State House Approves Amended Casino Gambling Bill

A state House committee approved a set of measures Thursday that would seek to bring casino gambling to Georgia.

The bill and accompanying constitutional amendment would allow up to four casinos around the state, with two in the metro Atlanta area.

At least 90 percent of revenue from casinos would go toward education, including the HOPE scholarship.

The program is currently funded by the state Lottery but has struggled to keep pace with demand.

But State Rep Alan Powell of the 32nd District, which includes Franklin and Hart counties, has remained staunchly opposed to the University System of Georgia receiving revenue from any for of legalized gambling.

At last week’s Eggs and Issues breakfast in Hartwell, Powell said the more money the University System gets from the state, the more they spend.

“I have concerns and I will tell you that this state will be making a mistake, if casino gambling passes, if they dedicate that money and give control of all of that money to the University System,” Powell said. “I’ve watched for 25 years. The University System has gone through billions and billions of dollars.”

Powell said again, gambling revenue should go towards healthcare.

“We have one problem in the State of Georgia that in my 24 years on the State Appropriations Committee is a constant,” he said. “We never have enough money to cover the gaps on healthcare dollars, whether it’s Medicaid reimbursement or Medicaid expansion or grant and aid to local health department or grant and aid to rural hospitals. There’s other places that that money needs to go.”

The version of the bill approved by the committee increased casinos’ state tax rate to 20 percent.

Previous versions called for a 12 percent tax but allowed for six casinos.

If lawmakers pass the constitutional amendment, Georgians statewide would vote on whether to allow casinos.

If the statewide ballot succeeds, local communities would then have to hold referendums to approve local casinos.

The bill also would create a new state commission to oversee casinos.

Opponents of the measure argued that casinos don’t have broad economic impact and can cause social problems, such as an increase in crime, corruption, and bankrupties.

Even if it passes both houses, Gov. Nathan Deal may veto it.

Deal has said he’s against casino gambling.