GAMBLING ALERT: The worst gambling legislation to hit Georgia

A group watches as a legislative committee discusses a gambling bill.
A group watches as a legislative committee discusses a gambling bill.
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On Monday, March 28, in the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee, Representative Ron Stephens introduced legislation that would (for all practical purposes) legalize every form of gambling possible in the State of Georgia. (See video: https://fb.watch/c26KpnOi3H/ )

Stephens amended the Sports Gambling bill that passed out of the Senate last year and added all other forms of gambling to it.

Senate Resolution 135, if approved by the voters, would amend the Constitution of Georgia to grant the General Assembly the authority to remove all prohibitions on such things as bingo games, raffles, sports betting, casinos, parimutuel betting and all other forms of gambling and betting and provide for the regulation and taxation of such activities.

I call it the “Gambling Everywhere Amendment.” While I know the public must vote on it and that local referendums will be required (other than sports betting), it basically opens the whole state up to more gambling than we’ve thought possible.

This amendment gives the Georgia General Assembly a blank check to issue gambling expansion in any direction they want it to go. All that will be required is for a majority vote in both chambers along with the Governor’s signature to allow many forms of gambling including casinos to become legal in the state of Georgia!

This terrible legislation will increase more pain and suffering than anyone could have ever imagined! (See Index Article on the dangers of gambling: http://christianindex.staging.communityq.com/stories/the-dangers-of-putting-more-gambling-on-the-ballot-in-georgia,15454 ) It could turn Georgia – the number one place to do business – into the “Wild, Wild West” of gambling. The last thing Georgia needs is to become more of a gambling state like Nevada!

Now is the time for you to contact your State Representative (See website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/house) and ask them to please VOTE NO to adding a constitutional amendment on gambling expansion to the state ballot this November. Also, please go ahead and contact your State Senator (See website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/senate) as well and ask them to VOTE NO if it makes it to the Senate for final approval!

This legislation could be on the floor of the House for a vote, as soon as this Thursday, March 30. The final day of the legislative session is Monday, April 4. As you can see, time is of the essence!

Please do not wait to do this! Future generations are depending on your actions to keep the dangers of predatory gambling from spreading across our great state.