Last week, a Georgia state senator announced his intention to introduce legislation allowing Georgians to decide on a constitutional amendment allowing casino gambling, sports betting, and pari-mutuel wagering.
During a Joint Committees on Economic Development and Tourism meeting, state Sen. Brandon Beach, an Alpharetta Republican, said the initiative could bring in $900 million per year to the state, and half of the money would go into a freight and logistics fund for road, bridge and rail projects. The remaining money would go toward rural healthcare, mental healthcare, gambling addiction and historically Black colleges and universities.
Beach plans to drop his legislation on the first day of the legislative session starting next month. He indicated he could also edit the legislation to allow state officials to use proceeds to help the state attract major events, such as the Super Bowl and the Final Four.
An expansion of gambling is not new to the Georgia political landscape. Will 2024 yield a different outcome? Only time will tell.
Music
- Intro: “Down the Line,” recorded January 27, 2019. Written by Todd DeFeo, (c) 2019 by Todd DeFeo (ASCAP). From “12 Tracks.”
- Outro: “Instrumental,” recorded May 13, 2023, live at the Smyrna History Museum in Smyrna, Georgia. Written by Todd DeFeo, (c) 2023 by Todd DeFeo (ASCAP).
Show Notes
- The Center Square contributed to this report.
Podcast produced by Joe Nevark.
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