ATLANTA, GA – Citizens across Georgia have sent a clear message: Georgians are ready to have a say on the future of gaming in their state. With 81.4% of Republican primary voters in May 2024 backing a statewide referendum on gaming, it’s evident that citizens across Georgia are tired of politicians in Atlanta using this issue to fundraise for their campaigns without allowing the people to decide its outcome. This represents a clear mandate from Republican primary voters statewide to allow for a vote. Additional polling data also indicates that Democratic and Independent voters largely are in favor of giving citizens the right to make this decision.
More than 640,000 Georgia voters have expressed their desire for a binding statewide vote -- with support ranging from 75% to 90% across all counties. This overwhelming majority highlights public frustration with how the gaming debate has been handled by the state government and reflects a strong call for the legislature to allow citizens the right to vote on lifting the gaming prohibition once and for all.
“Voters want transparency and an opportunity to shape Georgia’s future on this issue,” said Senator Carden H. Summers, who plans to introduce a constitutional amendment to lift Georgia’s prohibition on gaming. “For too long, this topic has been used as a tool for fundraising and political maneuvering in Atlanta. It’s time to let the people decide.”
If passed, the proposed amendment would require a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, allowing the gaming prohibition to be lifted and creating significant, long-term revenue opportunities that would benefit all 159 counties in Georgia. Under this proposal, the first two billion dollars generated by legal gaming would be distributed directly and evenly to all counties, providing each with millions in additional revenue. This funding could be used to support essential infrastructure, public safety, and other local needs. After the first two billion – the CA stipulates that an additional 500 million dollars of gaming revenue would be directed evenly to counties annually for the next ten years.
“Local governments know their communities best, and they should have the resources needed to address their unique challenges,” Senator Summers added. “This amendment prioritizes counties first in the revenue distribution plan, ensuring they receive these funds before any allocations are made to the state’s General Fund.”
Momentum is growing behind this amendment, with some counties already passing resolutions in favor of a statewide referendum to lift the gaming prohibition. Senator Summers encourages other counties to consider passing similar resolutions, emphasizing that the support of local governments will send a strong message to state legislators: county leaders stand with their residents in wanting a voice on this issue.
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