Casino gaming would come to Georgia, one of the last states without casino gaming in close proximity, if a series of measures passed by a House committee come to fruition.
A bill that would set up a gaming commission would also allow four casinos in the state, two in Atlanta. It also sets a gross gaming revenue tax rate of 20 percent, up from previous proposals that called for six casinos and a 12 percent tax rate. A second bill establishes a constitutional referendum permitting gaming and subsequent local votes that would approve casinos in various jurisdictions.
The impetus for casinos is a shortfall in revenue for the “HOPE” scholarship program that guarantees a college education to every Georgia student that qualifies by reaching a certain grade point average. Last year, according to sponsor Rep. Ron Stephens the fund dropped to only 70 percent funding, stressing that casinos would replace that funding. Up to 90 percent of gaming taxes would be dedicated to HOPE.
Stephens sought to allay fears that casinos would spread all over the state, saying the local referendums would prevent that.
“It’s not coming unless you want it,” he said.
The committee’s OK means the bill could reach the House floor on Monday. Bills must pass at least one chamber of the legislature before the 30th day of the legislative session to be considered.
Meanwhile, the Central Atlanta Progress and Atlanta Downtown Improvement District groups have hired Horwath HTL and HLT Advisory Inc. to conduct an independent study of the possible impact of casino gambling. The study also will analyze how gaming could affect downtown development.
A.J. Robinson, head of CAP and ADID, said, “To be as frank as I can, there’s not enough data out there for people to really understand the pros and cons and how this will affect particularly Atlanta. We’re business folks. We’d like to look and analyze and see what this is really all about. There’s a lot of data out there, but it hasn’t been presented to us or really anyone in a way to make an intelligent decision.” He said the report should be completed before March 24.
Robinson added the study will examine casinos’ impact throughout Georgia, which currently allows only a lottery and some charitable games. Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts and Wynn Resorts are interested in investing billions of dollars if casino gambling is legalized. The companies have armies of lobbyists stationed at the capitol.
