New Gaming Law Forcing Hart County to Reconsider Local Ordinance

Hart County must decide whether they want to change the way they regulate the use of video gaming machines.

At their meeting Tuesday evening, county attorney Walter Gordon told the board of commissioners he recently received a letter from a group of attorneys in Atlanta who represent companies that manufacture video amusement machines  regarding their compliance with a  new state law.

 “Basically, they are saying that their clients want to avoid any misconceptions about the state law and want to comply with the guidelines of the new state law and want to cooperate fully with county and municipal ordinances,” Gordon said.

Gordon said the companies have also offered to give demonstrations of their machines to the board.

While Georgia had previously banned video gaming machines entirely, this year, the Georgia General Assembly voted to make the machines legal under certain circumstances.

 “What this effectively does, is it eclipses our video arcade law, which is still on our books,” Gordon said. “That means our local ordinance has no force or effect today. This state law did, however, give cities and counties the ability to create local regulations.”

Gordon said the county must now decide if they want to revise their current ordinance.

Under the new law (GA House Bill 487) signed by Governor Nathan Deal in April, video gaming machines now fall under the purview of the Georgia Lottery Corporation, which regulates their use. 

Gordon said under the new state law, municipalities and counties still have some authority, such as prohibiting the operation of no more than six machines at any business location.

Currently, Hart County only allows no more than three machines per business.

Also, the new law states winners may only receive either Georgia Lottery tickets or merchandise as prizes, not cash.

Gordon said counties and municipalities will also have the authority to suspend a businesses’ video gaming license as well as their alcohol license should they be found to be in violation of the new state law.

“So the State has found a new way to get revenue from these machines,” noted commissioner Dan Reyen.

“I think we probably need to research this and then we can talk about this at the next meeting,” suggested commissioner Joey Dorsey.

Commission chair Bill Myers agreed and asked county administrator Jon Caime and Gordon to research what changes, if any, need to be made to the county ordinance.

Myers said the board will take the matter up again at their next meeting.