Georgia’s House of Representatives' Special Committee on Economic Growth scheduled three full days of hearings this week to hear testimony from casino executives, sports betting operators and other stakeholders.
In order to allow casinos or other gaming ventures into the state, lawmakers would have to approve a statewide referendum and voters would then need to approve a Constitutional Amendment. Supporters for years have pushed the idea, but a recent call from Gov. Brian Kemp to cut state spending has renewed interest in finding new ways for the state to earn money.
Representatives from Wynn Resorts, Atlanta Motor Speedway, the Georgia Horse Racing Coalition and others touted gaming success stories in other states. According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Atlanta Motor Speedway President Ed Clark is proposing a $1 billion casino resort at the racetrack. It would include a hotel, condos, restaurants and maybe even a theme park and concert venue.
Wynn Development President Chris Gordon walked lawmakers through the opening of the company's newest casino in the Boston area, which he said was a $2.6 billion project built without state tax breaks. He said it has created more than 5,000 jobs and is expected to provide $201 million annually in state taxes. While he didn't explicitly pitch his company for Georgia, he encouraged lawmakers to examine Wynn's record, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
"It's time. It's time that the people get the opportunity to vote yes or vote no," explained State. Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Savannah, one of the co-chairs of committe. "The question really is for most of us since we've got needs in healthcare and education is to see if there's other opportunities we can look at," said Rep. Stephens, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Opponents, however, fear the state may put profits before people. Mike Griffin with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board told the committee he is concerned about the effects increased gambling could have on families and particularly children. "All that glitters is not gold," said Griffin. "Why do they have to have so much law enforcement? Because this is absolutely one of the most dangerous industries that you can have in your state."
Stephens argues that the state already has gambling through the Georgia Lottery, which has provided $21 billion to education since its inception. He does not think the state should promote one form of gaming over another and would like for the ballot question to be an all or nothing proposition. "Either we're gonna play or we're gonna get out of it and the voters will decide that," said Stephens.