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Georgia legislators have once again met to debate an issue that refuses to go away: where to allow casino gambling and other forms of betting in the state. The fate of Georgia’s possible gambling market has now been set in motion, with the newly formed House Study Committee on Gaming in the State of Georgia having met in Watkinsville to start the first round of hearings. This isn’t a small process in the slightest, since this debate is set to stretch through the fall. Still, there is somewhat of an end date, as lawmakers are expected to return with their recommendations in December. From jobseekers to small businesses owners, these results could carry real weight for people across metro Atlanta.
While lawmakers continue to weigh the options, many Georgia residents haven’t been waiting around. Because there’s no official framework for online gaming, a growing number of players use offshore platforms that operate legally in states without their own licensing systems. These latest sites provide access to online casinos that replicate much of what players might find in physical venues. Having state-regulated alternatives, though, would change that landscape dramatically, offering local oversight and bringing in tax revenue that currently goes elsewhere. For now, those platforms fill the void left by Georgia’s hesitation to act.
Despite this being a new hearing, it carried a familiar tone. Spending decades in these conversations, Rep. Ron Stephens of Savannah, with a head full of gray, was quoted for saying that these discussions have been going on since his hair was black. Although this led to some chuckles amongst the committee, it also captured a stark truth: Georgia’s gambling questions have been around for years without any clear resolution. That said, this time around seems to be different now that we can see the benefits of legalized gambling in neighboring states.
Ed Clark, president of EchoPark Speedway, came prepared with a proposal that might change that. He outlined plans for a casino resort connected to the racetrack in Hampton, describing it as a “destination” designed to draw visitors from all over the region. Clark said construction alone could employ roughly 3,000 workers, followed by up to 3,000 permanent positions once open. He emphasized that about seventy percent of Henry County’s residents currently travel outside the county for work, and that such a project could finally keep more of them closer to home, earning comparable wages and spending locally instead of elsewhere.
Proponents say the numbers speak for themselves. Past proposals in the General Assembly projected that six casino resorts placed strategically around the state could generate about $2 billion each year in economic activity. That figure includes jobs, local spending, and indirect benefits for small businesses. For Atlanta in particular, a city already known for its conventions, restaurants, and nightlife, the addition of a resort casino could mean an entirely new tier of entertainment and hospitality, the sort that keeps visitors staying longer and spending more. It could also help nearby towns capture some of the spillover business that comes with that kind of development.
Committee members spent part of the hearing discussing how any future tax proceeds might be used. Rep. Yasmin Neal of Jonesboro suggested directing a portion of gambling revenue toward offsetting lost federal funding from upcoming budget cuts that has effected other sectors. Others favored dedicating it to healthcare or continuing Georgia’s tradition of supporting education through gaming, as the state lottery does for HOPE Scholarships. Several lawmakers agreed that deciding where the money goes will likely be just as challenging as deciding whether to legalize gambling at all.
Rep. Marcus Wiedower of Watkinsville, who chairs the committee, told colleagues his main concern isn’t promoting gambling but regulating it. He said he wasn’t trying to expand or encourage anything, but was working to regulate and set guardrails around what was already happening in the state. Wiedower also sponsored a resolution earlier this year calling for a constitutional amendment to legalize sports betting, which remains alive for next year’s legislative session. He and others believe that since gambling already exists informally across Georgia, the state might as well oversee it and benefit from the taxes that come with it.
The committee plans to hold additional hearings through the fall, bringing in experts, economists, and local officials. Their report, due December 1, 2025, will outline what kind of gambling (if any) should be allowed and how it might be structured. Once that report is published, lawmakers will decide whether to take the issue to voters in a future statewide referendum. For Atlanta and surrounding counties, those recommendations could open the door to projects worth billions or close it once again, leaving things much as they are today.
If legalization gains traction, Atlanta is expected to attract immediate interest from developers. With its strong transportation network, tourism industry, and growing convention business, the city offers everything a resort operator would want. The proposed casino near EchoPark Speedway could become one of the largest draws south of the city, potentially rivaling out-of-state venues that already attract Georgia residents. But if the report advises against it, the state will continue losing tax revenue to neighboring markets and to online operators that answer to regulators elsewhere. Either way, December’s findings will carry real consequences for how Georgia, and especially metro Atlanta, moves forward.
