Georgia Sports Betting Initiative Faces New Challenge
Georgia's effort to legalize sports betting is facing a new hurdle after Rep. Marcus Wiedower, who had been a proponent of legalized betting, announced his resignation.
Wiedower, who was sworn into office in 2019 representing House District 121, introduced two measures in this year's legislative session aimed at establishing legal Georgia sports betting. One of the bills would have put the issue on a statewide ballot. However, neither received full legislative approval.
The first measure, House Bill 686, provided a regulatory framework for online sports betting, including 16 licenses and a 24% tax rate on revenue. The companion resolution, House Resolution 450, sought to place a constitutional amendment on the November 2026 ballot allowing voters to decide on legalizing sports betting in Georgia.
Wiedower's legislative efforts excluded brick-and-mortar casinos, kiosks, and horse racing. The focus was strictly on online sports wagering under the oversight of the Georgia Lottery.
Wiedower's resignation raises questions about who will lead future efforts and whether momentum will be maintained. Three other representatives had co-sponsored both bills, so the loss of the principal sponsor leaves a void.
Previous attempts at legalization have repeatedly stalled. Several bills failed to reach a House vote this year due to partisan disagreements over revenue allocation and whether a constitutional amendment was needed.
A key barrier remains Georgia's state constitution, which prohibits gambling unless the voters approve an amendment. Any legalization bill must either go directly to a statewide referendum or restructure gambling as part of the lottery.
NBA Betting Scandal Snares Georgia Residents
News of Wiedower’s resignation coincided with federal action in Middle Georgia, where three men have been charged in connection with a wide-reaching NBA gambling scandal. Investigators say the criminal network spanned 11 states, involved more than 30 participants, and defrauded players of roughly $7 million since 2019.
Federal agents described the organization as an underground ring that manipulated high-stakes poker games using advanced cheating tools. Devices such as tampered card shufflers, concealed cameras, and even specialized contact lenses were allegedly used to identify cards and control outcomes.
Authorities also referenced the use of an X-ray table in the scheme. Well-known sports figures, including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA guard Damon Jones, were also arrested.
Those detained in Georgia include 52-year-old Tony Goodson of Forsyth and 43-year-old John Mazzola of Gray, along with Kenny Hans, 40, of Queens, New York, who was taken into custody while in the state. All three were later released on bond and are facing potential charges for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
Investigators emphasized that while players understood they were joining illegal games, they did not know that the contests were being manipulated for profit.
