Georgia legislators have once again opened the floor to discussions surrounding legalized gambling, reviving a long-running debate that has persisted for decades. On Monday, the newly established House Study Committee on Gaming in the State of Georgia held its first official meeting at the Oconee County Administrative Building in Watkinsville, aiming to assess the merits and drawbacks of expanding gambling in the state.

While the inaugural session primarily focused on the prospects of casino gambling, future committee meetings are expected to tackle online sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing. The bipartisan group of lawmakers is tasked with delivering recommendations to the General Assembly by December 1.

“We’ve been talking about this issue since my hair was black,” quipped Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Savannah, reflecting on the longevity of the discussion. Fellow committee member Rep. Chuck Martin added humorously, “Since Chairman Stephens is talking about hair, we’ve been talking about this issue since I had some.”

Economic Promise vs. Social Concerns

Proponents of gambling legislation argue that the potential financial windfall could significantly boost the state’s economy. Ed Clark, president of EchoPark Speedway—formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway—testified before the committee, sharing plans for a large-scale casino resort adjacent to the racetrack in Hampton. According to Clark, the proposed project could generate as many as 3,000 construction jobs and up to another 3,000 permanent positions for Henry County residents.

“This is an opportunity for them to work closer to home and make a comparable salary,” Clark explained, according to Athens Banner-Herald. He added that the envisioned resort would include a hotel, convention center, entertainment facilities, and restaurants, all forming a major business hub in the region.

Past legislation had proposed creating six casino resorts throughout the state, with projections estimating an economic impact of $2 billion annually. Lawmakers believe legalized gambling could also generate as much as $500 million in annual tax revenue.

However, opponents caution that such revenues may come at too high a societal cost. Mike Griffin, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s public affairs representative, strongly warned against the harmful consequences he associates with legalized gambling. “When gambling increases, crime goes up, bankruptcies go up, addiction goes up,” Griffin testified. “Jobs go down, savings go down, and spending on necessities goes down.”

He also referenced broader social issues such as sex trafficking and suicides, suggesting, “For every dollar in revenue, it could cost taxpayers $3 to $5 dollars to fix.”

Differing Views on Morality and Regulation

The debate also featured sharply contrasting philosophies about the role of government in regulating personal behavior. “I don’t think the legislature should be legislating morality,” said Ed Clark, echoing sentiments that the decision to allow gambling should ultimately rest with the citizens of Georgia. He pointed to a straw poll conducted during last year’s GOP primary, in which voters expressed overwhelming support for letting the public decide through a statewide referendum.

On the other hand, Paul Smith of the Christian policy group Citizen Impact argued that any such referendum would be heavily influenced by well-funded industry lobbying, thereby skewing public perception and decision-making.

Committee Chair Rep. Marcus Wiedower, R-Watkinsville, who sponsored a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment to legalize sports betting, emphasized his approach was not about promotion but about oversight. “My effort is not to expand or encourage but to regulate and put guardrails around things already happening in this state,” Wiedower stated.

The resolution Wiedower introduced, which includes a licensing framework with a 24% tax on sports betting revenue, remains active and could be taken up again during the next legislative session.

Where Would the Money Go?

A key point of deliberation among lawmakers is the potential allocation of revenue generated through legalized gambling. Some representatives, like Rep. Yasmin Neal, D-Jonesboro, have floated the idea of using gambling tax proceeds to offset federal funding losses caused by recent spending cuts. Others propose channeling the revenue toward healthcare or bolstering educational initiatives, mirroring how the Georgia Lottery supports the HOPE Scholarship and pre-kindergarten programs.

Although the committee has not yet settled on a clear path forward, the sentiment among many members is that gambling in Georgia already exists in informal and unregulated forms. They argue that rather than ignoring it, the state should put structures in place to oversee and benefit from it.

Rep. Alan Powell reminded attendees that despite the Georgia Constitution’s prohibition on commercial gambling, the popularity of the state lottery and other informal forms of betting indicate that residents have an appetite for wagering activities.

“No matter what someone wants to say about the evils of gambling — there’s a lot of evils in this world — people like to gamble,” Powell remarked.

Next Steps for the Committee

The House Study Committee on Gaming will continue to meet throughout the fall, exploring different facets of the issue, including sports betting and horse racing. The committee is one of 16 House study panels operating this legislative offseason, addressing topics ranging from marijuana reform to election procedures.

With a December 1 deadline to present recommendations, lawmakers have limited time to resolve years of impasse and possibly pave the way for a public vote in 2026. If a constitutional amendment is pursued, it would mark the first major shift in Georgia’s gaming laws since the inception of the lottery. The exact date of the next committee meeting has yet to be announced, though Rep. Wiedower indicated it would likely take place by the end of August.