Georgia lawmakers consider legalizing horse racing

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Lawmakers hit the track Monday at Savannah Technical College to talk about sports gambling and horse racing.

Both are still at the starting gate here in Georgia, where they remain illegal.

WTOC was there as speakers laid out the odds.

There were a lot of perspectives. There were a pair of former Kentucky lawmakers who advocated for the financial aspect of legalized gambling, saying Georgia would benefit from having horse races in particular.

There were speakers who opposed the idea of introducing online gambling, concerned about fueling addiction.

“We’re the number one state to do business in, we don’t need gambling messing things up,” said Jeanne Seaver, founder of Mom’s Against Gambling.

On Monday, Savannah Technical College hosted a house study committee to weigh the options on legalizing gambling, with a plethora of pros and cons illustrated by different speakers.

“I think your population and demography and geography and agriculture background would make this a huge state for horse racing and it would be a huge benefit for your economy,” said Damon Thayer.

One of the pro-gambling voices was former Kentucky State Senator Damon Thayer, who outlined how it had helped his home state while he served, specifically citing an equine survey conducted by the university of Kentucky.

“And it calculated that the economic impact of the horse industry in Kentucky was $6.5 billion a year with an estimated 65-thousand jobs,” said Thayer.

Not everyone was convinced though, like Jeanne Seaver, the founder of Moms Against Gambling, who believes there’s one specific demographic that’s dangerously at risk.

“The first and foremost is our children. That’s what’s happening now with our children. The gambling industry is targeting our children,” said Seaver.

She shared the story of a mother whose son was successful until he became addicted to online gambling, which ruined his life. She also pointed to a study that found online gambling as addictive as heroin in some cases.

“You know it changes Georgia forever, 24/7 gambling on your iPhones, it’s just like having a casino,” said Seaver.

Earlier this year, efforts to legalize sports betting in Georgia failed to pass the legislature once again.

Supporters plan to try again next year.