Georgia governor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms wants voters to decide whether casinos should be legal, a decision with potential implications for a casino-centered resort proposed at Henry County’s EchoPark Speedway.
The speedway hopes to develop a resort with attractions, retail and housing. General manager Brandon Hutchison said there is no firm construction timeline; legalization and licensing would have to come first. The project’s unapproved projections estimate 4,000 to 5,000 construction jobs and about 2,500 ongoing jobs.
Legalizing casinos would require a constitutional amendment to win two-thirds support in each chamber of the Georgia General Assembly and voter approval. Lawmakers would also need to decide how casinos are regulated and licensed.
Bottoms’ campaign plan estimates casinos could generate $300 million to $500 million annually for the state. It proposes directing some revenue to universal pre-K and early learning. The plan also calls for pre-K access for 4-year-olds, full-day kindergarten and addressing college affordability.
Ryan Butler said a 2028 ballot is possible but not guaranteed. Whether casino legalization and sports betting should be considered together or separately remains an open question.
By News Now Georgia
Victoria Sterling
News Now Georgia
