Horse Betting in Georgia
Yes, there is some horse racing in Georgia, but it is very limited and does not involve any betting. The Georgia Horse Racing Coalition, a group of horse owners, breeders, and enthusiasts, organizes occasional races at various locations across the state. The coalition also advocates for legalizing horse betting and building new racetracks in Georgia.
According to a study commissioned by the coalition, a racetrack in Georgia could create thousands of jobs and generate more than $3.2 billion in economic impact in its first year. The coalition also argues that legalizing horse betting would benefit the state’s agricultural industry and preserve its equine heritage. Also, allowing people to open a racebook can bring many benefits to the state.
If you are a fan of horse racing and live in Georgia, you might be wondering if you can legally bet on horse races in the Peach State. The answer is no, at least not for now.
Georgia has a long history of prohibiting most forms of gambling, including pari-mutuel wagering on horse races. However, there are some recent developments that could change the situation in the future. Here is what you need to know about horse betting in Georgia.
Georgia’s constitution bans most forms of gambling, including casinos, private lotteries, and pari-mutuel wagering. The only exceptions are the state-run lottery and charitable bingo games. The constitution was amended in 1992 to allow the lottery, but it explicitly excluded pari-mutuel betting from its definition of lottery games.
What You Need to Know about Horse Betting in the State of Georgia
Pari-mutuel wagering is a system of betting on horse races or other events where the winners share the total amount wagered in a pool, minus a percentage taken by the operator or the state. The odds of winning depend on how much money is bet on each outcome, not on a fixed payout. Pari-mutuel wagering is the most common form of horse betting in the US and many other countries.
The ban on pari-mutuel wagering dates back to 1935, when the Georgia House passed a bill to legalize it but reversed it the next day. Some speculate that the influence of golf legend Bobby Jones, who founded the Masters Tournament in Augusta, played a role in stopping the bill. Jones was reportedly concerned that gambling could tarnish the reputation of his new golf event.
The chances of legalizing horse betting in Georgia are not very high at the moment, but they are not zero either. In recent years, some lawmakers have expressed interest in introducing legislation to authorize online racebook platform operations and pari-mutuel wagering in Georgia. However, they have faced opposition from anti-gambling groups and other lawmakers who believe that such a move would require a constitutional amendment and a public referendum.
In 2023, a bill was introduced in the Senate to allow online sports betting and self-serve kiosks for horse betting at businesses with liquor licenses. The bill would have created a new commission under the Georgia Lottery to oversee and regulate sports and horse wagering. However, the bill died in the Senate without getting a vote.
Closest Option to Bet on Horses in Georgia
Murphy Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel
A large casino and sports-betting facility, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel is located not far from Murphy, North Carolina. The addition of horse betting windows and kiosks has massively expanded the casino’s floor space.
Address: 777 Casino Parkway – 28906 Murphy, NC
Telephone: 1 828-422-7777
Cherokee Harrah’s Casino & Resort in North Carolina
Harrah’s Casino and Resort is near the Nantahala National Forest and the Eastern Cherokee Indian Reservation. The trip takes around three hours from Atlanta by car. It is more than just a standard racebook.
Address: 777 Casino Dr, Cherokee, NC 28719
Telephone: (828) 497-7777
Responsible Horse Betting in Georgia
Even though millions of people are able to gamble without any problems, it is still possible to become fall prey to it. Gambling Addiction is real and can ruin lives, families, friends and communities. Some of the signs of a gambling addiction includes:
- Concealing gambling or lying about it to others.
- Losing more then you can afford to lose
- Trying to control, cut back or stop gambling, without success.
- Feeling guilty about gambling
- Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut down on gambling.
If you feel like you may have an addiction sports betting, casino games or any type of gambling, please seek help. The Georgia Council on Problem Gambling (800-522-4700) is available 24/7 and is 100% confidential. Furthermore, this hotline connects callers to local health and government organizations that can assist with their gambling addiction.