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Georgia casino supporters need more than a favourable result in the November 3 governor election. Any casino referendum would first require approval from two-thirds of lawmakers in each legislative chamber.
Good To Know
- Keisha Lance Bottoms proposes using casino revenue for early education.
- Rick Jackson has not published a comparable gambling legalisation commitment.
- A constitutional amendment needs legislative and voter approval, without a governor signature.
Georgia Casino Vote Requires Bipartisan Support
All 180 House seats and 56 Senate seats face voters in November, alongside the contest to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. A casino amendment would need at least 120 House votes and 38 Senate votes before reaching the ballot.
Republicans currently hold 99 House seats and 33 Senate seats. Democrats need net gains of 10 and six seats respectively to control those chambers, but a simple majority would still fall short of the constitutional threshold.
Nor does party affiliation settle the gambling question. In March, the House rejected a sports betting constitutional amendment, 98–63. Democratic Rep. Al Williams supported gambling expansion but opposed the revenue arrangements. Republican Rep. Alan Powell wanted destination resorts included rather than sports betting alone.
Those disagreements help explain why repeated proposals have failed. Lawmakers have split over which gambling products to authorise, whether sports wagering requires a referendum and where the money should go.
Against that record, Republican nominee Jackson has focused his campaign on cutting income tax in half during his first term, controlling spending and improving existing services. The health care businessman also supports building on the existing pre-K program and making childcare more affordable.
His published plans do not endorse casino legalisation. However, that absence does not establish opposition, and his Christian faith and endorsement from Frontline Policy Action do not amount to a stated gambling policy.
Democratic nominee Bottoms offers a specific casino proposal. The former Atlanta mayor wants voters to consider a constitutional amendment, with some gambling revenue supporting universal pre-K for four-year-olds and full-day kindergarten.
Her campaign estimates casinos could generate $300 million to $500 million annually. State surplus funds would cover classroom renovations, equipment and other startup costs, while recurring casino revenue would help fund the education expansion. The figures remain campaign estimates rather than guaranteed receipts.
Georgia currently has no commercial or tribal land-based casinos. Meanwhile, two casinos operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in western North Carolina serve customers from Georgia.
Bottoms has left casino numbers, locations, taxation and licensing arrangements for later negotiations. A failed 2025 proposal sought at least eight casino licences and a gaming commission, but her education plan does not adopt that framework or provide a separate sports betting regulatory plan.
Prediction markets add another issue for the next administration. Platforms already offer sports event contracts while Georgia continues debating state-authorised sportsbooks. Neither candidate has outlined concrete action on prediction markets.
A casino amendment approved by lawmakers in 2027 would ordinarily go before voters at the next even-year general election in 2028. Voter approval would authorise the constitutional change; lawmakers would still need to establish the operating rules.
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