Sponsor of Georgia casino bill says he'll try again in 2018


              In this Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, photo, lights and signs are reflected in the window of a pedestrian bridge overlooking the Strip in Las Vegas. Nevada's biggest casinos combined to log a profit in fiscal 2016 for the first time in eight years, but not due to gambling winnings, according to data collected by the state Gaming Control Board. Room rentals and fees helped casinos generate income of almost $1 billion in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2016. (AP Photo/John Locher)
In this Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, photo, lights and signs are reflected in the window of a pedestrian bridge overlooking the Strip in Las Vegas. Nevada's biggest casinos combined to log a profit in fiscal 2016 for the first time in eight years, but not due to gambling winnings, according to data collected by the state Gaming Control Board. Room rentals and fees helped casinos generate income of almost $1 billion in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2016. (AP Photo/John Locher)

ATLANTA (AP) - The sponsor of legislation to allow casino gambling in Georgia says the effort is dead for the year.

State Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, said Monday that he doesn't have enough votes to get the bill out of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee. Beach says he will travel around Georgia before the next legislative session to promote the idea.

Friday marks a key deadline for lawmakers. Bills must pass at least one chamber to remain alive for the year.

Beach's proposal would have allowed two resorts to offer gambling.

The first required a $2 billion investment in the counties surrounding Atlanta and the second required a $450 million investment in another area. Taxes on gambling would support college scholarships along with rural hospital grants.

But religious organizations opposed any gambling expansion.

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