Two pieces of legislation that could pave the way for horse-racing in Georgia passed through the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee Wednesday.
The committee gave approval to Senate Bill 45 that would create a Georgia Horse Racing Commission, and Senate Resolution 84 which calls for a Constitutional Amendment to be included on upcoming ballot asking Georgia voters whether betting on horse racing should be legalized in Georgia.
According to bill sponsor, State Senator Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta), this is an economic development issue “that would create jobs and be good for all 159 counties.”
“I am excited about the economic impact this could have on Georgia,” Beach added. “There would be absolutely no state money invested in this. It would be all private money. And it would bring in a lot of new jobs.”
According to Beach, the commission would be tasked with approving up to three licenses and regulating the facilities. He added that the commission would include “experts from the industry.”
The legislation calls for 60 days of live racing in Georgia, taking advantage of the “80,000 horses that travel from Florida facilities to Kentucky” each year, Beach said. Under this bill, no bets could be placed “off-site, only at the track.” Beach said he envisioned the racetrack “being built similar to The Battery at SunTrust Park.”
Senate Rules Committee Chairman Jeff Mullis questioned debates over the morality of gambling because “Georgia already has gambling. Georgia’s voters approved allowing the lottery 27 years ago.”
