President-elect Donald Trump was able to win Georgia by a slim 2.2% vote - and Trump's supporters in the state may ask him to back sports betting as well. In an op-ed for an Atlanta newspaper, Senator Brandon Beach stated that many of the people who backed Trump in the last election also want the state to finally approve sports betting.

In a closely contested election last month, Donald Trump claimed victory in Georgia, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris by a slim 2.2% margin. This marked a significant reversal from his narrow loss to President Biden in the state four years earlier. Now, a prominent Georgia politician argues that many of the voters who propelled Trump to success also support legalizing sports betting - and it's time for lawmakers to listen.

State Senator Brandon Beach made his case in an opinion-editorial for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Beach highlighted the overlap between Trump supporters and proponents of sports wagering, emphasizing that the will of the voters should drive legislative action forward. "The Georgia Republican Party also placed the question of sports betting on the primary ballot this past May," he wrote. "Republican primary voters were asked, 'Would you support a statewide vote to allow gaming in Georgia so the voters can decide this issue instead of politicians in Atlanta?' The result was overwhelming. More than 81% of voters agreed this issue should be decided by the voters through a statewide vote. So why do Republicans keep denying our base that opportunity?"

Georgia: a prime candidate for sports betting expansion

Georgia, the ninth-largest state by population, remains one of just three top-20 states - alongside Texas and California - without any form of regulated sports betting. While California and Texas are often seen as the ultimate prizes for gaming companies due to their massive populations, both states face significant political and logistical hurdles to legalization. This has then shifted industry focus to Georgia as the most viable large state to embrace sports wagering.

But despite its potential, Georgia has repeatedly disappointed proponents of sports betting. Efforts to pass legislation have failed multiple times, including earlier in the year. These failures have left industry observers and bettors frustrated, especially as other states continue to expand their gaming markets.

Democrat Stacey Abrams supported legalizing sports betting during her 2022 campaign for governor, but her loss to incumbent Governor Brian Kemp halted any momentum on the issue. However, Kemp's stance on sports betting has reportedly softened, creating a potential opening for future discussions.

Voter support and economic potential

For Senator Beach, allowing a statewide vote on sports betting is about more than just aligning with voter preferences - it's also about securing Georgia's position as a top destination for major sporting events. "Republicans will only have ourselves to blame when FIFA, the NFL, the NCAA, and others decide Georgia isn't a fan-friendly state to locate big games because of our refusal to legalize sports betting," he argued.

The economic implications are substantial. Legal sports betting could generate significant tax revenue, create jobs, and attract high-profile events to the state. Moreover, the demand is already evident. According to Beach, Georgia is a hotspot for searches related to illegal and offshore betting platforms (like Bovada). GeoComply, a firm specializing in geolocation services for regulated sportsbooks, reported a 100% increase in players based in Georgia attempting to access legal betting sites in other states compared to the previous year.

The Trump factor

While there is no definitive data linking Trump's Georgia voters to support for sports betting, the circumstantial evidence is compelling. Trump's victory in the state coincided with consistently high polling numbers for sports wagering. Beach's op-ed suggests that many of the same voters who backed Trump also favor giving residents the right to decide on sports betting through a statewide referendum.

As Georgia continues to grapple with the future of sports betting, the stakes are high. The state's refusal to legalize wagering risks alienating voters and losing out on lucrative economic opportunities. For proponents like Senator Beach, the path forward is clear: "It's time to let the people decide."