The Special Committee on Economic Growth is a committee created last year in Georgia to consider a gambling expansion for the state. The committee consists of fifteen members, all from the state House. For a few months now, the group has hosted public hearings to discuss a gambling expansion in areas such as sports betting, casino and horse racing. The latest hearing took place yesterday at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Local Input:

The goal of the public hearings is to provide as much information as possible to the public regarding possible gambling expansions in the state. If a referendum ends up on the ballot, voters will be allowed to choose is Georgia will welcome casinos, sports betting and/or horse racing.

The spot of the recent hearing is important as the Atlanta Motor Speedway has proposed a destination resort plan where they would offer casino gaming, a hotel and plenty of additional entertainment. The plans were announced a few months ago and the Speedway is working with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the operator of the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, to see the idea come to life.

According to 41nbc.com…

Ed Clark, the President of the Atlanta Motor Speedway, stated the project would cost around $1 billion to create. With the entertainment complex, as many as 3,000 construction jobs would be created. Once the facility is operational, up to 5,000 jobs could be created.

Speedway’s Plans:

The details of the Georgia project are vast. The concept drawing shows the property offering a casino and hotel with dining options in one area while another section would be home to a 330,000 square foot theme park and entertainment center. The property would also include a wager park, golf driving range and condominiums.