In Georgia, state Rep. Ron Stephens, chairman of the House Tourism and Economic Development Committee, recently filed House Resolution 30 which would allow voters to determine if casino gambling should be allowed in the state. Stephens previously filed House Bill 86, which would legalize online sports betting in Georgia. He also plans to introduce legislation to legalize horseracing. Stephens said, “We’re back at trying to backfill the HOPE Scholarship and pre-K, and the destination resorts, along with the tourism piece, is the way to do it.”
Allowing casino gambling and horseracing would require a constitutional amendment, which would need the approval of two-thirds of both the House and the Senate and a majority of voter approval. Stephens pointed out legalizing sports betting only would require a majority vote in each chamber and the governor’s signature.
Supporters said expanding gambling would create thousands of jobs and generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the HOPE scholarship program, funded by the Georgia Lottery. Conservative groups and religious organizations oppose expanding gambling, claiming it would lead to more problem gambling and crime.
