Georgia Lawmakers Hold Hearing on Legalizing Horse Racing

ATLANTA - Right out of the gate a proposal to legalize horse racing in Georgia faces some serious opposition.

Supporters and opponents testified Monday in front of the Senate committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities.

"I think it's an enormous fiscal benefit to the State of Georgia," the bill's sponsor, Senator Brandon Beach, R - Alpharetta, told committee members. 

Beach said the horse racing industry would add 5,000 jobs and have a projected economic impact of $500 million in Georgia.  It would generate an estimated $15 million for the HOPE Scholarship. 

Some, however, question whether horse racing would make any money at all--pointing to tracks in other states that have added casino gambling to draw in visitors. 

"In state after state with far, far more experience with horse racing it has been proven to be a money loser," testified David Baker of the Faith and Freedom Coalition of Georgia.

Members of the Georgia Horse Racing Coalition argue their plans include more than just a track.  The proposed mixed-used development would include housing, entertainment and event space that they believe would draw visitors year-round, similar to the new SunTrust Park development the Atlanta Braves are building. 

Baker and others also expressed moral concerns about the state allowing more gambling.

"If the bottom line is just simply trying to raise those funds and there is no moral standard by which you and I are to be governed by, then the sky is the limit," said Mike Griffin of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.

But Beach said recent polls show Georgians would support horse racing moving into the state.

"I think when you look about a week and a half ago when that [Powerball] jackpot got up to $1.5 billion, you had lines out the door and Georgians were there playing," said Sen. Beach.  "So, I think attitudes have changed."

If the state legislature passed the bill, Georgia voters would have to approve the measure on the November ballot.