Metro Atlanta Chamber fighting for legalized sports betting in Georgia

ATLANTA — A group says it will continue fighting to make sports betting legal in Georgia.

It’s been a battle for years, and even though lawmakers struck it down for the year, supporters say they are not giving up.

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Channel 2′s Veronica Griffin was live on WSB Tonight at 11 p.m. near Mercedes Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena.

Legal sports betting is supported by Atlanta’s big three professional teams. The Metro Atlanta Chamber, which helped lead the charge for legal sports betting, says it lost but there’s always next year.

At Hudson’s Grill in downtown Atlanta, you’ll find fans watching games and talking sports.

Tuesday, the talk was about the final score on Monday, which was another loss for legal sports betting in Georgia.

Avid sports better, Keith Evans, is not surprised legalized sports betting was defeated again this year.

“I guess Georgia will be the last to table like we always are,” said Evans.

Atlanta’s major sports teams supported the legislation, which would have brought in money for the Hope Scholarship.

Ultimately, for a variety of reasons, conservatives in the Georgia Senate voted against it this week, and the house didn’t even vote on it Monday.

“I’m not surprised. I kind of expected because we’re in the bible belt,” said Tony Claiborne, sports fan.

The Metro Atlanta Chamber says it will continue to work with the general assembly to pass future legislation. It sent a statement to Channel 2 Action News that read in part:

“We seek to provide a safe, secure, legal frame-work that puts Georgia on the same playing field as 36 other states while making significant investments in education for generations to come.”

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Claiborne said he’s not one to gamble on sports, but feels it should be an option for Georgians who want to do it here responsibly.

“Of course, there is a risk with addiction. But if don’t put the same constraints on alcohol consumption for example, then I don’t understand why we’re picking which addictions we’re going to police,” said Claiborne.

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