Backers of a casino gambling bill in Georgia said the success or failure of the measure, which would allow six casinos in the state, including two in Atlanta, depends on how much it could help the HOPE scholarship program. The sponsor of HB677, state Rep. Ron Stephens said, “Everything now seems to be focused around how we get the needs-based piece rolled into the HOPE scholarship. And we’re going to have to have that in some form to get enough votes to get it passed.”
Supporters have stated casino gambling revenue would create a substantial surplus in the scholarship fund. Stephens said most likely that surplus would fund a needs-based college scholarship for lower-income Georgians.
Stephens noted the fate of his measure is connected to SB 264, which would allow parimutuel betting at horse races and recently passed out of a Senate committee. Both bills are constitutional amendments requiring a two-thirds vote of the legislature, followed by a voter referendum.
However, Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle recently stated, “I certainly don’t feel there’s a rush to bring casinos to Georgia. These are issues that need to be vetted very, very carefully. And typically when you do it in haste, you don’t always get the product that you’re looking for.”
Cagle, a Republican who is expected to fun for governor in 2018, added, “I do think it’s going to be a longer process. And there is a place where casinos might be very beneficial. But with that being said, it’s going to take a lot more time to craft something that I think will be amenable to the general assembly.” He said he believes a vote will take place on the Senate bill to legalize horse racing and parimutuel betting.
