Since 2018, when a U.S. Supreme Court decision made it possible for any state to legalize sports gambling, nearly half have done so. “Sports wagering is currently legal in 22 states,” said Republican state Sen. Jeff Mullis. “Around us: Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana … and Florida is taking it up this year as well.” Mullis estimates that if Georgians were allowed to bet on professional sports through their phones it would bring in $40 million a year for The HOPE Scholarship. His bill has bipartisan support, but it has been slowed by the uncertainty over whether voters would have to approve through a constitutional amendment allowing sports betting under the umbrella of the Georgia Lottery.