Georgia Considers Legalization of Casino Gaming and Horse Racing
A Georgia legislative committee appointed to examine ways to fill a spending plan space within the lottery-funded HOPE scholarship program held its very first public meetings in Atlanta on Monday and Tuesday. Proponents regarding the legalization of casinos in Georgia used the opportunity to introduce their plans as a means to fix the severe financing gap.
The said legislative committee has up until December 1 to propose possible means for increasing funds for the scholarship program. HOPE was initially designed to finance its expenses through lottery profits. Nonetheless, demand for scholarships surpassed lottery revenue, which eventually triggered Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal reducing the true number of HOPE recipients back in 2011.
State legislators have actually previously proposed the legalization of gambling enterprises and/or horse race within Georgia’s boundaries but have met opposition that is quite vocal. Now, because the state wants techniques to fill the scholarship system’s budget gap, it seems to be willing to yet again discuss the prospective gambling expansion.
Recently, State Representative Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), Chairman of the House’s Economic Development and Tourism Committee, proposed an amendment that is constitutional which required the establishment as high as six casinos in Georgia, but a maximum of two in a provided region.
If Rep. Stephens’ gets the necessary approval, the gambling venues will be charged millions of dollars for certification costs. [Read more…]