Georgia inches closer to gaming regulation
The Congress of Georgia State will debate this year a project to regulate the gaming industry.
US.- The State of Georgia could regulate the local gaming industry this year, as legislators are debating a project aiming at legalising casino development. However, casino supporters must face great opposition statewide, who have been holding several campaigns against gaming legislation for local residents.
There was an attempt of legalising casino industry last year. The measure was introduced by state senator Brandon Beach (R-District 21) and House Economic Development and Tourism Chairman Ron Stephen (R-Savannah), but they bill was rejected. The measure would have created “duties of the Georgia Gaming Commission to authorise the licensing of up to two destination resorts” with casinos in the state.
“I’ll try every way in the world to try to get it done,” said Stephen. “But about half the folks in the Senate are running for something else. Anything that even sounds controversial is going to be a tough sell.”
On the other hand, Councilor Judy Thomas, one of the officials who opposed the casino, reminded that the latest attempt at legalising gambling in the state wouldn’t have allowed South Columbus to get a casino simply because it didn’t qualify because of its low population. “If that bill were to pass, the only places that we could have casinos in Georgia would be in the Atlanta area, and in Savannah,” said Thomas.
