A Georgia Senate committee signed off on a plan to bring horse racing to the state, another attempt in a five-year effort to expand gambling.
State Sen. Brandon Beach’s bill would create a five-member Gambling Commission, tasked with rewarding contracts for race tracks to three investors. The legislation requires the tracks to host races at least 60 days a year. One would sit within 50 miles of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and invest $250 million in its arena. The others would sit outside the radius, each agreeing to pump in at least $125 million.
The bill is paired with a Senate resolution, which calls for a vote on a state constitutional amendment, perhaps on a 2020 ballot.
“It’s good for every county in our state,” said Beach, R-Alpharetta. “All 159 counties can play a part in this through horse farms, hay farms, breeding. It’s really bringing the equine industry to Georgia.”
The Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee passed the bill, 5-2, during a hearing Wednesday. The legislation would next go to the chamber floor. State Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, is a co-sponsor and voted in approval.