Friday, March 12, 2004
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Friday, March 12, 2004 |
| Casino gambling closer to reality By JOHN THOMPSON Fulton County Commissioner Rob Pitts’ proposal to bring casino gambling to Georgia took another step forward last week. During the General Assembly Session last week, Rep. Kathy Ashe introduced House Resolution 1421 that would amend the state’s constitution and allow counties to authorize pari-mutuel betting. The casinos could only go in counties that have entertainment districts, such as Fulton County’s Underground Atlanta. Before the casinos could open, though, the resolution reads that a majority of voters would have to approve the issue. Pitts’ research indicates that just two full gaming casinos in Fulton County would create over 4,000 jobs and generate $200 million for the county and its 10 municipalities. At present, the South has the lowest casino participation rate of any geographic region in the U.S. at 20 percent. Pitts asserts that bringing casinos to Fulton County will help revitalize Georgia's economy which lost 6,700 jobs in February of this year. In other states where casino gambling has helped to turn the tide of employment and halt the erosion of communities, the lure of Lady Luck has been their saving grace, he said Citing Joliet, Ill. as a prime example, Pitts explains how Harrah's invested $120 million in a 40,000 square foot casino barge, four restaurants and a 204-room hotel to put 1,600 people in the area to work and on the fast track to financial security. Millions of dollars in capital improvements, educational development and law enforcement upgrades like the city’s new police station facilitated downtown development about 20 years sooner. The makeover of Joliet by Harrah's presence in the community recently garnered them a place as a finalist in the national All-American City Contest. With the world's busiest airport in its back yard, Fulton County seems a natural for resort or "destination" casinos. Hosting business meetings and conventions make Atlanta a high profile area for entertainment options. The resolution has now moved to the House Regulated Industries Committee.
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