Georgia General Assembly · Full text

HB 910: Georgia Lottery Game of Sports Betting Act; enact

Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action January 12, 2026 · Introduced

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House Bill 910

By: Representative Hatchett of the 155th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To amend Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government, so as to authorize and provide for the regulation and taxation of sports betting in this state; to provide for additional powers and duties of the Georgia Lottery Corporation; to provide for the corporation to engage in certain activities related to sports betting; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to revise and provide for definitions; to provide for the corporation's powers and duties relative to sports betting; to provide for the procedures, limitations, requirements, and qualifications of the licensing of any person offering, operating, or managing sports betting in this state; to provide for rules and regulations promulgated by the corporation; to provide for a privilege tax; to require certain reports; to regulate wagers and provide requirements for bettors; to provide for bettors to restrict themselves from placing certain wagers; to provide certain resources for individuals with problem gambling or a betting or gambling disorder; to provide for the collection and disposition of fees and fines; to prohibit certain conduct by the corporation, employees of the corporation, licensees, and other persons; to provide for certain penalties; to provide for construction; to amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to gambling, so as to exclude any consideration paid to a sports betting licensee from the definition of "bet"; to provide for the exemption of persons licensed for online sports betting from regulations and restrictions regarding gambling information; to amend Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to revenue and taxation, so as to exempt wagers placed as part of sports betting; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

PART I

SECTION 1-1.

Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government, is amended in Code Section 50-27-3, relating to definitions for the "Georgia Lottery for Education Act," by revising paragraphs (13) and (20) and adding a new paragraph to read as follows: "(13) 'Lottery,' 'lotteries,' 'lottery game,' or 'lottery games' means any game of chance approved by the board and operated pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, instant tickets, ~~on-line~~ online games, online sports betting, and games using mechanical or electronic devices but excluding pari-mutuel betting and casino gambling as defined in this Code section."

"(20) 'Pari-mutuel betting' means a method or system of wagering on actual races involving horses or dogs at tracks which involves the distribution of winnings by pools. Such term shall not mean lottery games which may be predicated on a horse racing or dog racing scheme that does not involve actual track events. Such term shall not mean the lottery game of sports betting or traditional lottery games which may involve the distribution of winnings by pools."

"(23.1) 'Sports betting' shall have the same meaning as provided in Code Section

50-27-122."

SECTION 1-2.

Said title is further amended in Code Section 50-27-9, relating to general powers of the Georgia Lottery Corporation, by revising paragraphs (18) and (19) of subsection (a) and adding a new paragraph to read as follows:

"(18) To act as a retailer, to conduct promotions which involve the dispensing of lottery tickets or shares, and to establish and operate a sales facility to sell lottery tickets or shares and any related merchandise; ~~and~~

(19) To perform any actions and carry out any responsibilities provided for in Article 4 of this chapter; and

~~(19)(20)~~ To adopt and amend such regulations, policies, and procedures as necessary to carry out and implement its powers and duties, organize and operate the corporation, regulate the conduct of lottery games in general, and any other matters necessary or desirable for the efficient and effective operation of the lottery or the convenience of the public. The promulgation of any such regulations, policies, and procedures pursuant to this article and Article 2 of this chapter shall be exempt from the requirements of Chapter 13 of this title, the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.' Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, hearings related to any dispute between licensees under Code Section 50-27-102 shall be held in accordance with the provisions of Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 9 of Title 9, the 'Georgia Arbitration Code.' All other hearings and any rules, regulations, policies, or procedures related to the administration, enforcement, or violation of this article shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 13 of this title."

PART II

SECTION 2-1.

Said title is further amended by adding a new article to Chapter 27, relating to the "Georgia Lottery for Education Act," to read as follows:

"ARTICLE 4

Part 1

50-27-120.

This article shall be known and may be cited as the 'Georgia Lottery Game of Sports Betting Act.'

50-27-121.

The General Assembly finds that:

(1) Article I, Section II, Paragraph VIII(c) of the Constitution of the State of Georgia authorizes the General Assembly to provide by law for any matters relating to purposes or provisions of that subparagraph, which purposes and provisions include the operation and regulation of a lottery or lotteries and which purposes and provisions may encompass sports betting as a game or games offered by the Georgia Lottery Corporation;

(2) Sports betting shall be overseen and regulated, and may also be offered, by the Georgia Lottery Corporation in a manner that provides continuing entertainment to the public, maximizes revenues, and ensures that sports betting is operated in this state with integrity and dignity and free of political influence;

(3) The corporation shall be accountable to the General Assembly and to the public for the management and oversight of sports betting in this state through a system of audits and reports;

(4) The ability to offer sports betting in this state under a license issued in accordance with this article constitutes a taxable privilege and not a right;

(5) Net proceeds of sports betting conducted pursuant to this article shall be used for the purposes authorized by Article I, Section II, Paragraph VIII of the Constitution of Georgia; and

(6) In accordance with Code Section 50-27-2, sports betting shall be conducted in a manner so as to safeguard the fiscal soundness of the state, to enhance public welfare, and to support the funding authorized by Article I, Section II, Paragraph VIII of the Constitution of Georgia.

50-27-122.

As used in this article, the term:

(1) 'Adjusted gross income' means the total of all moneys paid to a licensee as bets minus federal excise taxes and minus the total amount paid out to winning bettors, including the cash value of merchandise.

(2) 'Applicant' means any person that applies for a license under this article.

(3) 'Bettor' means an individual who is:

(A) Physically present in this state when placing a wager with a licensee;

(B) Twenty-one years of age or older; and

(4) 'Bond' means a bond held in escrow for the purpose of maintaining adequate reserves to account for losses suffered by a licensee and owed to bettors.

(5) 'Cheating' means improving the chances of winning or altering the outcome through deception, interference, or manipulation of a sporting event or of any equipment, including software, pertaining to or used in relation to the equipment used for or in connection with the sporting event on which wagers are placed or invited. Such term shall include match fixing and attempts and conspiracy to cheat.

(6) 'Collegiate sporting event' means a sporting or athletic event involving a sports or athletic team of a public or private institution of higher education.

(7) 'Esports event' means an organized video game competition between players who play individually or as teams.

(8) 'Fantasy or simulated contest' means a game or event in which one or more players compete based on winning outcomes that reflect the relative knowledge and skill of the players and are determined predominately by accumulated statistical results of the performance of individuals, including, but not limited to, athletes in sporting events.

(9) 'Fixed-odds betting' means bets made at predetermined odds or on the spread where the return to the bettor is unaffected by any later change in odds or the spread.

(10) 'Futures bet' means a wager made on the occurrence of an event in the future relating to a sporting event.

(11) 'Institutional investor' means:

(A) A retirement fund administered by a public agency for the exclusive benefit of federal, state, or local public employees;

(B) An investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

(D) A banking and other chartered or licensed lending institution;

(E) An investment advisor registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; or

(F) A pension investment board.

(12) 'License' means any of the licenses issued by the corporation under this article.

(13) 'Licensee' means a person that holds a license issued by the corporation under this article.

(14) 'Master sports betting licensee' means the Georgia Lottery Corporation.

(15) 'Material nonpublic information' means information that has not been disseminated publicly concerning an athlete, contestant, prospective contestant, or athletic team, including, without limitation, confidential information related to medical conditions or treatment, physical or mental health or conditioning, physical therapy or recovery, discipline, sanctions, academic status, education records, eligibility, playbooks, signals, schemes, techniques, game plans, practices, strategies, assessments, systems, drills, or recordings of practices or other athletic activities.

(16) 'Minor' means an individual who is less than 21 years of age.

(17) 'Money line' means the fixed odds in relation to a dollar amount that a team or person participating in a sporting event will win outright regardless of the spread.

(18) 'Official event data' means statistics, results, outcomes, and other data related to a sporting event obtained pursuant to an agreement with the relevant sporting events operator whose corporate headquarters is based in the United States or an entity expressly authorized by such sporting events operator to provide such information to licensees for purposes of determining the outcome of tier 2 sports wagers on such sporting event.

(19) 'Official league data' means statistics, results, outcomes, and other data related to a sporting event obtained pursuant to an agreement with the relevant professional sports governing body whose corporate headquarters is based in the United States or an entity expressly authorized by such professional sports governing body to provide such information to licensees for purposes of determining the outcome of tier 2 sports wagers.

(20) 'Online sports betting' means a wager on a sporting event that is placed via the internet through any electronic device and accepted through an online sports betting platform that is operated by a Type 1 sports betting licensee or such licensee's online sports betting services provider.

(21) 'Online sports betting platform' means the combination of hardware, software, and data networks used to manage, administer, or control online sports betting and any associated wagers accessible by any electronic means.

(22) 'Online sports betting services provider' means a person that contracts with the master sports betting licensee or a Type 1 sports betting licensee under Code Section 50-27-133 to operate online sports betting on behalf of such licensee and that is licensed by the corporation.

(23) 'Over/under bet' means a single wager that predicts whether the combined score of the two persons or teams engaged in a sporting event will be lower or higher than a predetermined number.

(24) 'Parlay bet' means a single wager that incorporates two or more individual bets for purposes of earning a higher payout if each bet incorporated within the wager wins.

(25) 'Principal owner' means a person that owns an interest of 10 percent or more of the entity.

(26) 'Professional sporting event' means an athletic or sporting event involving at least two competitors who have the opportunity to receive compensation for participating in such event.

(27) 'Professional sports governing body' means the organization, league, or association that oversees a sport and prescribes final rules and enforces codes of conduct with respect to such sport and participants therein.

(28) 'Professional sports team' means a major league professional team:

(A) Based in this state;

(B) That plays baseball, football, men's basketball, soccer, or women's basketball; and

(29) 'Proposition bet' means a wager on a single specific action, statistic, occurrence, or nonoccurrence to be determined during a sporting event and includes any such action, statistic, occurrence, or nonoccurrence that does not directly affect the final outcome of the sporting event to which it relates.

(30) 'Relative' means a spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, cousin, nephew, niece, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, or half-sister.

(31) 'Sporting event' means any:

(A) Professional sporting event, including motor sports sanctioned by a national or international organization or association;

(B) Collegiate sporting event;

(D) Sporting or athletic event sanctioned by a national or international organization or association;

(E) Sporting or athletic event conducted or organized by a sporting events operator;

(F) Esports event; or

(G) Other event authorized by the corporation.

Such term shall not include a nonprofessional or non-Olympic sporting or athletic event if the majority of the participants are under the age of 18.

(32) 'Sporting events operator' means a person that conducts or organizes a sporting event for athletes or other participants that is not held or sanctioned as an official sporting event of a professional sports governing body.

(33) 'Sports betting' means online sports betting.

(34) 'Sports betting equipment' means any of the following that is directly used in connection with the operation of sports betting:

(A) Any mechanical, electronic, or other device, mechanism, or equipment;

(B) Any software, application, components, or other goods; or

(C) Anything to be installed or used on a patron's personal electronic device. (35)(A) 'Sports betting supplier' means a person that directly provides sports betting equipment necessary for the creation of sports betting markets and the determination of bet outcomes to any licensee involved in the acceptance of bets, including any of the following:

(i) Providers of data feeds and odds services;

(ii) Internet platform providers;

(iii) Risk management providers:

(iv) Integrity monitoring providers; and

(v) Other providers of sports betting supplier services as determined by the corporation.

(B) Such term shall not include a professional sports governing body that:

(i) Provides official league data concerning its own sporting event to a sports betting licensee solely on that basis; or

(ii) Provides raw statistical match data to one or more designated and licensed suppliers of data feeds and odds services solely on that basis.

(36) 'Spread' means the predicted scoring differential between two persons or teams engaged in a sporting event.

(37) 'Supervisory employee' means a principal owner or employee having the authority to act on behalf of a licensee or whose judgment is relied upon to manage and advance the business operations of a licensee.

(38) 'Tier 1 sports wager' means a sports wager that is determined solely by the final score or final outcome of the sporting event and is placed before the sporting event has begun.

(39) 'Tier 2 sports wager' means a wager that is not a tier 1 sports wager.

(40) 'Type 1 eligible entity' means any of the following:

(A) Any professional sports team, or its designee;

(B) A professional sports governing body that holds one or more sanctioned annual golf tournaments on a national tour of professional golf in this state, and has held one or more of the same or different sanctioned annual golf tournaments on a national tour of professional golf in this state for at least 30 years;

(C) The owner of a facility in this state that has held an annual invitational golf tournament for professional and amateur golfers for at least 30 years;

(D) The owner of a facility located in this state that hosts automobile races on a national association for stock car racing national tour or a wholly owned for-profit subsidiary of the owner of such a facility, if the owner is a nonprofit corporation or nonprofit organization;

(E) The Georgia Lottery Corporation; and

(F) Any entity that directly, or through one of its members or shareholders, has been approved in this state by the National Steeplechase Association for at least six months prior to the effective date of this article.

(41) 'Type 1 sports betting licensee' means the master sports betting licensee, an online sports betting services provider that contracts with the master sports betting licensee, or a Type 1 eligible entity licensed or authorized by the corporation to directly or indirectly offer online sports betting.

(42) 'Wager' or 'bet' means a sum of money that is risked by a bettor on the unknown outcome of one or more sporting events. Such term shall be limited to fixed-odds betting, futures bets, a tier 1 or tier 2 sports wager, a money line bet, an over/under bet, a parlay bet, a proposition bet, or a bet on the spread. Such term shall not include a pari-mutuel bet or wager or an entry fee paid to participate in a fantasy or simulated contest.

50-27-123.

(a) The corporation shall have all powers and duties necessary to carry out the provisions of this article and to exercise the control of the lottery game of sports betting in this state as authorized by this article. Such powers and duties shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(1) To have jurisdiction, supervision, and regulatory authority over sports betting, including, but not limited to, regulation, licensure, and offering of sports betting on mobile applications available state wide via the internet and through a limited number of licenses to be awarded to Type 1 sports betting licensees;

(2) To have jurisdiction and supervision of all persons conducting, participating in, or attending any facility with sports betting;

(3) To appoint and employ such persons as the corporation deems essential to perform its duties under this article and to ensure that such sports betting is conducted with order and the highest integrity. Such employees shall possess such authority and perform such duties as the corporation shall prescribe or delegate to them. Such employees shall be compensated as provided by the corporation;

(4) To enter upon, investigate, and have free access to all places of business of any licensee under this article and to compel the production of any books, ledgers, documents, records, memoranda, or other information of any licensee to ensure such licensee's compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the corporation pursuant to this article. Such rules and regulations shall be exempt from the requirements of Chapter 13 of this title, the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act';

(5) To promulgate any rules and regulations as the corporation deems necessary and proper to administer the provisions of this article; provided, however, that the initial rules and regulations governing sports betting shall be promulgated and adopted by the corporation within 90 days of the effective date of this article after an opportunity has been provided for public comment. The promulgation and adoption of such initial rules and regulations shall not be subject to Chapter 13 of this title, the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act';

(6) To issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses before the corporation, administer oaths, and compel production of records or other documents and testimony of witnesses whenever, in the judgment of the corporation, it is necessary to do so for the effectual discharge of the duties of the corporation under this article;

(7) To compel any person licensed by the corporation to file with the corporation such data, documents, and information as shall appear to the corporation to be necessary for the performance of the duties of the corporation under this article, including, but not limited to, financial statements and information relative to stockholders and all others with a pecuniary interest in such person;

(8) To prescribe the manner in which books and records of persons licensed or permitted by the corporation under this article shall be kept;

(9) To enter into arrangements with any foreign or domestic government or governmental agency for the purposes of exchanging information or performing any other act to better ensure the proper conduct of betting under this article;

(10) To order such audits, in addition to those otherwise required by this article, as the corporation deems necessary and desirable;

(11) Upon the receipt of a complaint of an alleged criminal violation of this article, to immediately report such complaint to the appropriate law enforcement agency with jurisdiction to investigate criminal activity;

(12) To provide for the reporting of the applicable amount of state and federal income tax of persons claiming a prize or payoff for a winning wager under this article;

(13) To establish and administer a program for providing assistance to problem gamblers, including, but not limited to, requiring the electronic posting of signs, notifications, or other relevant responsible gambling information in a clear and conspicuous manner on online sports betting platforms, including a national toll-free number that directs callers to an organization that provides assistance to problem gamblers;

(14) To eject or exclude from the sports betting facility or any part thereof any individual, whether licensed or not, whose conduct or reputation is such that his or her presence may, in the opinion of the corporation or the designated employees of the corporation, reflect adversely on the honesty and integrity of the sports betting or interfere with the orderly conduct of the lottery game of sports betting;

(15) To keep a true and full record of all proceedings of the corporation under this article and preserve at the corporation's general office all books, documents, and papers of the corporation; and

(16) To adopt rules and regulations specific to the manner in which a licensee may advertise its business operations as authorized by this article.

(b) The corporation shall not have the power to prescribe a licensee's maximum or minimum payout or hold percentage.

(c) The corporation shall not have the power to issue or award and shall not issue or award any licenses provided for in this article prior to September 1, 2025.

50-27-124.

The corporation shall prescribe by rules and regulations:

(1) The reserves that must be kept by licensees to comply with subparagraph (c)(6)(A) of Code Section 50-27-130 to pay off bettors;

(2) Any insurance requirements for a licensee;

(3) Minimum requirements by which each licensee shall exercise effective control over its internal fiscal affairs, including, without limitation, requirements for:

(A) Safeguarding assets and revenues, including evidence of indebtedness;

(B) Maintaining reliable records relating to accounts, transactions, profits and losses, operations, and events; and

(4) Requirements for internal and independent audits of licensees;

(5) The manner in which periodic financial reports shall be submitted to the corporation from each licensee, including the financial information to be included in the reports;

(6) The type of information deemed to be confidential financial or proprietary information that is not subject to any reporting requirements under this article;

(7) Policies, procedures, and processes designed to mitigate the risk of cheating and money laundering; and

(8) Any post-employment restrictions necessary to maintain the integrity of sports betting in this state.

Part 2

50-27-130.

(a) Any person offering, operating, or managing sports betting in this state shall be licensed by the corporation.

(b) The corporation shall issue licenses to qualified applicants able to meet the duties of a license holder under this article and that the corporation determines will best satisfy the following criteria:

(1) Expertise in the business of online sports betting;

(2) Integrity, sustainability, and safety of the online sports betting platform;

(3) Past relevant experience of the applicant;

(4) Advertising and promotional plans to maximize revenue;

(5) Demonstrated commitment to and plans for the promotion of responsible gaming; and

(6) Capacity to rapidly and efficiently bring bettors onto the applicant's platform.

(c) An applicant for a license or for the renewal of a license shall submit an application on a form in such manner and in accordance with such requirements as may be prescribed by the rules and regulations of the corporation. Such rules and regulations shall require, at a minimum, that the application include the following:

(1) If the applicant is an entity, identification of the applicant's principal owners, board of directors, officers, and supervisory employees;

(2) Information, documentation, and assurances as may be required by the corporation to establish by clear and convincing evidence the applicant's good character, honesty, and integrity, including, but not limited to, information pertaining to family, habits, character, reputation, criminal and arrest records, business activities, financial affairs, and business, professional, and personal associates, covering at least the ten-year period immediately preceding the filing of the application;

(3) Notice and a description of civil judgments obtained against the applicant pertaining to antitrust or security regulation laws of the federal government, this state, or any other state, jurisdiction, province, or country;

(4) To the extent available, letters of reference or the equivalent from law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction of the applicant's place of residence and principal place of business. Each such letter of reference shall indicate that the law enforcement agency does not have any pertinent information concerning the applicant or, if such law enforcement agency does have information pertaining to the applicant, shall provide such information, to the extent permitted by law;

(5) If the applicant has conducted sports betting operations in another jurisdiction, a letter of reference from the regulatory body that governs sports betting that specifies the standing of the applicant with such regulatory body; provided, however, that, if no such letter is received within 60 days of the request therefor, the applicant may submit a statement under oath that the applicant is or was, during the period such activities were conducted, in good standing with the regulatory body;

(6) Information, documentation, and assurances concerning financial background and resources as may be required to establish by clear and convincing evidence the financial stability, integrity, and responsibility of the applicant, including, but not limited to, bank references, business and personal income and disbursement schedules, tax returns and other reports filed with governmental agencies, and business and personal accounting and check records and ledgers. Each applicant shall, in writing, authorize the examination of all bank accounts and records as may be deemed necessary by the corporation. The corporation may consider any relevant evidence of financial stability. The applicant shall be presumed to be financially stable if the applicant establishes by clear and convincing evidence the ability to:

(A) Assure the financial integrity of sports betting operations by the maintenance of a reserve of not less than $500,000.00 or the amount required to cover the outstanding liabilities for wagers accepted by the licensee, whichever is greater. Outstanding liabilities for wagers shall mean the sum of the amount paid by patrons for wagers that have not yet been determined and the amount owed but unpaid by licensees to patrons for wagers whose results have been determined. The reserve may take the form of a bond, an irrevocable letter of credit, payment processor reserves and receivables, cash or cash equivalents segregated from operational funds, guaranty letter, or a combination thereof. Such reserve shall be adequate to pay winning wagers to bettors when due. An applicant is presumed to have met this standard if the applicant maintains, on a daily basis, a minimum reserve in an amount which is at least equal to the average daily minimum reserve, calculated on a monthly basis, for the corresponding month in the previous year;

(B) Meet ongoing operating expenses which are essential to the maintenance of continuous and stable sports betting operations; and

(7) Information, documentation, and assurances as may be required to establish by clear and convincing evidence that the applicant has sufficient business ability and sports betting experience to establish the likelihood of the creation and maintenance of successful, efficient sports betting operations in this state;

(8) Information, as required by the rules and regulations of the corporation, regarding the financial standing of the applicant, including, without limitation, each person or entity that has provided loans or financing to the applicant;

(9) A nonrefundable application fee and annual licensing fee as follows:

(A) Applicants for a Type 1 sports betting license shall pay a nonrefundable application fee in the amount of $100,000.00 and an annual licensing fee in the amount of $1.5 million; provided, however, that, for those licenses referred to in paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of Code Section 50-27-133, such annual licensing fee shall instead be $750,000.00 and the application fee and annual licensing fee shall be paid by the online sports betting services provider and not by the corporation, which shall not be required to pay any such fees;

(B) Applicants for an online sports betting services provider license shall pay a nonrefundable application fee in the amount of $10,000.00 and an annual licensing fee of $100,000.00; provided, however, that an online sports betting services provider that applies for and obtains one of the licenses referred to in paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of Code Section 50-27-133 shall only be required to pay the nonrefundable application fee and annual licensing fee applicable to the applicant's Type 1 sports betting license; and

(C) Applicants for a sports betting supplier license shall pay a nonrefundable application fee in the amount of $2,000.00 and an annual licensing fee of $20,000.00; and

(10) Any additional information, documents, or assurances required by rules and regulations of the corporation.

(d) The corporation shall review and approve or deny an application for a license not more than 90 days after receipt of an application.

50-27-131.

(a) A licensee may renew its license by submitting an application on a form in such manner and in accordance with such requirements as may be prescribed by rules and regulations of the corporation. A licensee shall submit the nonrefundable application fee prescribed under paragraph (9) of subsection (c) of Code Section 50-27-130 with its application for license renewal.

(b) For each application for licensure or renewal of a license approved under this Code section, the amount of the application fee shall be credited toward the licensee's annual licensing fee and the licensee shall remit the balance of the annual fee to the corporation upon approval of a license.

(c) Each licensee shall have a continuing duty to promptly inform the corporation of any change in status relating to any information that may disqualify the licensee from holding a license under Code Section 50-27-132.

(d) A professional sports governing body may enter into commercial agreements with licensees or other entities that provide for such professional sports governing body to share in the amounts wagered or revenue derived from wagers on sporting events of such professional sports governing body. A professional sports governing body shall not be required to obtain any approval or other form of authorization from the corporation to enter into such commercial agreements or to lawfully accept such amounts or revenues. The corporation shall not prescribe any terms or conditions that are required to be included into such commercial agreements.

(e) A person that holds a license or permit to engage in sports betting issued by another jurisdiction may submit a request to the corporation for a temporary license for such person to immediately commence engagement in this state in sports betting. Such request shall include the annual licensing fee required under paragraph (9) of subsection (c) of Code Section 50-27-130.

(f) Upon receiving a request for a temporary license, the chief executive officer may review the request at his or her discretion. If the chief executive officer reviews the request and determines that the person requesting the temporary license holds a license or permit issued by another jurisdiction to engage in sports betting and has paid the required licensing fee, the chief executive officer may authorize such person to engage in sports betting pursuant to this article under a temporary license for up to one year or until a final determination on such person's application is made, whichever is later.

(g) All licenses issued under this article shall be valid for a term of five years, unless suspended or revoked as provided under this article.

(h) The corporation may adopt rules and regulations prescribing the manner in which a license may be transferred and a fee for a license transfer.

(i) A licensee may maintain the bond, letter of credit, or cash reserve at any bank lawfully operating in this state and the licensee shall be the beneficiary of any interest accrued thereon.

50-27-132.

(a) The following persons shall not be eligible to apply for or obtain a license under this article:

(1) A member of the board of directors or employee of the corporation or an employee of a corporation vendor; provided, however, that a corporation vendor as an entity may be eligible to apply for or obtain a license;

(2) An employee of a professional sports team on which the applicant offers sports betting;

(3) A coach of or player for a collegiate, professional, or Olympic sports team or sport or an entity that has an affiliation or interest in such a sports team or sport;

(4) An individual who is a member or employee of any professional sports governing body or sporting events operator;

(5) An individual or entity with an owner, officer, or director who has been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude or similar degree as specified in rules and regulations promulgated by the corporation pursuant to this article;

(6) A person having the ability to directly affect the outcome of a sporting event upon which the applicant offers sports betting;

(7) A trustee or regent of a governing board of a public or private institution of higher education;

(8) An individual prohibited by the rules or regulations of a professional sports governing body or sporting events operator of a collegiate sports, team, league, or association from participating in sports betting;

(9) A student or an employee of a public or private institution of higher education who has access to material nonpublic information concerning a student athlete or a sports team; and

(10) Any other category of persons, established by the rules and regulations of the corporation, that, if licensed, would negatively affect the integrity of sports betting in this state.

(b) An individual listed in paragraphs (2) through (10) of subsection (a) of this Code section may hold an ownership interest in an applicant or licensee without disqualifying the applicant or licensee from obtaining or holding a license; provided, however, that such an ownership interest of 25 percent or more shall require approval from the corporation. In determining whether such an ownership interest shall be the basis of disqualification, the corporation shall consider whether such interest would negatively affect the integrity of sports betting in this state and any other factors the corporation shall deem relevant.

50-27-133.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (h) of this Code section, a Type 1 sports betting license authorizes a Type 1 eligible entity, or its designated online sports betting services provider, to offer online sports betting. If a Type 1 eligible entity designates an online sports betting services provider, the online sports betting services provider is considered the applicant for a Type 1 sports betting license and is considered the Type 1 sports betting licensee for all aspects of the regulatory control of the corporation and the operations under the Type 1 sports betting license. The corporation shall establish a procedure for a Type 1 eligible entity to designate an online sports betting provider.

(b) The corporation shall issue not more than 18 Type 1 sports betting licenses to Type 1 eligible entities or their designated online sports betting services providers in accordance with the following:

(1) Five Type 1 sports betting licenses shall be reserved for the Type 1 eligible entities defined in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (40) of Code Section 50-27-122 or their designated online sports betting services providers; provided, however, that more than one license may be issued to an owner of multiple professional sports teams;

(2) One Type 1 sports betting license shall be reserved for each of the Type 1 eligible entities defined in subparagraphs (B) through (E) of paragraph (40) of Code Section 50-27-122 or their designated online sports betting services providers and two Type 1 sports betting licenses shall be reserved for the Type 1 eligible entities defined in subparagraph (F) of paragraph (40) of Code Section 50-27-122 or their designated online sports betting services providers; and

(3) The corporation shall award contracts to manage the remaining Type 1 sports betting licenses to separate online sports betting services providers via a public procurement process;

provided, however, that a master sports betting license shall authorize the corporation through a designated online sports betting services provider to offer online sports betting.

(c) A Type 1 eligible entity may contract with no more than one online sports betting services provider to operate online sports betting on behalf of the Type 1 eligible entity.

(d) A Type 1 eligible entity shall provide written notice to the corporation of its intention, or its designated sports betting services provider's intention, to apply for a Type 1 sports betting license within 60 days of the effective date of this article. The failure of a Type 1 eligible entity to provide such written notice shall result in the permanent disqualification and prohibition of such Type 1 eligible entity or its designated sports betting services provider from obtaining a Type 1 sports betting license.

(e) A Type 1 sports betting licensee shall not offer online sports betting until the corporation has issued a license to at least one online sports betting services provider that has been awarded a sports betting license via the public procurement process as determined by the corporation.

(f) All applicants for the 18 Type 1 sports betting licenses under subsection (b) of this Code section that have submitted an application within 30 days of the date in which the corporation began to accept applications for Type 1 sports betting licenses shall be given an equal opportunity to first commence offering, conducting, or operating online sports betting in this state on the same day, and in any event not later than January 31, 2026.

(g) A Type 1 eligible entity described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (40) of Code Section 50-27-122 that becomes a Type 1 sports betting licensee or designates an online sports betting services provider shall establish and maintain procedures with respect to sporting events which the Type 1 eligible entity participates in or administers to ensure avoidance of conflicts of interest in the operation of sports betting in this state.

(h) Only a Type 1 sports betting licensee identified in subparagraph (F) of paragraph (40) of Code Section 50-27-122, or its designated online sports betting services provider, may offer online sports betting that also includes the sporting event of equestrian races on out of state tracks or other facilities and only at one facility that is owned and operated by the Type 1 sports betting licensee or its affiliate. Nothing in this article authorizes online sports betting on horse or other animal races occurring in this state. For purposes of this subsection, 'affiliate' means a person or entity that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with another person or entity.

50-27-134.

(a) An online sports betting services provider shall offer online sports betting only in accordance with the provisions of this article and the rules and regulations adopted by the corporation under this article.

(b) An online sports betting services provider shall obtain a license under this article before offering online sports betting pursuant to a contract with a Type 1 sports betting licensee or master sports betting licensee. An online sports betting services provider license shall entitle the holder to contract with no more than one Type 1 sports betting licensee.

(c) If the holder of a Type 1 sports betting license is a Type 1 eligible entity and is a member of a league, association, or organization that prevents the holder from being subject to the regulatory control of the corporation or from otherwise operating under the license, such a Type 1 eligible entity may contractually appoint an online sports betting services provider for all aspects of corporation oversight and operations under the Type 1 sports betting license.

(d) Institutional investors shall be exempt from any and all qualification and disclosure requirements under this article or required under the rules and regulations promulgated by the corporation pursuant to this article. Such exemption shall extend to the owners, directors, and officers of such institutional investors.

Part 3

50-27-150.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, there shall be imposed an annual privilege tax of 25 percent of the adjusted gross income derived from online sports betting in accordance with this Code section.

(b) The privilege tax described in subsection (a) of this Code section shall be paid by the online sports betting services provider; provided, however, that, if a Type 1 sports betting licensee does not contract with an online sports betting services provider, such privilege tax shall be paid by such Type 1 sports betting licensee as provided for in subsection (c) of this Code section. This subsection shall not apply to the master licensee.

(c) The privilege tax imposed under this Code section shall be paid monthly by the online sports betting services provider based on its monthly adjusted gross income for the immediately preceding calendar month. The privilege tax shall be paid to the corporation in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the corporation. If the online sports betting services provider's adjusted gross income for a month is a negative number, such online sports betting services provider may carry over such negative amount to subsequent months.

(d) All moneys from privilege taxes and fees collected under this Code section shall be distributed and used as provided under Article I, Section II, Paragraph VIII of the Constitution of Georgia.

(e) With the exemption of licensing fees imposed by paragraph (9) of subsection (c) of Code Section 50-27-130, the privilege tax imposed under this Code section is in lieu of all other state and local sales and income taxes and fees imposed on the operation of sports betting or on the proceeds from the operation of sports betting in this state.

50-27-151.

(a) Each licensee shall report to the corporation, no later than January 15 of each year:

(1) The total amount of wagers received from bettors for the immediately preceding calendar year;

(2) The adjusted gross income of the licensee for the immediately preceding calendar year; and

(3) Any additional information required by the rules and regulations of the corporation deemed in the public interest or necessary to maintain the integrity of sports betting in this state.

(b) A licensee shall promptly report to the corporation any information relating to:

(1) The name of any newly elected officer or director of the board of the licensed entity; and

(2) The acquisition by any person of 10 percent or more of any class of corporate stock.

(c) With respect to information reported under subsection (b) of this Code section, a licensee shall include with such report a statement of any conflict of interest that may exist as a result of such election or acquisition.

(d) Upon receiving a report under this Code section or subsection (b) of Code Section 50-27-191, the corporation may conduct a hearing in accordance with Code Section 50-27-193 to determine whether the licensee remains in compliance with this article. Part 4

50-27-160.

(a) No person shall knowingly:

(1) Allow a minor to place a wager;

(2) Offer, accept, or extend credit to a bettor in the form of a marker; provided, however, that promotions and promotional credits shall be permitted to be offered and extended to bettors;

(3) Target minors in advertising or promotions for sports betting;

(4) Offer or accept a wager on any event, outcome, or occurrence other than a sporting event, including, without limitation, a high school sporting event offered, sponsored, or played in connection with a public or private institution that offers education at the secondary level; or

(5) Accept a wager from an individual who is prohibited from placing a wager or bet under Code Section 50-27-162, if such person has notice or actual knowledge that such individual is prohibited from placing such a wager or bet.

(b) A person that knowingly violates this Code section:

(1) For a first offense, shall be indefinitely prohibited from placing a wager, be required to forfeit the proceeds of any illegal wager, and be guilty of a misdemeanor; and

(2) For a second or subsequent offense, shall be required to forfeit the proceeds of any illegal wager and be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.

50-27-161.

Except for those individuals ineligible to place bets under Code Section 50-27-162, an individual who is 21 years of age or older and who is physically located in this state may place a wager in the manner authorized under this article and the rules and regulations of the corporation.

50-27-162.

(a) The following individuals and categories of individuals shall not, directly or indirectly, place a wager on sporting events or online sports betting platforms in this state:

(1) A member, officer, or employee of the corporation shall not place a wager on any sporting event or platform;

(2) A corporation vendor employee shall not place a wager on a sporting event using their employer's platform;

(3) A licensee or principal owner, partner, member of the board of directors, officer, or supervisory employee of a licensee shall not place a wager on the licensee's platform;

(4) A person that provides goods or services to a licensee or any principal owner, partner, member of the board of directors, officer, or supervisory employee of a person that provides such goods or services shall not place a wager on the licensee's platform;

(5) A contractor, subcontractor, or consultant or any officer or employee of a contractor, subcontractor, or consultant of a licensee shall not place a wager on the licensee's platform, if such individual is directly involved in the licensee's operation of sports betting or the processing of sports betting claims or payments through the licensee's platform;

(6) An individual subject to a contract with the corporation shall not place a wager on any platform, if the contract contains a provision prohibiting the individual from participating in sports betting;

(7) An individual with access to material nonpublic information that is known exclusively by an individual who is prohibited from placing a wager in this state under this Code section shall not use any such information to place a wager on any sporting event or platform;

(8) An amateur or Olympic athlete shall not place a wager on any sporting event in which the athlete participates;

(9) A professional athlete shall not place a wager on any sporting event overseen by such athlete's professional sports governing body or sporting events operator;

(10) An owner or employee of a team, player, umpire, or sports union personnel, or employee, referee, coach, or official of a professional sports governing body or sporting events operator shall not place a wager on any sporting event, if the wager is based on a sporting event overseen by the individual's professional sports governing body or sporting events operator;

(11) An individual having the ability to directly affect the outcome of a sporting event shall not place a wager on such sporting event;

(12) A trustee or regent of a governing board of a public or private institution of higher education shall not place a wager on a collegiate sporting event;

(13) An individual prohibited by the rules or regulations of a professional sports governing body or sporting events operator of a collegiate sports, team, league, or association from participating in sports betting shall not place a wager on any sporting event to which such prohibition applies; and

(14) A student or an employee of a public or private institution of higher education who has access to material nonpublic information concerning a student athlete or a sports team shall be prohibited from placing a wager on a collegiate sporting event if such information is relevant to the outcome of such event.

(b) The corporation may prescribe by rules and regulations additional individuals and categories of individuals who are prohibited from placing a wager on specified sporting events or online sports betting platforms in this state.

(c) The corporation shall prescribe by rules and regulations any measures necessary to ensure individuals who are prohibited from placing a wager on specified sporting events or online sports betting platforms in this state shall not be permitted to collude with individuals not specifically enumerated in subsection (a) of this Code section to directly affect the outcome of a sporting event.

(d) Any individual who places a wager in violation of this Code section:

(1) For a first offense, shall be:

(A) Indefinitely prohibited from placing a wager;

(B) Required to forfeit the proceeds of any illegal wager;

(D) Fined not less than $500.00 nor more than $1,000.00;

(2) For a second offense, shall be:

(A) Required to forfeit the proceeds of any illegal wager;

(B) Guilty of a misdemeanor; and

(3) For a third or subsequent offense, shall be:

(A) Required to forfeit the proceeds of any illegal wager;

(B) Guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature; and

50-27-163.

(a) The corporation shall by rules and regulations prohibit betting on injuries, penalties, the outcome of player discipline rulings or replay reviews, and any other type or form of betting under this article that is contrary to public policy or unfair to bettors. (b)(1) A professional sports governing body or sporting events operator may submit to the corporation in writing, by providing notice in such form and manner as the corporation may require, a request to restrict, limit, or prohibit a certain type, form, or category of sports betting with respect to its sporting events, if the professional sports governing body or sporting events operator believes that such type, form, or category of sports betting with respect to its sporting events may undermine the integrity or perceived integrity of such professional sports governing body or sporting events operator or its sporting events. The corporation shall request comments from sports betting licensees and sports betting services provider licensees on all such requests it receives.

(2) After giving due consideration to all comments received, the corporation shall, upon demonstration of good cause from the requestor that such type, form, or category of sports betting is likely to undermine the integrity or perceived integrity of such professional sports governing body or sporting events operator or its sporting events, grant the request. The corporation shall respond to a request concerning a particular sporting event before the start of the event, or if it is not feasible to respond before such time, no later than seven days after the request is made. If the corporation determines that the requestor is more likely than not to prevail in successfully demonstrating good cause for its request, the corporation may provisionally grant the request of the professional sports governing body or sporting events operator until the corporation makes a final determination as to whether the requestor has demonstrated good cause. Absent such a provisional grant by the corporation, sports betting licensees may continue to offer sports betting on sporting events that are the subject of such a request during the pendency of the corporation's consideration of the applicable request.

Part 5

50-27-170.

(a) Prior to placing a wager with a licensee via online sports betting, a bettor shall register and establish a player account with the licensee remotely and attest that the bettor meets the requirements to place a wager with a licensee in this state. Prior to verification of a bettor's identity in accordance with this Code section, a licensee shall not allow the bettor to engage in sports betting, make a deposit, or process a withdrawal via online sports betting. A licensee shall implement commercially and technologically reasonable procedures to prevent access to sports betting by minors on its online sports betting platforms. A licensee may use information obtained from third parties to verify that an individual is authorized to open an account, place wagers, and make deposits and withdrawals.

(b) Each online sports betting services provider licensee shall adopt a registration policy to ensure that all bettors utilizing online sports betting are authorized to place a wager with a licensee within this state. Such policy shall include, without limitation, commercially reasonable mechanisms to:

(1) Verify the name and age of the registrant;

(2) Verify that the registrant is not knowingly prohibited from placing a wager under Code Section 50-27-162; and

(3) Obtain the following information from the registrant:

(A) Legal name;

(B) Date of birth;

(D) Phone number;

(E) A unique username; and

(F) An active email account.

(c) Each online sports betting services provider licensee may in its discretion require a bettor to provide the licensee with a signed and notarized document attesting that the bettor is qualified to engage in sports betting under this article as part of the registration policy of the licensee.

(d) A bettor shall not register more than one account with a licensee, and each licensee shall use commercially and technologically reasonable means to ensure that each bettor is limited to one account.

(e) Each licensee, in addition to complying with state and federal law pertaining to the protection of the private, personal information of registered bettors, shall use all other commercially and technologically reasonable means to protect such information consistent with industry standards.

(f) When a bettor's account is created, a bettor may fund the account through:

(1) Electronic bank transfer of funds, including such transfers through third parties;

(2) Debit cards;

(3) Online and mobile payment systems that support online money transfers; and

(4) Any other method approved by the rules and regulations of the corporation. (g)(1) Licensees shall not allow bets to be placed until first verifying the identity of the bettor pursuant to this Code section and by the rules promulgated by the corporation. Further, and pursuant to the rules promulgated by the corporation, licensees shall establish safeguards, including, but not limited to, access notifications and similar security safeguards, to protect each bettor's account.

(2) If a licensee determines that the information provided by a bettor to make a deposit or process a withdrawal is inaccurate or incapable of verification or violates the policies and procedures of the licensee, the licensee shall, within ten days, require the submission of additional information that can be used to verify the identity of such bettor.

(3) If such information is not provided or does not result in verification of the bettor's identity, the licensee shall:

(A) Immediately suspend the bettor's account and shall not allow the bettor to place wagers;

(B) Retain any winnings attributable to the bettor;

(D) Suspend the account.

(h) A licensee shall utilize geofencing technology to ensure that online sports betting is available only to bettors who are physically located in this state. Servers, including the use of backup servers, may be located outside of this state, consistent with federal law. To the extent required by federal law, a licensee shall maintain in this state the servers it uses to accept wagers on a sporting event placed by bettors located in this state.

(i) Each licensee shall clearly and conspicuously display on its public website a statement indicating that it is illegal for a person under 21 years of age to engage in sports betting in this state.

(j) The corporation shall promulgate rules and regulations for purposes of regulating sports betting via online sports betting.

50-27-171.

(a) Licensees shall allow bettors to limit their betting activity with the licensee by, at a minimum, giving bettors the opportunity to place limits on the amounts deposited, the amounts wagered, and the amount of time spent wagering. Licensees shall take reasonable steps to prevent bettors from overriding their self-imposed responsible gambling limits. At the request of a bettor, a licensee may share the requested limitations with the corporation for the sole purpose of disseminating the request to other licensees.

(b) The corporation shall promulgate rules and regulations that require a licensee to implement responsible sports betting programs that include comprehensive training on responding to circumstances in which individuals present signs of problem gambling or a betting or gambling disorder.

(c) The corporation shall work with national and local organizations to provide services for individuals with problem gambling or a betting or gambling disorder and to establish prevention initiatives to reduce the number of individuals with problem gambling or a betting or gambling disorder, including, but not limited to, utilizing currently established programs for problem gambling or betting or gambling disorders.

(d) All sports betting advertisements shall prominently display messaging designed to prevent problem gambling and provide information about how to access resources related to problem gambling, including the National Council on Problem Gambling's helpline or other similar toll-free helpline.

(e) The corporation shall annually generate a report outlining activities with respect to problem gambling and betting or gambling disorders, including, but not limited to, descriptions of programs, grants, and other resources made available; the number of individuals seeking assistance; the number of individuals who reported completing programs and therapies; and the rate of recidivism, if known to the corporation. The corporation shall file the annual report with the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and shall publish such report on its public website no later than January 30 of each year.

50-27-172.

(a) Each licensee shall adopt and adhere to a written, comprehensive policy outlining its rules governing the acceptance of wagers and payouts. Such policy and rules must be approved by the corporation prior to the acceptance of a wager by a licensee. Such policy and rules shall be readily available to a bettor on the licensee's public website.

(b) The corporation shall promulgate rules and regulations regarding:

(1) The manner in which a licensee accepts wagers from and issues payouts to bettors, including payouts in excess of $10,000.00; and

(2) Requirements for reporting suspicious wagers.

Part 6

50-27-180.

(a) Licensees shall not be required to use official league data or official event data for determining the results of:

(1) Tier 1 sports wagers on events of any organization, whether headquartered in the United States or elsewhere; or

(2) Tier 2 sports wagers on events of organizations that are not headquartered in the United States.

(b)(1) A professional sports governing body or sporting events operator headquartered in the United States may notify the corporation that it desires licensees to use official league data or official event data for determining the results of tier 2 sports wagers on its sporting events. A notification under this subsection shall be made in the form and manner as the corporation shall require. The corporation shall notify each licensee within five days after receipt of such notification from a professional sports governing body or sporting events operator. If a professional sports governing body or sporting events operator does not notify the corporation of its desire to supply official league data or official event data, licensees are not required to use official league data or official event data for determining the results of any tier 2 wagers on sporting events of that professional sports governing body or sporting events operator.

(2) Within 60 days after the corporation notifies each licensee as provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection, or within a longer period as may be agreed between such professional sports governing body or sporting events operator and the applicable licensee, each such licensee shall be required to use only official league data or official event data, as applicable, to determine the results of tier 2 sports wagers on sporting events sanctioned by such professional sports governing body or sporting events operator, except when:

(A) The professional sports governing body or sporting events operator, or a designee thereof, is unable to provide a feed of official league data or official event data to determine the results of a particular type of tier 2 sports wager, in which case licensees may use any data source for determining the results of the applicable tier 2 sports wager until the data feed becomes available on commercially reasonable terms and conditions; or

(B) A licensee is able to demonstrate to the corporation that the professional sports governing body or sporting events operator, or a designee thereof, will not provide a feed of official league data or official event data to the licensee on commercially reasonable terms and conditions.

(3) The following is a nonexclusive list of factors the corporation may consider in evaluating whether official league data or official event data is being offered on commercially reasonable terms and conditions for purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) of this subsection:

(A) The availability of tier 2 official league data of a professional sports governing body or tier 2 official event data of a sporting events operator to a licensee from more than one authorized source;

(B) Market information, including, without limitation, price and other terms and conditions, regarding the purchase of comparable data by licensees for the purpose of settling sports wagers, for use in this state or other jurisdictions;

(C) The nature and quantity of the official league data or official event data, including, without limitation, its speed, accuracy, reliability, and overall quality as compared to comparable nonofficial data;

(D) The quality and complexity of the process used to collect and distribute the official league data or official event data as compared to comparable nonofficial data;

(E) The extent to which professional sports governing bodies or sporting events operators, or designees thereof, have made available to licensees the data used to settle the results of tier 2 sports wagers and any terms and conditions relating to the use of such data; and

(F) The extent to which licensees have purchased the same or similar official league data or official event data on the same or similar terms, particularly in jurisdictions where such purchase was not required by law or was required by law but only if offered on commercially reasonable terms.

(4) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Code section, including, without limitation, paragraph (2) of this subsection, while the corporation is evaluating whether a professional sports governing body or a sporting events operator, or the designee thereof, will provide a feed of official league data or official event data on commercially reasonable terms and conditions pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection, licensees are not required to use official league data or official event data for determining the results of tier 2 sports wagers.

(5) The corporation shall make a determination under paragraph (3) of this subsection within 60 days after the licensee notifies the corporation that it desires to demonstrate that the professional sports governing body or sporting events operator, or a designee thereof, will not provide a feed of official league data or official event data to such licensee on commercially reasonable terms and conditions.

Part 7

50-27-190.

Members of the corporation or designated employees thereof may, during normal business hours, enter the premises of any facility of a licensee, or a third party utilized by the licensee to operate and conduct business in accordance with this article, for the purpose of inspecting books and records kept as required by this article to ensure that the licensee is in compliance with this article or to make any other inspection of the premises necessary to protect the public interests of this state and its consumers.

50-27-191.

(a) The corporation, licensees, corporation vendors, and vendors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with investigations conducted by any professional sports governing body, any sporting events operator, and law enforcement agencies, including, but not limited to, using commercially reasonable efforts to provide or facilitate the provision of betting information.

(b) Licensees shall promptly report to the corporation any information relating to:

(1) Abnormal betting activity or patterns that may indicate a concern with the integrity of a sporting event; and

(2) Conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of a sporting event for purposes of financial gain, including match fixing.

(c) Licensees shall, as soon as is practicable, report any information relating to conduct described in subsection (b) of this Code section to the professional sports governing body or sporting events operator.

(d) Licensees shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain, in real time and at the account level, anonymized information regarding a bettor; the amount and type of bet; the time the bet was placed; the location of the bet, including the internet protocol address if applicable; the outcome of the bet; and records of abnormal betting activity for three years after the sporting event occurs. The corporation may request such information in the form and manner required by the rules and regulations of the corporation. As used in this subsection, the term 'real time' means on a commercially reasonable periodic interval.

(e) All records, documents, and information received by the corporation pursuant to this Code section shall be considered investigative records of a law enforcement agency, shall not be subject to Article 4 of Chapter 18 of this title, and shall not be released under any condition without the permission of the person providing such records, documents, or information.

(f) Nothing in this Code section shall require a sports betting licensee to provide any information that is prohibited by federal, state, or local laws or rules and regulations, including, without limitation, laws and rules and regulations relating to privacy and personally identifiable information.

(g) If a professional sports governing body or sporting events operator has notified the corporation that access to the information described in subsection (d) of this Code section for wagers placed on its sporting events is necessary to monitor the integrity of its sporting events and represents to the corporation that it specifically uses such data for the purpose of monitoring the integrity of sporting events of such professional sports governing body or sporting events operator, then licensees shall share, in a commercially reasonable frequency, form, and manner, with the professional sports governing body or sporting events operator, or a designee thereof, the same information the licensee is required to maintain under subsection (d) of this Code section with respect to sports wagers on such a body's or operator's sporting events. A professional sports governing body or sporting events operator, or a designee thereof, shall use information received under this subsection for integrity-monitoring purposes only and shall not use such information for commercial or any other purposes. Nothing in this subsection shall require a licensee to provide any information that is prohibited by federal, state, or local laws, rules, or regulations, including, but not limited to, laws, rules, or regulations relating to privacy and personally identifiable information.

50-27-192.

The corporation shall assist in any investigations by law enforcement to determine whether:

(1) A licensee is accepting wagers from minors or other persons ineligible to place wagers under Code Section 50-27-162; and

(2) An individual is unlawfully accepting wagers from another individual without a 1000 license or at a location in violation of this article. 1001 50-27-193.

1002 (a) The corporation may investigate and conduct a hearing with respect to a licensee upon 1003 information and belief that the licensee has violated the provisions of this article or upon 1004 the receipt of a credible complaint from any person that a licensee has violated the 1005 provisions of this article. The corporation shall conduct investigations and hearings in 1006 accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the corporation. 1007 (b) If the corporation determines that a licensee has violated any provision of this article 1008 or any rules and regulations of the corporation, the corporation may suspend, revoke, or 1009 refuse to renew a license; impose an administrative fine not to exceed $25,000.00 per 1010 violation; or both.

1011 (c) The corporation shall promulgate rules and regulations establishing a schedule of 1012 administrative fines that may be assessed in accordance with subsection (b) of this Code 1013 section for each violation of this article; provided, however, if the corporation finds that: 1014 (1) A licensee is accepting wagers from minors or other persons ineligible to place 1015 wagers in this state, the corporation shall impose a fine against the licensee as follows: 1016 (A) For a first offense, $1,000.00;

1017 (B) For a second offense, $2,000.00; and

1018 (C) For a third or subsequent offense, $5,000.00; or 1019 (2) An individual is unlawfully accepting wagers from another individual without a 1020 license, the corporation shall impose a fine against the individual as follows: 1021 (A) For a first offense, $10,000.00;

1022 (B) For a second offense, $15,000.00; and

1023 (C) For a third or subsequent offense, $25,000.00. 1024 (d) The corporation may refer conduct that it reasonably believes is a violation of Article 2 1025 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 to the appropriate law enforcement agency. 1026 50-27-194.

1027 (a) Any person that violates any provision of this article shall be liable for a civil penalty 1028 of not more than $5,000.00 per violation, not to exceed $50,000.00 for violations arising 1029 out of the same transaction or occurrence, which shall accrue to the corporation and may 1030 be recovered in a civil action brought by or on behalf of the corporation. 1031 (b) The corporation may seek and obtain an injunction in a court of competent jurisdiction 1032 for purposes of enforcing this article.

1033 (c) Costs shall not be taxed against the corporation or this state for actions brought under 1034 this article.

1035 50-27-195.

1036 (a) Fines assessed under this article shall be accounted for separately for use by the 1037 corporation in a manner consistent with the rules and regulations of the corporation. 1038 (b) The corporation may issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the 1039 production of relevant books, accounts, records, and documents for purposes of carrying 1040 out its duties under this article.

1041 50-27-196.

1042 (a) A licensee or other individual aggrieved by a final decision or action of the corporation 1043 may appeal such decision or action to the Superior Court of Fulton County. 1044 (b) The Superior Court of Fulton County shall hear appeals from decisions or actions of 1045 the corporation and, based upon the record of the proceedings before the corporation, may 1046 reverse the decision or action of the corporation only if the appellant proves the decision 1047 or action to be:

1048 (1) Clearly erroneous;

1049 (2) Arbitrary and capricious;

1050 (3) Procured by fraud;

1051 (4) A result of substantial misconduct by the corporation; or 1052 (5) Contrary to the United States Constitution, the Constitution of Georgia, or this article. 1053 (c) The Superior Court of Fulton County may remand an appeal to the corporation to 1054 conduct further hearings.

1055 50-27-197.

1056 (a) It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, to knowingly receive, supply, 1057 broadcast, display, or otherwise transmit material nonpublic information for the purpose 1058 of betting on a sporting event or influencing another individual's or entity's wager on a 1059 sporting event.

1060 (b) This Code section shall not apply to the dissemination of public information as news, 1061 entertainment, or advertising.

1062 (c) Any person in violation of this Code section shall be indefinitely prohibited from 1063 placing a wager, be required to forfeit the proceeds of any illegal wager, and be guilty of 1064 a misdemeanor."

1065 PART III

1066 SECTION 3-1.

1067 Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, 1068 relating to gambling, is amended by revising paragraphs (1) and (2) of Code Section 1069 16-12-20, relating to definitions, as follows:

1070 "(1) 'Bet' means an agreement that, dependent upon chance even though accompanied 1071 by some skill, one stands to win or lose something of value. A bet does not include: 1072 (A) Contracts of indemnity or guaranty or life, health, property, or accident insurance; 1073 or

1074 (B) An offer of a prize, award, or compensation to the actual contestants in any bona 1075 fide contest for the determination of skill, speed, strength, or endurance or to the owners 1076 of animals, vehicles, watercraft, or aircraft entered in such contest; or 1077 (C) Money paid in compliance with Chapter 27 of Title 50. 1078 (2) 'Gambling device' means:

1079 (A) Any contrivance which for a consideration affords the player an opportunity to 1080 obtain money or other thing of value, the award of which is determined by chance even 1081 though accompanied by some skill, whether or not the prize is automatically paid by 1082 contrivance;

1083 (B) Any slot machine or any simulation or variation thereof; 1084 (C) Any matchup or lineup game machine or device, operated for any consideration, 1085 in which two or more numerals, symbols, letters, or icons align in a winning 1086 combination on one or more lines vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or otherwise, 1087 without assistance by the player. Use of skill stops shall not be considered assistance 1088 by the player; or

1089 (D) Any video game machine or device, operated for any consideration, for the play 1090 of poker, blackjack, any other card game, or keno or any simulation or variation of any 1091 of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, any game in which numerals, numbers, 1092 or any pictures, representations, or symbols are used as an equivalent or substitute for 1093 cards in the conduct of such game.

1094 Any item described in ~~subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of~~ this paragraph that is not 1095 authorized by Chapter 27 of Title 50, or exempted by this part, shall be a prohibited 1096 gambling device subject to and prohibited by this part, notwithstanding any inference to 1097 the contrary in any other law of this state."

1098 SECTION 3-2.

1099 Said part is further amended by revising Code Section 16-12-27, relating to advertisement 1100 or solicitation for participation in lotteries, as follows: 1101 "16-12-27.

1102 (a) It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, firm, corporation, or other entity to 1103 sell, distribute, televise, broadcast, or disseminate any advertisement, television or radio 1104 commercial, or any book, magazine, periodical, newspaper, or other written or printed 1105 matter containing an advertisement or solicitation for participation in any lottery declared 1106 to be unlawful by the laws of this state unless such advertisement, commercial, or 1107 solicitation contains or includes the words 'void in Georgia' printed or spoken so as to be 1108 clearly legible or audible to persons viewing or hearing such advertisement, commercial, 1109 or solicitation.

1110 (b) Any person, partnership, firm, corporation, or other entity violating subsection (a) of 1111 this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

1112 (c) This Code section shall not apply to any advertisement or solicitation for participation 1113 in a lottery game of online sports betting by any person licensed under Article 4 of Chapter 1114 27 of Title 50 that concerns such licensee's lawful activities." 1115 SECTION 3-3.

1116 Said part is further amended by revising Code Section 16-12-28, relating to communicating 1117 gambling information, as follows:

1118 "16-12-28.

1119 (a) A person who knowingly communicates information as to bets, betting odds, or 1120 changes in betting odds or who knowingly installs or maintains equipment for the 1121 transmission or receipt of such information with the intent to further gambling commits the 1122 offense of communicating gambling information.

1123 (b) A person who commits the offense of communicating gambling information, upon 1124 conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than 1125 five years or by a fine not to exceed $5,000.00, or both. 1126 (c) This Code section shall not apply to the activities authorized under Article 4 of Chapter 1127 27 of Title 50."

1128 PART IV

1129 SECTION 4-1.

1130 Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to revenue and taxation, is 1131 amended by revising paragraph (55) of Code Section 48-8-3, relating to exemptions from 1132 state sales and use tax, as follows:

1133 "(55) The sale of lottery tickets authorized by Chapter 27 of Title 50 or wagers 1134 authorized by Article 4 of Chapter 27 of Title 50;" 1135 PART V

1136 SECTION 5-1.

1137 This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law 1138 without such approval.

1139 SECTION 5-2.

1140 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.