Casino legislation changes in Georgia

The original idea called for five casinos in the state.

US.- After failed attempts at legalising the casino industry in Georgia, the legislation changed its original plan of building five casinos in the state to two, one in Atlanta and the second in three other possible cities.

Last week, Nathan Deal, Georgia’s Governor, said that he will likely be in favor of casino gambling if it doesn’t impact a state’s lottery funded scholarship program called HOPE. “We need to be absolutely certain that if a casino bill passes, it doesn’t adversely impact a lottery program for the state. That is the first big marker, to make sure that we don’t devastate what is probably perceived as the most successful lottery program in the country,” he added.

According to Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the casino in Atlanta would need an initial investment of US$2 billion, whilst the second one would cost US$450 million, and it could be located in Columbus, Savannah or Augusta. This year’s legislation would include a 20 percent tax on gambling and it would create a gambling commission based on the one from Nevada. The casino in Atlanta could be located in the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport area, one of the country’s biggest airports.