Georgia lawmakers are cracking down on sports betting and casinos
If some lawmakers get their way, Georgia voters may have a chance next year to decide whether to welcome casinos, racetracks and mobile sports betting to the state.
State Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, said he plans to introduce a bill as soon as the Legislature convenes in January to put a gambling measure on next year's state ballot. Beach hopes to bring three casino resorts, a pari-mutuel racetrack and mobile sports betting to the Peach State.
If we can offer three destination resorts, a racetrack and sports betting, you're talking about $900 million in revenue for the state," Beach said during Wednesday's session of the Legislature's joint economic development meeting On the Taohe Tourism Committee, of which he is co-chairman.
Beach's proposed legislation would ask voters if they want to amend the Georgia constitution to authorize a new contest. He noted that sports betting and casinos are legal in many neighboring states, which affects Georgia's tourism and economic development.
Georgia Tourist
Recently, Beach visited Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort in North Carolina, about an hour's drive from the state line, and noticed that 85 percent of the cars in the parking lot had Georgia license plates.
We fund the education system in North Carolina and the Georgia license plate hangs in the gambling district," he said."I think that's something we have to leave to the voters. "
Beach said his goal is to eventually see a luxury casino resort in Atlanta, pointing to the Wynn Encore Boston Harbor as an example of what he'd like to see.
"I don't want the Strip. But what I really want is a Wynn-style facility that is a destination," Beach said. He expects the casino resort to include event venues, spas, restaurants and high-end retail brands such as Versace and Gucci.
Financing infrastructure, education
The bill discussed Wednesday was sent to committee members in draft form. But he said adjustments could still be made before launch.
Beach said at the meeting that the legislation would allocate revenue from casinos, horse racing and sports betting to several priorities, including infrastructure development, health care and education.
Half of the proceeds will go toward a freight and logistics fund aimed at improving road, bridge and rail connectivity in key focus areas such as around the Port of Savannah.
The other half would go to health care and education, with 20 percent going to a rural health fund, 20 percent to combat gambling and mental health, and 10 percent to a fund earmarked for the state's historically black colleges and universities.
Beach said he could also include language in the legislation that would use a portion of gambling revenue to create a fund to attract major events like the Super Bowl or Final Four to Georgia. He said Texas has $100 million in state funds to attract such events, whereas hosting large events in Georgia previously required organizers to raise private donations.
If voters approve the proposed constitutional amendment, lawmakers will be directed to pass a law establishing a new gambling commission to regulate gambling activities.
Next step
The Georgia Legislature is currently in a special session called by Gov. Brian Kemp (R) to consider the new ballot initiative and a number of other important issues, which prevents Beach from bringing it forward before the next regular session on Jan. 8 his bill.
Georgia is seen as one of the best hopes for expanding sports betting in 2024, after similar efforts stalled previously.
However, it remains to be seen whether casinos and pari-mutuel pits will also join in. Sports betting is more likely to succeed in the state and may not require a new constitutional amendment.
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Source: www.casino.org
