georgia horse racing online gambling laws

Hickman said Georgia is losing the millions of dollars horse racing could bring to states including Florida and Kentucky where pari-mutuel betting is legal.īoth Senate enabling bills call for dedicating a portion of the proceeds from pari-mutuel betting to education, health care and rural development.īut opponents of horse racing argued the industry has become a losing proposition both in terms of economics and social impacts. Billy Hickman, R-Statesboro, who raises and breeds horses and is a cosponsor of one of the Senate bills. It will be great for our rural areas,” said Sen.

“The majority of these jobs would be agricultural. Each track would hold 60 days of racing annually for a total of 180 racing days. Those numbers are based on provisions in one of the bills calling for the construction of three racetracks, one in metro Atlanta and two in other parts of Georgia.

Supporters came armed with a report from Georgia Southern University projecting horse racing – including the breeding and raising of racing thoroughbreds – would create 15,800 jobs in Georgia during its first decade, generating $1.28 billion in economic impact.

Georgia horse racing online gambling laws