At the first Republican gubernatorial forum in Milledgeville, Georgia, all four leading GOP candidates for governor pledged their opposition to legalizing casino gambling in the state. The election will be held in November 2018 to replace a term-limited Nathan Deal.
Candidates included Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle, former state Senator Hunter Hill, state Senator Michael Williams and Secretary of State Brian Kemp. Each said he would oppose any legislation to amend the state constitution to allow casino gambling in Georgia and direct some of the proceeds to the lottery-funded HOPE scholarship. Proposals under consideration call for building two casino resorts in Georgia.
Hill, Kemp and Williams all said they would oppose legislation allowing casino gambling because it wasn’t necessary. Hill stated, “We are doing fine without gambling.” Cagle also said he would oppose casino gambling but noted other industries offer “enormous opportunity” for economic development in south Georgia.
Earlier this year, lawmakers pushed for a casino bill in the state Senate but it was blocked by Republican legislators who hold the majority. Opponents claim gambling would lead to an increase in crime and divorce, while proponents said casino gambling could generate more than $600 million in tax revenue annually.
The candidates also debated the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act and tax incentives.
