TLANTA, Ga. (March 5, 2015) – Horse racing in Georgia is closer to the winner’s circle after a constitutional amendment to allow voters to decide to permit racing with pari-mutuel wagering was voted out of a Senate committee Wednesday.
“We really see this as economic development legislation, and obviously the senators see the value that the great American sport of horse racing can bring to Georgia in terms of jobs and tourism,” says Dean Reeves, president of the Georgia Horse Racing Coalition. “Our studies show that racing with pari-mutuel wagering could generate as much as $25 million annually in revenues for Georgia, money that would go to needs-based scholarships.”
Championed by Sen. Brandon Beach, known for his support of business development, SR 135 was soundly approved 8 to 3 by the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. If it passes the General Assembly, the constitutional amendment would allow Georgians to vote on the issue in 2016.
“We’ve been working on this for about two years, and we think the time is right,” says Reeves. “A track in Georgia would be a real attraction for tourists and racing fans. People travel all over the country to watch horses race, and we want to see them racing in Georgia.”
About the Georgia Horse Racing Coalition
The Georgia Horse Racing Coalition is a group of leading business executives who love the sport of horse racing who see the value that pari-mutuel wagering and the horse racing industry could bring to Georgia. Our mission is to work with our state leaders to pass legislation allowing pari-mutuel wagering in Georgia in order to encourage and support a statewide horse racing industry that will bring jobs, tax revenues and tourism to our communities. For more information, please visit www.gahorseracing.org.