In a press release from the outlet, a national gaming entity has recently named a Georgia lawmaker as one of the best advocates of gaming in the country. Per the release, the American Gambling Awards announced Georgia State Representative Marcus Wiedower as the 2025 Policymaker of the Year. The American Gambling Awards, produced by Gambling.com Group Limited (Nasdaq: GAMB) (“Gambling.com Group” or the “Group”), honor the top companies and executives shaping the regulated U.S. online gambling landscape and are recognized as a benchmark for excellence in the sector. Rep. Wiedwoer championed online sports betting in Georgia this year, working across the aisle to build support despite significant opposition and questions about constitutional requirements.
For this report, SBS will be going over the latest gaming news coming from Georgia, along with a variety of other thoughts and info coming from the state and beyond.
Referenced in the release, the Georgia businessman is a staunch gaming advocate if it can be regulated in a thoughtful way in the state. Per the release, “I am honored to be recognized as the 2025 Policymaker of the Year,” Marcus Wiedower (R-Georgia) said. “This acknowledgement reflects not just my work, but the importance of building consensus and listening to voices across the aisle. Expanding access to safe and responsible online sports betting in Georgia is about creating opportunities, supporting state programs, and ensuring fair regulation. I look forward to continuing this work and helping Georgia realize the potential of a well-regulated market.”
Earlier this year, Rep. Wiedower sponsored legislation to legalize online sports betting in Georgia that included a fair tax rate and allocated new revenue to state programs, including funding for problem gambling initiatives. He focused on practical measures and bipartisan cooperation, even as other factions pushed for additional provisions such as retail casinos and iGaming.
Covered in the report, those at the AGA saw what Rep. Wiedower was doing for gaming advocacy in the state as particularly exemplary. “Representative Marcus Wiedower has demonstrated remarkable leadership and vision in advancing online sports betting conversation in Georgia,” Charles Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Gambling.com Group, said. “His pragmatic approach sets a model for policymakers nationwide. This recognition as Policymaker of the Year highlights his determination in tackling a complex issue and underscores his impact on the broader discussion around safe, regulated sports betting throughout the Southeast.”
Throughout the 2025 legislative session, Rep. Wiedoweer was a prominent voice for online sports betting in Georgia. Notably engaging lawmakers, stakeholders, and the media to advance informed discussion and highlight the potential benefits of fair, regulated expansion. His advocacy helped elevate the issue in the public eye and reinforce the importance of a balanced, responsible approach to policy development.
Noted on his official page, Wiedower recently resigned from the Georgia House in October 2025 in order to pursue a “business opportunity.” Prior to that, on November 6, 2018, Wiedower won the election and became a Republican member of the Georgia House of Representatives for District 119. Wiedower defeated Jonathan Wallace with 52.78% of the votes. Moreover, on November 3, 2020, as an incumbent, Wiedower won the election and continued serving District 119, defeating Wallace again with 54.85% of the votes.
A true Georgia success story, Wiedower was born in Atlanta in 1975, and in 1999, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia, where he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Additionally, he is a former president of companies in the construction industry. Wiedower is a former owner of Blueprint Builders, a building contractor in Georgia, and he is also a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty in the state.
In 2016, Wiedower campaigned for a seat as County Commissioner of Oconee County, Georgia, but he was defeated by Chuck Horton. While it remains to be seen what his next move will be, it no doubt will have some gaming exposure given his new networking ties to the gambling industry. Of course, it is anyone’s guess on what the former legislator’s next move will be, as this seems to be an interesting new development in the state. Conversely, it will also be somewhat of a mystery as to who will take over for him as the chief advocate of gambling in Georgia, as it pertains to the state legislature. This mantle, given the economic and political pressures, will be one that will no doubt be a coveted one.
After you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gaming news and notes coming from the Peach State, make sure to check out the excellent array of info available to you at SBS. Of course, for even more analysis on the topic in this report, the Georgia sports betting guide is a must-read page that goes over all of the latest topics coming from the state. Moreover, for those interested and eligible in another outlet, the BetOnline sportsbook review rundown is a must-read page. In this guide, you can learn more about the perks of gaming with the website and whether it might make sense for you. Finally, for those interested in some higher stakes wagering, look no further than the VIP sports betting sites breakdown, which goes over an excellent array of information and analysis about VIP betting.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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