Georgia Lawmakers Revisit Legal Gambling

An regular conversation has resurfaced in Georgia.

Lawmakers have reopened the discussion on legalizing gambling, focusing on casinos, online Georgia sports betting, and horse racing. The House Study Committee on Gaming in the State of Georgia held its first hearing Monday in Watkinsville, where members heard arguments for and against expanding gaming. The committee will continue hearings through the fall and issue recommendations by Dec. 1.

Representative Ron Stephens, a long-time proponent of legalized gambling, highlighted the longevity of the debate. At the same time, Ed Clark, president of EchoPark Speedway, promoted plans to build a “destination” casino resort adjacent to the racetrack in Hampton. 

Clark said the project could generate up to 3,000 construction jobs and 2,500 to 3,000 permanent positions, offering Henry County residents, many of whom currently commute, opportunities to work locally at similar wages.

"This is an opportunity for them to work closer to home and make a comparable salary," he added.

Previous proposals introduced in the General Assembly envisioned building six destination casinos across Georgia, with an approximate $2 billion annual economic impact. Clark also referenced a Georgia Republican Party straw poll conducted during last year’s GOP primary that showed strong public support for putting gambling legalization to a statewide vote.

Meanwhile, opponents expressed concerns about the social impact of legalized gambling. Mike Griffin of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board said higher rates of crime, addiction, and bankruptcy would negate any financial gains. Paul Smith, executive director of Citizen Impact, warned that well-funded industry lobbying could skew any referendum in favor of legalization.

Committee members also discussed potential uses for gambling tax revenue. Representative Yasmin Neal suggested directing funds to offset federal spending cuts, while others proposed investments in health care or education, like the Georgia Lottery model, which supports HOPE Scholarships and pre-kindergarten programs.

Committee Chairman Marcus Wiedower emphasized that his goal was to regulate existing gambling activities rather than expand them. A resolution he sponsored earlier this year, calling for a constitutional amendment to legalize sports betting, remains active for consideration in the next legislative session.

Ohio online casino legalization gains momentum

While Georgia lawmakers are considering casino legalization, Ohio is also moving toward expanding gaming, with two new bills introduced this month. Senate Bill 197 from Senator Nathan Manning and House Bill 298 from Representatives Marilyn John and Brian Stewart aim to legalize Ohio online casinos, projecting between $500 million and $800 million in annual tax revenue.

Senate Bill 197 proposes strict measures, including a $500 weekly deposit cap, a five-hour session limit, and allocating 1% of revenue to problem gambling programs. If approved, either bill could launch Ohio’s online casino market by spring 2026, positioning the state to follow Pennsylvania’s successful real-money online casino model. Supporters argue the legislation would also drive job creation in technology and live gaming operations.

However, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who recently expressed his opposition to legalizing online casinos, still strongly opposes any such legislation.