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Published Wednesday, August 24, 2011 in Opinion
It's possible Georgia could vote on horse racing during 2012
Editorial
Georgia has the state lottery. Will more gambling be coming to our state? It's possible, but our bet is that it's a long shot anytime soon.
Here's the deal:
Horse racing in Georgia is the topic being explored by a study committee led by Roswell Republican Rep. Harry Geisinger. The group is holding hearings around the state on pari-mutuel betting on horse racing and will made recommendations to the General Assembly by the end of the year.
There's a possibility that Georgia voters could be allowed to vote in 2012 on whether to allow betting on horse races.
The chances of getting the issue on 2012 ballots may be difficult. The state must have a constitutional amendment on the issue. That would require a two-thirds vote by state lawmakers to put the matter on the ballot for voters to decide.
While we sense there is growing support for new revenue sources -- such as pari-mutuel betting -- to help fund education and other needs, many conservatives will balk at adding more gambling in Georgia.
Some people believe additional gambling opportunities would cut into the state's lottery revenue. Others think horse race tracks would soon be followed by casinos.
This opposition by conservative influences would seem to make it difficult to get a two-thirds vote among lawmakers to put the issue on the ballot.
Advocates of horse racing say it would raise millions in tourism revenue and create new jobs in breeding, training and medical care for horses.
Already, 38 states have pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing. Georgia is the only one considering adding it now.
It will be interesting to see what the study committee recommends, and even more interesting to see how our state lawmakers react to the recommendation.
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Geez, it's 2011! When will the god-squad goons and morality police stop forcing their values on everyone else? If the citizens of Georgia want to buy a bottle of wine on Sunday or place a bet on a horse, they should have the right to do so. Put it on the ballot and let the people decide. And keep your religion to yourselves!
Posted by Flack50 at 6:32 PM
"People who can't afford it are given another way to lose their money"? Anyone can choose what they spend their money on. You insult the poor with a statement that assumes they can't control their own lives or their addictions. This is still America. People have the freedom to make good choices. Many "choose" not to and spend their money on the dream of "free fortune". It's not free and it rarely happens.
Posted by Hobbs at 1:01 PM
I will vote for any thing that our religous hypocrites will vote against.
Posted by gamble at 10:19 PM
It's not enough that people who can't afford it blow money trying to win the lottery. Now we are going to offer them another way to lose their money? Just wait for the welfare doles to go up when this happens.
Posted by Save your money at 8:49 PM
So the Lottery is well over 300 Million behind and the answer is more Gambling?
Posted by you think? at 3:51 PM
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Horse Racing
9/16/2011
Link To This Comment
Horse racing is legal in Georgia. Gambling on horse racing is not. In our country pari-mutuel wagering dominates the horse racing game. The definition of pari-mutuel racing is "among friends." Currently there is legalized pari-mutuel wagering in Georgia in the form of the lottery, and the only legalized entity to hold a pari-mutuel pool is the State. If the State can do it why should people who like to bet on horse races not be allowed to do it?
Posted by William Graham at 3:37 AM