TIFTON — The county board of commissioners have expressed their support for state-level legislature placing the discussion of gambling up for vote by their constituents.

In a 6-1 decision with only commissioner Stan Stalnaker opposed, the county commissioners elected to back a resolution during their Feb. 10 meeting that would allow for their constituents to vote on the potential legalization of sport gaming within the state.

County manager Jim Carter first reported during the board’s January meetings that Carden Summers, District 13 state senator and a sponsor of the resolution, had requested Tift County’s support for the proposition, which would place the question of lifting the state gambling ban on a future ballot.

The resolution, SR 131, will allow for the operation of and engaging in sports betting and gambling activities, as well as a tax and revenue system on those activities. The bill will need to be approved in both the state House and Senate with a two-thirds majority for it to be placed up for a vote on the 2026 general election ballot.

Carter stressed that Summers was only asking for the county’s support of a vote, not an opinion on the matter of the issue.