Historically anti-gambling Georgia is among the few states within the US with no casinos, however some state senators are as soon as once more hoping to vary that. Senate Resolution 131 would permit Peach State voters to determine on a proposed constitutional modification that may permit for at the least eight casinos within the state, in addition to legalized sports activities betting.
Backers of the invoice see the trouble as a strategy to convey bettors right into a legalized market and permit the hundreds of thousands of {dollars} wagered elsewhere to contribute to state coffers. Supporters additionally word that legalized betting will help the state keep attracting major sporting events.
“In the next seven years, Georgia will host the College Football Playoff National Championship, World Cup games, the Super Bowl, and an NCAA Final Four,” one of many invoice’s sponsors, Sen. Brandon Beach, famous within the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in December. “Our stubbornness to legalize this wildly popular activity is not only forgoing millions of dollars in tax revenue, but also propping up shady offshore betting sites that have zero protections to prevent minors from gambling, have no problem-betting resources and might not even pay winners.”
The transfer comes after earlier failed makes an attempt at gaming legalization within the state in recent times. But a current ballot from the University of Georgia exhibits that greater than 60% of voters assist authorized sports activities betting.
The invoice would exclude on-line casinos, and specifies that playing actions “shall take place at a casino facility owned and operated by an individual or entity that has been issued a casino gaming license in this state.”
The invoice would set the tax charge for casinos and sports activities betting at 20% of the gross revenue and would create a brand new Georgia Gaming Commission to supervise the trade. If authorized, a vote on the difficulty can be set for November 2026.
Republican Gov. Brian Kemp has said his neutrality on the difficulty previously, however has sought methods to spice up the state’s financial system and create jobs.
“My position has been very clear on gaming,” Kemp mentioned. “That being said, the legislature, especially, if they’re trying to do a constitutional amendment, it doesn’t really matter what I think. My whole thing is if they’re going to do something like that we need to make sure it does not cannibalize the lottery and HOPE scholarship.”
Neighboring states like Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, and North Carolina all have legalized sports activities betting or on line casino gaming. Several different states have made strikes towards legalized sports activities betting and casinos in current weeks as properly together with permitting on-line wagering in Mississippi.
Indiana has additionally moved to legalize sports activities betting, and Texas could also be within the playing cards as properly with Gov. Greg Abbott just lately expressing assist.
