Georgia Most Likely to Push for Gambling Expansion in the State

By Jerry Smith Staff Writer Updated: 01/08/2020

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Gambling expansion on the cards for Georgia for revenue generation, Photo by www.shutterstock.com

The state of Georgia’s legislative session for the year 2020 is most likely to see some changes made to the current gambling undertakings within the state. Although several onlookers believe that the state is looking to make a gambling expansion, some others are not quite clear with regard to the state’s motives on the same.

Lawmakers looking for ways to increase revenue

The state of Georgia was faced with a budget shortfall this past year, which inevitably means that the lawmakers who are in charge of the legislative session would be looking for several new avenues of revenue collection for the state. These changes come in the heels of the consistent shortfalls in budget and revenue, as witnessed in the past few years. Lawmakers are looking to allow sports betting, horse racing, and casino gambling to become major sources of revenue for the government. Some authorities are also seeking suggestions to create a revenue-making venture from a combination of the above three.

The roadblock that comes in the way of the expansion of casino gambling is the requirement of a constitutional amendment that reads the same. For this new venture to become the norm, two-thirds of each chamber of the General Assembly must approve of the proposed changes. Moreover, voters will also have to resonate with these changes while voting in a referendum. The state of Georgia has so far stated that it will allow each county’s voters a separate referendum allocated for the purposes of expanding local gambling.

Georgia representatives speak on the amendment

In a bid to gather more attention to this proposed new amendment, House Speaker David Ralston spoke of the changes in a news conference this past Thursday. In his statement, he expressed his inclination to put the question to voters for a referendum.

Speaking to several news outlets, he said:

We’ve talked about this issue here for years, and one of these days we’re either going to have to say we’re going to quit talking and we’re going to vote it, however it comes out is the way it comes out.

Ralston also expressed the need for the people of Georgia to come together and aid the government in making this important decision. While gambling may be a controversial topic for some, gaining the voter’s trust is absolutely essential before passing a new amendment.

He added:

At some point, I think it is appropriate to let the people of Georgia have the final word.

To add to the discussions, Governor Brian Kemp has expressed his neutrality on the matter. While he is completely for the inclusion of new avenues for revenue collection, he also recently expressed to WRBL-TV that he doesn’t think multiple casinos in different cities would be ‘good for our state.’ Nevertheless, he assured that he would not stand in the way of the public’s wish and will not seek to block any proposed gambling expansion.

In addition to introducing gambling and other forms of betting as a means for revenue collection, the state of Georgia has some other plans that are waiting to be executed in the next year. The government is looking to limit litigation suits by making necessary tort reforms in the state. Changes are also being proposed for rural transit, seat belts, the Atlanta airport, and local zoning.