Wynn Resorts and Boyd Gaming lobby for legalized casinos in Georgia
Casino giants are making their case for a future in Georgia, where the question of legalized gambling continues to resurface. Wynn Resorts and Boyd Gaming executives recently spoke before the Georgia House of Representatives study committee on gaming, voicing strong support for potential casino development if constitutional restrictions are lifted.
Christopher Gordon, president of Wynn Resorts and Wynn Development, pointed to the company’s $2.6 billion Encore Boston Harbor project as an example of the impact a large-scale resort can have. Since opening in 2019, that Massachusetts property has generated more than $1 billion in gaming tax revenue for the state. Gordon told legislators a comparable project in Georgia could create as many as 4,000 jobs and serve as a significant economic driver.
Boyd Gaming echoed that stance through Ryan Soultz, its vice president of government affairs, who said the company is eager to expand into the Southeast. Soultz emphasized that Georgia represents an attractive new market for the industry, and Boyd would be prepared to pursue opportunities if voters eventually approve legalization.
The discussion comes against a backdrop of repeated failed efforts to expand gaming in Georgia. Lawmakers have debated various forms of gambling, including casinos and sports betting, for seven straight years without passing a measure. In March, legislation that would have sent the issue to voters stalled once again. A 2018 proposal allowing casinos at three locations across the state also lost momentum before reaching the ballot.
Still, the push for legalization is not fading. Legislators are expected to revisit the issue in January, with a potential measure possibly heading to the November 2026 ballot. Industry advocates argue the tax revenue and job creation benefits are too significant to ignore. Real estate experts have already floated potential sites, including Midtown and Downtown Atlanta, land near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and even Savannah as prime candidates for development.
Georgia remains one of the largest states without legalized casinos or sports betting, but with heavyweights like Wynn and Boyd signaling readiness, pressure on lawmakers is likely to grow.
