Recently Georgia state Senator Freddie Powell Sims and state Rep. Gerald Greene met with Dean Reeves, president of the Georgia Horse Racing Coalition and coalition Vice President Tom Schultie along with several regional farmers and landowners. The topic: Legalizing parimutuel wagering, which would allow a horse racetrack to be built in Georgia.
The lawmakers want to resurrect House Resolution 1, authored by the late state Rep. Harry Geisinger. It reads: “Proposing an amendment to the constitution so as to authorize the general assembly to provide by law for parimutuel wagering on horse racing; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.” Geisinger had introduced the same bill numerous times to get a referendum before statewide voters.
Noted Sims, “Southwest Georgia is starved for information. This has been around for a very long time and instead of being the last in the state to learn about the benefits of this resolution, I wanted us to be at the front.” Reeves pointed out Georgia is one of just five states where parimutuel betting is illegal. “The legislation would permit all types of horse racing in Georgia, from Thoroughbred races like the Kentucky Derby and the Atlanta Steeplechase to racing for other breeds, including Standardbred trotting and pacing horses, American Quarter Horses, Arabians and others,” he said. In addition, the referendum would permit parimutuel wagering on horse racing, which Reeves the state would regulated through a new Georgia Racing Commission.
Schultie added the industry would create 5,000 direct and indirect jobs in Georgia if the referendum were approved. “We estimate horse racing and parimutuel betting would generate $30 million in new revenue for the state, most of it directed toward the HOPE Scholarship fund. Building of the new track would involve no government funding in any way. The money would all come through private investors. We’re not trying to create a new industry in Georgia. We are trying to enhance an existing one,” Schultie stated.
At least two-thirds of lawmakers in each house must approve the measure before the referendum would go on the ballot. However, with every state lawmaker’s seat up for election next year, it’s questionable whether legislators would bring the potentially controversial bill to the floor.
