered on907
commercially reasonable terms and conditions for purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B)908
of paragraph (2) of this subsection:909
(A)  The availability of tier 2 official league data of a professional sports governing910
body or tier 2 official event data of a sporting events operator to a licensee from more911
than one authorized source;912
(B)  Market information, including, without limitation, price and other terms and913
conditions, regarding the purchase of comparable data by licensees for the purpose of914
settling sports wagers, for use in this state or other jurisdictions;915
(C)  The nature and quantity of the official league data or official event data, including,916
without limitation, its speed, accuracy, reliability, and overall quality as compared to917
comparable nonofficial data;918
H. B. 910
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(D)  The quality and complexity of the process used to collect and distribute the official919
league data or official event data as compared to comparable nonofficial data;920
(E)  The extent to which professional sports governing bodies or sporting events921
operators, or designees thereof, have made available to licensees the data used to settle922
the results of tier 2 sports wagers and any terms and conditions relating to the use of923
such data; and924
(F)  The extent to which licensees have purchased the same or similar official league925
data or official event data on the same or similar terms, particularly in jurisdictions926
where such purchase was not required by law or was required by law but only if offered927
on commercially reasonable terms.928
(4)  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Code section, including,929
without limitation, paragraph (2) of this subsection, while the corporation is evaluating930
whether a professional sports governing body or a sporting events operator, or the931
designee thereof, will provide a feed of official league data or official event data on932
commercially reasonable terms and conditions pursuant to paragraph (3) of this933
subsection, licensees are not required to use official league data or official event data for934
determining the results of tier 2 sports wagers.935
(5)  The corporation shall make a determination under paragraph (3) of this subsection936
within 60 days after the licensee notifies the corporation that it desires to demonstrate that937
the professional sports governing body or sporting events operator, or a designee thereof,938
will not provide a feed of official league data or official event data to such licensee on939
commercially reasonable terms and conditions.940
H. B. 910
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Part 7941
50-27-190.942
Members of the corporation or designated employees thereof may, during normal business943
hours, enter the premises of any facility of a licensee, or a third party utilized by the944
licensee to operate and conduct business in accordance with this article, for the purpose of945
inspecting books and records kept as required by this article to ensure that the licensee is946
in compliance with this article or to make any other inspection of the premises necessary947
to protect the public interests of this state and its consumers.948
50-27-191.949
(a)  The corporation, licensees, corporation vendors, and vendors shall use commercially950
reasonable efforts to cooperate with investigations conducted by any professional sports951
governing body, any sporting events operator, and law enforcement agencies, including,952
but not limited to, using commercially reasonable efforts to provide or facilitate the953
provision of betting information.954
(b)  Licensees shall promptly report to the corporation any information relating to:955
(1)  Abnormal betting activity or patterns that may indicate a concern with the integrity956
of a sporting event; and957
(2)  Conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of a sporting event for purposes of958
financial gain, including match fixing.959
(c)  Licensees shall, as soon as is practicable, report any information relating to conduct960
described in subsection (b) of this Code section to the professional sports governing body961
or sporting events operator.962
(d)  Licensees shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain, in real time and at the963
account level, anonymized information regarding a bettor; the amount and type of bet; the964
time the bet was placed; the location of the bet, including the internet protocol address if965
H. B. 910
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applicable; the outcome of the bet; and records of abnormal betting activity for three years966
after the sporting event occurs.  The corporation may request such information in the form967
and manner required by the rules and regulations of the corporation.  As used in this968
subsection, the term 'real time' means on a commercially reasonable periodic interval.969
(e)  All records, documents, and information received by the corporation pursuant to this970
Code section shall be considered investigative records of a law enforcement agency, shall971
not be subject to Article 4 of Chapter 18 of this title, and shall not be released under any972
condition without the permission of the person providing such records, documents, or973
information.974
(f)  Nothing in this Code section shall require a sports betting licensee to provide any975
information that is prohibited by federal, state, or local laws or rules and regulations,976
including, without limitation, laws and rules and regulations relating to privacy and977
personally identifiable information.978
(g)  If a professional sports governing body or sporting events operator has notified the979
corporation that access to the information described in subsection (d) of this Code section980
for wagers placed on its sporting events is necessary to monitor the integrity of its sporting981
events and represents to the corporation that it specifically uses such data for the purpose982
of monitoring the integrity of sporting events of such professional sports governing body983
or sporting events operator, then licensees shall share, in a commercially reasonable984
frequency, form, and manner, with the professional sports governing body or sporting985
events operator, or a designee thereof, the same information the licensee is required to986
maintain under subsection (d) of this Code section with respect to sports wagers on such987
a body's or operator's sporting events.  A professional sports governing body or sporting988
events operator, or a designee thereof, shall use information received under this subsection989
for integrity-monitoring purposes only and shall not use such information for commercial990
or any other purposes.  Nothing in this subsection shall require a licensee to provide any991
information that is prohibited by federal, state, or local laws, rules, or regulations,992
H. B. 910
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including, but not limited to, laws, rules, or regulations relating to privacy and personally993
identifiable information.994
50-27-192.995
The corporation shall assist in any investigations by law enforcement to determine whether:996
(1)  A licensee is accepting wagers from minors or other persons ineligible to place997
wagers under Code Section 50-27-162; and998
(2)  An individual is unlawfully accepting wagers from another individual without a999
license or at a location in violation of this article.1000
50-27-193.1001
(a)  The corporation may investigate and conduct a hearing with respect to a licensee upon1002
information and belief that the licensee has violated the provisions of this article or upon1003
the receipt of a credible complaint from any person that a licensee has violated the1004
provisions of this article.  The corporation shall conduct investigations and hearings in1005
accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the corporation.1006
(b)  If the corporation determines that a licensee has violated any provision of this article1007
or any rules and regulations of the corporation, the corporation may suspend, revoke, or1008
refuse to renew a license; impose an administrative fine not to exceed $25,000.00 per1009
violation; or both.1010
(c)  The corporation shall promulgate rules and regulations establishing a schedule of1011
administrative fines that may be assessed in accordance with subsection (b) of this Code1012
section for each violation of this article; provided, however, if the corporation finds that:1013
(1)  A licensee is accepting wagers from minors or other persons ineligible to place1014
wagers in this state, the corporation shall impose a fine against the licensee as follows:1015
(A)  For a first offense, $1,000.00;1016
(B)  For a second offense, $2,000.00; and1017
H. B. 910
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(C)  For a third or subsequent offense, $5,000.00; or1018
(2)  An individual is unlawfully accepting wagers from another individual without a1019
license, the corporation shall impose a fine against the individual as follows:1020
(A)  For a first offense, $10,000.00;1021
(B)  For a second offense, $15,000.00; and1022
(C)  For a third or subsequent offense, $25,000.00.1023
(d)  The corporation may refer conduct that it reasonably believes is a violation of Article 21024
of Chapter 12 of Title 16 to the appropriate law enforcement agency.1025
50-27-194.1026
(a)  Any person that violates any provision of this article shall be liable for a civil penalty1027
of not more than $5,000.00 per violation, not to exceed $50,000.00 for violations arising1028
out of the same transaction or occurrence, which shall accrue to the corporation and may1029
be recovered in a civil action brought by or on behalf of the corporation.1030
(b)  The corporation may seek and obtain an injunction in a court of competent jurisdiction1031
for purposes of enforcing this article.1032
(c)  Costs shall not be taxed against the corporation or this state for actions brought under1033
this article.1034
50-27-195.1035
(a)  Fines assessed under this article shall be accounted for separately for use by the1036
corporation in a manner consistent with the rules and regulations of the corporation.1037
(b)  The corporation may issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the1038
production of relevant books, accounts, records, and documents for purposes of carrying1039
out its duties under this article.1040
H. B. 910
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50-27-196.1041
(a)  A licensee or other individual aggrieved by a final decision or action of the corporation1042
may appeal such decision or action to the Superior Court of Fulton County.1043
(b)  The Superior Court of Fulton County shall hear appeals from decisions or actions of1044
the corporation and, based upon the record of the proceedings before the corporation, may1045
reverse the decision or action of the corporation only if the appellant proves the decision1046
or action to be:1047
(1)  Clearly erroneous;1048
(2)  Arbitrary and capricious;1049
(3)  Procured by fraud;1050
(4)  A result of substantial misconduct by the corporation; or1051
(5)  Contrary to the United States Constitution, the Constitution of Georgia, or this article.1052
(c)  The Superior Court of Fulton County may remand an appeal to the corporation to1053
conduct further hearings.1054
50-27-197.1055
(a)  It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, to knowingly receive, supply,1056
broadcast, display, or otherwise transmit material nonpublic information for the purpose1057
of betting on a sporting event or influencing another individual's or entity's wager on a1058
sporting event.1059
(b)  This Code section shall not apply to the dissemination of public information as news,1060
entertainment, or advertising.1061
(c)  Any person in violation of this Code section shall be indefinitely prohibited from1062
placing a wager, be required to forfeit the proceeds of any illegal wager, and be guilty of1063
a misdemeanor."1064
H. B. 910
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PART III
1065
SECTION 3-1.1066
Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,1067
relating to gambling, is amended by revising paragraphs (1) and (2) of Code Section1068
16-12-20, relating to definitions, as follows:1069
"(1)  'Bet' means an agreement that, dependent upon chance even though accompanied1070
by some skill, one stands to win or lose something of value.  A bet does not include:1071
(A)  Contracts of indemnity or guaranty or life, health, property, or accident insurance;1072
or
1073
(B)  An offer of a prize, award, or compensation to the actual contestants in any bona1074
fide contest for the determination of skill, speed, strength, or endurance or to the owners1075
of animals, vehicles, watercraft, or aircraft entered in such contest; or1076
(C)  Money paid in compliance with Chapter 27 of Title 50.1077
(2)  'Gambling device' means:1078
(A)  Any contrivance which for a consideration affords the player an opportunity to1079
obtain money or other thing of value, the award of which is determined by chance even1080
though accompanied by some skill, whether or not the prize is automatically paid by1081
contrivance;1082
(B)  Any slot machine or any simulation or variation thereof;1083
(C)  Any matchup or lineup game machine or device, operated for any consideration,1084
in which two or more numerals, symbols, letters, or icons align in a winning1085
combination on one or more lines vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or otherwise,1086
without assistance by the player.  Use of skill stops shall not be considered assistance1087
by the player; or1088
(D)  Any video game machine or device, operated for any consideration, for the play1089
of poker, blackjack, any other card game, or keno or any simulation or variation of any1090
H. B. 910
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of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, any game in which numerals, numbers,
1091
or any pictures, representations, or symbols are used as an equivalent or substitute for1092
cards in the conduct of such game.1093
Any item described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of
 this paragraph that is not1094
authorized by Chapter 27 of Title 50, or exempted by this part, shall be a prohibited1095
gambling device subject to and prohibited by this part, notwithstanding any inference to1096
the contrary in any other law of this state."1097
SECTION 3-2.1098
Said part is further amended by revising Code Section 16-12-27, relating to advertisement1099
or solicitation for participation in lotteries, as follows:1100
"16-12-27.1101
(a)  It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, firm, corporation, or other entity to1102
sell, distribute, televise, broadcast, or disseminate any advertisement, television or radio1103
commercial, or any book, magazine, periodical, newspaper, or other written or printed1104
matter containing an advertisement or solicitation for participation in any lottery declared1105
to be unlawful by the laws of this state unless such advertisement, commercial, or1106
solicitation contains or includes the words 'void in Georgia' printed or spoken so as to be1107
clearly legible or audible to persons viewing or hearing such advertisement, commercial,1108
or solicitation.1109
(b)  Any person, partnership, firm, corporation, or other entity violating subsection (a) of1110
this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.1111
(c)  This Code section shall not apply to any advertisement or solicitation for participation1112
in a lottery game of online sports betting by any person licensed under Article 4 of Chapter1113
27 of Title 50 that concerns such licensee's lawful activities."1114
H. B. 910
- 44 - 25 LC 55 0621
SECTION 3-3.
1115
Said part is further amended by revising Code Section 16-12-28, relating to communicating1116
gambling information, as follows:1117
"16-12-28.1118
(a)  A person who knowingly communicates information as to bets, betting odds, or1119
changes in betting odds or who knowingly installs or maintains equipment for the1120
transmission or receipt of such information with the intent to further gambling commits the1121
offense of communicating gambling information.1122
(b)  A person who commits the offense of communicating gambling information, upon1123
conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than1124
five years or by a fine not to exceed $5,000.00, or both.1125
(c)  This Code section shall not apply to the activities authorized under Article 4 of Chapter
1126
27 of Title 50."1127
PART IV1128
SECTION 4-1.1129
Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to revenue and taxation, is1130
amended by revising paragraph (55) of Code Section 48-8-3, relating to exemptions from1131
state sales and use tax, as follows:1132
"(55) The sale of lottery tickets authorized by Chapter 27 of Title 50 or wagers1133
authorized by Article 4 of Chapter 27 of Title 50;"1134
H. B. 910
- 45 - 25 LC 55 0621
PART V
1135
SECTION 5-1.1136
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law1137
without such approval.1138
SECTION 5-2.1139
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.1140
H. B. 910
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