The AJC’s Aaron Sheinin reports that the Senate Bill that would begin the process to legalize casino gaming in Georgia will be shelved for this year. Senator Brandon Beach conceded he doesn’t have the votes to move the legislation through the Senate Regulated Industries Committee before the looming “crossover day”. Our long time readers will note this is the same committee that managed to keep Sunday Sales of alcohol bottled up for years.
The earliest the amendment could be voted on is 2018, per Georgia’s Constitution. As such, if sufficient support can be garnered in the legislative off season, the delay doesn’t necessarily change the timeframe of opening up Georgia to gaming. Beach, for his part, isn’t giving up:
“I am not discouraged,” Beach said. “I will double down and plan to crisscross the state starting in April” to build support for the bill in 2018.
Beach said he will visit local Rotary clubs, speak with education leaders, hospital administrators and anyone else who will listen to garner public backing.
Take this, at least for now, as a “not yet” instead of a firm “no”.