Georgia Online Sports Betting: Which Mobile Sportsbook Apps Can We Expect?

Photo credit: Craig Dudek

Georgia online sports betting is not yet legal; however, there’s room for optimism that an eventual launch isn’t years away. Elected officials have begun to lay the groundwork for the eventual legalization of sports betting.

Senate Resolution 135 and Senate Bill 142 have already made their way through the state’s Senate. However, both were withdrawn in the House with the intention to reevaluate both in the next legislative year. Based on the slow legislative process, it appears prospective bettors in the Peach State will have to wait until 2022 at the earliest.

Here’s what you’ll need to know about Georgia online sports betting before it launches. Unfortunately, the chance that it launches relatively soon came to a crashing halt once the state legislature ended its session in April 2022. But that does not mean legal online sports betting in Georgia is dead.

Note: The following on-page promos are expected to be available once online sports betting launches in the Peach State.

Best Georgia Sports Betting Apps

Here is our ranking of the best online sports betting apps we anticipate launching in Georgia as soon as 2022:

1. DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings Sportsbook is widely considered to be one of the leaders in the legal online sports betting industry. They have done an exceptional job of building upon the name recognition and infrastructure established over the years as a daily fantasy sports giant en route to creating arguably the best online sportsbook in the US. Their advertising across a number of mediums has been far-reaching and as prevalent as any of their competitors.

Early 2020 Q4 revenue numbers indicated that DraftKings Sportsbook was the leader in five of twelve states with legal online sports betting, including Indiana, Colorado, West Virginia, Oregon, and New Hampshire. As such, we expect DraftKings Sportsbook to be one of the leaders in the sports betting space when Georgia legalizes online sports betting.

2. Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars Sportsbook is one of Saturday Down South’s preferred sports betting apps. Since Caesars Entertainment’s purchase of William Hill, Caesars Sportsbook has emerged as one of the powerhouse sportsbook brands in the industry.

We cannot say enough good things about the company. From its state-of-the-art mobile app to the mouthwatering new-user promos, Caesars Sportsbook is doing tremendous things and should be expected in Georgia when the state finally launches online sports betting.

3. FanDuel Sportsbook

The folks at FanDuel Sportsbook have leveraged their daily fantasy sports model into cultivating one of the most loyal followings in that market and growing their interest in online sports betting. FanDuel Sportsbook’s incredibly sleek, streamlined user interface is what makes their sportsbook app stand out from the competition.

It’s why FanDuel Sportsbook is one of Saturday Down South’s preferred operators of choice.

FanDuel Sportsbook has established itself as a real contender on the East Coast, pulling in strong revenue numbers in October 2020 that saw them outdo DraftKings in overall handle $185m to $123.4m. If they’re able to build on that type of showing with a strong launch in the Peach State, FanDuel Sportsbook could be the best online sportsbook to launch in Georgia.

3. BetMGM

The team behind BetMGM has maximized the value of their forward-facing spokesman Jamie Foxx in TV commercials, online ads, and radio spots in states where the sportsbook is available. Pairing one of the most recognizable celebrities in the country with one of the most widely-recognized casino brands gives BetMGM instant legitimacy when they launch in new markets. Additionally, BetMGM’s promos and odds boosts are some of the best in the business, setting them apart from the rest of the pack.

This has all paid dividends as BetMGM pulled in the third-highest handle in Indiana in October 2020. BetMGM and FanDuel have been operating under the same license with The Greenbrier in West Virginia, which has been a fruitful venture. In fact, the sportsbooks’ combined online handle has outearned that of DraftKings Sportsbook’s online handle in West Virginia.

4. BetRivers

If there is a sports betting app that has rebounded well from some initial struggles, it’s BetRivers. Despite rolling out a glitchy app in the Northeast at the onset, BetRivers has made some much-needed user interface adjustments over the past year.

The BetRivers’ $250 deposit match bonus has arguably the least-restrictive terms for withdrawing the deposit match money. In fact, BetRivers requires just a one-time play-through in order for the bonus money to be withdrawn, which is far more straightforward than that of some of their competitors.

5. FOX Bet

FOX Bet has been on the rise due in large part to their wide variety of odds boosts and custom bets. Many of FOX Bet’s most highly promoted boosts are attached to the personalities found on FOX Sports, including radio hosts such as Colin Cowherd.

FOX Bet’s player-specific, team-specific, and team-and-player parlay prop bets are some of the best in the industry, often providing the opportunity to double or triple a bettor’s initial wager.

6. Barstool Sportsbook

Perhaps the fastest riser in the industry, Barstool Sportsbook has a passionate following across the nation that’s immediately embraced their app from the get-go. Like FOX Bet, Barstool Sportsbook has done an exceptional job of integrating their in-house personalities into the marketing of their sportsbook app in the markets it’s available.

At the same time, Barstool Sportsbook has maximized their relationship with Penn National Gaming, whose market knowledge and organizational infrastructure has provided invaluable assistance in bringing instant legitimacy to the product. Barstool Sportsbook isn’t quite at the same level as DraftKings Sportsbook or FanDuel Sportsbook, but it’s gaining ground and has a loyal fan base that will sign up at the first chance to do so.

GA Sports Betting Promos

Bettors in Georgia might have to wait until 2022 for online sports betting to be legalized, but that doesn’t have to stop the betting public from looking forward to the promos that could be put out by numerous sportsbooks. In that vein, the previous launch history the various sportsbooks should give an indication of which promos could be available at launch in the Peach State:

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Do Other States Have Legal Online Sports Betting?

Yes, the list of states with legal online sports betting continues to grow. While sports betting still isn’t legal in Georgia, there are a number of states on the East Coast that have already passed legislation, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia.

For more information on legal online sports betting in other states, choose from our detailed guides:

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• West Virginia

How to Sign Up for Online Sports Betting Apps in Georgia

Online sports betting could launch officially in Georgia as early as 2022. It’s important to know what information will be required in order to sign up and register for an online sportsbook app. As outlined in Senate Bill 142, any prospective bettor attempting to place a wager via an online sports betting app must be 21 years of age or older and be physically located within the state of Georgia. SB 142 also requires registrants to provide:

• Legal name
• Date of birth
• Physical address other than a post office box
• Phone number
• A unique username
• An active email account

How to Bet on Sports in Georgia

Online sports betting isn’t expected to go live in Georgia until some point in 2022 at the earliest. Despite the indefinite wait, prospective bettors in Georgia can likely look forward to placing bets on sports online via any number of sportsbook apps, as well as in-person at brick-and-mortar locations throughout the Peach State. As outline in Senate Bill 142, prospective bettors would need to be at least 21 years of age and be physically located within the Georgia state limits in order to place legal sports wagers.

Deposit Methods

Once online sportsbooks go live in Georgia, it’s expected that the various methods offered to place deposits on sportsbook apps in other states will be available, including:

• Online banking
• Wire transfer
• PayPal
• Credit or debit card
• Prepaid cards
• Cash at Cage

Of all the aforementioned deposit methods, many consider depositing funds via online banking to be the safest, fastest, and easiest option.

Types of Bets

Prospective bettors in Georgia should expect a wide variety of wager types when sports betting goes live, including:

• Moneyline: bets based on which team will win the game at odds the sportsbook has established
• Over/Under: bettors decide whether the total points scored will go over-under the established total
• Point spread: bets based on the scoring differential between the teams
• Parlays: multiple-leg bets across multiple games that  require all portions to hit in order for the bet to payout
• Teasers: bets that allow bettors to move the points line in multiple games that increases the likelihood of the bet converting
• Props: player-, team-, or game-based bets that can include races to a set score, quarter/half outcomes, or counting stats for individual players
• In-game betting: bets that become available following the start of the game, including possession, scoring, and game events
• Futures: bets that are based on the eventual winner of a league, conference, division, or player award

Sports Expected to  be Available to Bet On

Georgia online sports betting are expected to include game bets in a number of sports taking place in domestic leagues and international leagues alike.

Georgia Online Sports Betting History

SR 135 and SB 142 Timeline

• February 9, 2021: SB 142 added to Senate Hopper
• February 10, 2021: SB 142 read and referred by Senate
• February 19, 2021: SR 135 added to Senate Hopper
• February 22, 2021: SR 135 read and referred by Senate
• February 26, 2021: SB 142 and SR 135 favorably reported  by substitute in Senate Committee
• March 1, 2021: SB 142 and SR 135 read second time by Senate
• March 5, 2021: SB 142 and SR 135 tabled by Senate, taken from Table, read third time, passed/adopted by substitute by Senate
• March 8, 2021: SB 142 and SR 135 first read by House
• March 9, 2021: SB 142 and SR 135 second read by House
• March 23, 2021: SB 142 and SR 135 favorably reported by substitute in House Committee
• March 25, 2021: SB 142 and SR 135 withdrawn and recommitted by House
• March 31, 2021: SB 142 and SR 135 withdrawn and recommitted by House
• April 4, 2022: The chances Georgia online sports betting launches in 2022 die once the state legislature ends its session

What’s in Senate Bill 142?

Senate Bill 142 is a bill written to amend Chapter 27 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. This would effectively give oversight of sports betting to the Georgia Lottery Corporation and its board of directors. Additionally, SB 142 would amend Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, which would most notably exempt wagers placed as part of the lottery game of sports wagering from sales and use taxes.

What is Senate Resolution 135?

Senate Resolution 135 is a proposal to amend the state’s constitution to allow for sports betting in the state. It also outlines where the revenue generated from sports betting would go, with at least 50% going to need-based scholarships, loans or grants to citizens attending University Systems of Georgia, branches of the Technical College System of Georgia, or any eligible private colleges and universities.

What issues stand in the way of SB 142 and SR 135?

Simply put, the legislature ran out of time. SB 142 was passed by the Senate by a 34-17 vote, while SR 135 passed in a 41-10 bipartisan vote. However, things stalled when the proposals reached the House. The House ultimately adjourned sine die, which effectively ended the legislative session for 2021. It doesn’t mean the proposals are dead and buried, per se, however it does stall things until 2022 at the earliest.

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Kyle Scott

Kyle Scott is the founder and editor of CrossingBroad.com and serves as the lead online gambling writer for CBWG Media Group, which owns and partners with several popular sports websites. He breaks down game betting previews and provides commentary on the legal online sportsbooks.