The Georgia State Legislature convened on March 5, 2025, to discuss significant measures related to higher education and sports betting. The meeting focused on House Bill 686, known as the Georgia Sports Betting Act, which aims to regulate online sports betting in the state.

Chairman Weidower presented the bill, highlighting its key features, including the introduction of two-factor authentication for accounts and the elimination of promotional activities for online sports betting. The bill proposes a master license for the lottery and allows for a total of 16 licenses, with some allocated to various sports teams in Georgia. A tax rate of 20% on sports betting revenue is also included, with provisions to eliminate credit card usage for betting.

During the discussion, an amendment was proposed to increase the tax rate from 20% to 24%. This change is expected to generate an additional $40 million in revenue, which would be directed toward funding universal pre-kindergarten programs in the state. The amendment received support and was duly seconded, prompting further discussion among committee members.

The committee ultimately moved to pass the original measure, with a recommendation for it to proceed to the rules committee. The meeting concluded with a sense of collaboration among members, emphasizing the importance of the bill in enhancing both regulatory measures and educational funding in Georgia.