FanDuel Enters Georgia Before Legal Sports Betting

FanDuel has entered Georgia, months or probably years before legal sports betting could, through its $15 million technology hub in Atlanta. The New York-based sportsbook will collaborate with Georgia’s higher education system to train students for careers in the tech industry. The FanDuel-led initiative will create nearly 900 jobs in the Peach State.

FanDuel’s 68,000-square-foot technology campus will be located in Midtown. The new jobs will be focused on information technology, software engineering, program design, and product development.

The company will particularly focus on the state’s historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), institutions that were established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to serve the African-American community.

Governor Welcomes FanDuel into Georgia

While announcing the project on Tuesday, Gov. Brian P. Kemp said he is proud to welcome FanDuel in Georgia, hoping to see the countless opportunities FanDuel-led initiative would create for the hard-working residents across metro Atlanta.

“FanDuel’s decision to build a tech hub in the Peach State is a testament to our top-class universities and tech training programs, in addition to the diverse ecosystem of pro sports leagues and teams we’ve cultivated here.”

The Georgia Department of Economic Development estimates the creation of over 900 jobs over the next five years.

It is not disclosed what tax-related incentives will be awarded to the Flutter-owned company in this public-private partnership.

FanDuel to Delve in Georgia’s Education Sector

FanDuel’s giant tech office in Midtown will collaborate with the Peach State’s higher education system to train students for technology careers. The facility will work on information technology, software engineering, product development, and program design.

The sportsbook operator will help formulate curriculums to fulfill positions in the tech industry, besides hosting resume workshops, mock interviews, and offering mentorship programs.

“We are thrilled about this opportunity to partner with FanDuel, with Georgia’s public colleges and universities extending some of the best courses and advanced technology training in the US to help it thrive in Atlanta and Georgia,” University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley said.

Wrigley said a number of institutions in Georgia distinguish themselves for preparing the graduates for careers in this dynamic industry, training them critical skills that companies require to create jobs and drive the state economy.

‘Atlanta Welcomes FanDuel’

While FanDuel pushes its entry into Georgia through another channel, Georgia has yet to legalize sports betting in the state. However, the sportsbook’s initiative will bring an economic boost to the state economy.

FanDuel Chief Product Officer Sarah Butterfass said in a statement, “During this process, it became clear that Atlanta provided FanDuel with a winning combination of access to a thriving tech cluster, reputed educational institutions that were partnered with the company, and a diverse and welcoming community looking for our arrival.”

What’s Georgia Sports Betting Current Status?

Efforts to legalize online sports betting in Georgia House failed in the final days of the 2021 legislative session after Democrats refused to vote the measure, leaving Republicans to see the sports betting bill hibernating beyond the 2022 referendum.

The state law requires voters’ approval to amend sports betting before the lawmakers devise further regulatory work to launch the industry. The Senate had passed both the ballot measure bill and a companion regulatory measure a few weeks before the political differences delayed a constitutional amendment that would have asked the voters whether they want to see sports betting on the 2022 ballot.

Kemp is also a traditional opponent of legalized gambling but he said he wouldn’t mind if a majority of voters back the idea.