Gambling and sports betting are garnering support in Georgia, but there’s still a long way to go
Casinos are back on the agenda in the Georgia General Assembly after the state Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee authorized proposing a constitutional amendment on Thursday that permits Georgia voters to choose whether to legalize sports betting and casinos.
More than 80,000 Georgians are already traveling across state lines to play at casinos each year, according to the bill’s chief sponsor, Sen. Carden Summers (R-Cordele). The downside is that the taxes and employment opportunities generated by those casinos don’t return to Georgia.
Summers highlighted the funds generated by the Georgia Lottery for HOPE Scholarship and pre-kindergarten students as a measure of what legalized gambling has done for the state, saying, “The lottery’s been wonderful for our children.”
Senate Resolution 538 requires that 50% of tax revenue from sports betting and casinos would help benefit transportation improvements. An additional 20% would be earmarked for pre-kindergarten and child-care programs.
The remaining 30% would be split equally between gambling addiction and mental health programs, rural health care and Historically Black Colleges and Universities within Georgia.
Business and political leaders from Henry, Liberty and Columbus counties expressed support for the bill, highlighting the likely economic impact of casinos. Senate Resolution 538 would authorize the construction of five casinos throughout the state.
However, Mike Griffin, who represents the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, voiced that discussing the economic benefits of legal gambling ignores the social costs involved, saying that casinos would bring about a rise in addictive gambling, suicide and sex trafficking.
The bill moves on to the Senate Rules Committee to be scheduled for a floor vote.
