A $200M Casino Could Be Coming To Georgia

• South Columbus could be getting a $200 million casino in the future.
• Lawmakers are considering restarting the debate to legalize casinos in 2020.
• A statewide referendum will be needed before any new gambling facilities can open.

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Lawmakers are discussing the possibility to legalize casinos and other forms of gaming in 2020.

A Possible New Resort

A businessman named Bob Wright has been interested in creating a new upscale resort for years now. He originally proposed that he wanted to build a $200 million resort back in 2016 when lawmakers were considering bringing in legal gambling to Georgia at the time.

Discussions are now being held to legalize casinos in 2020. Wright is still interested in creating his new resort. He said that doing so would provide jobs and housing to southern Columbus. Wright said that he believes that the resort would be good for the community.

There is a lot of work that needs to be done before this could happen. Expanding gambling in Georgia would require a constitutional amendment. The ballot would need a two-thirds majority vote in both the State House and Senate. Then the measure would need to be approved by the Governor.

The final step would be a statewide referendum. Voters in counties all over the state will need to decide to approve of the new legal gambling facilities. That could be difficult because not all citizens are in favor of expanding gambling in Georgia.

“I’ve heard your facts but I do not see the quality of life and the moral integrity of the city rising with any form of gambling,” said an unnamed citizen in a hearing.

More Than Casinos

Other forms of gambling would be also considered with the upcoming casino amendment. Legal sports betting and horse racing would also be considered as well.

Many states have been in the process of legalizing sports betting over the past two years. North Carolina and Tennessee have legalized sports betting in one form or another. Georgia lawmakers likely do not want to lose revenue to other states, so their attention to the measure this time around will likely be taken seriously.

Allowing for horse racing could have a good economic benefit for Georgia. Lawmakers expect legalizing horse racing would bring in $1 billion to Georgia’s economy. That money would help go towards the healthcare budget for the state.

Lawmakers and businessmen in Georgia are all interested in helping the state as much as they can. Legalizing various forms of gambling would allow them to bring in more tax dollars to the state without raising taxes. Lawmakers will have plenty of work to do during the 2020 legislative session.