HR 655: House Study Committee on Gaming in the State of Georgia; create

Georgia lawmakers have repeatedly considered letting voters decide whether the state and its counties could allow land based casinos, pari-mutuel and fixed-odds horse racing, and sports betting. This resolution does not legalize any form of gaming itself. Instead it creates the House Study Committee on Gaming in the State of Georgia to examine how legalized gaming might affect the state's economy, workforce, tax revenue, and social costs, and to look at Georgia's horse breeding industry as a possible beneficiary of legal horse racing. The committee would have seven members: the chairs of the House Ways and Means, Regulated Industries, and Economic Development committees, plus four more House members appointed by the Speaker, one of whom the Speaker names as chairperson. It must hold at least four public hearings around the state plus one meeting to finalize findings, and must file a report with recommendations, including any proposed legislation, before it is abolished on December 1, 2025.

• Creates the House Study Committee on Gaming in the State of Georgia to study whether the state should legalize casinos, horse racing betting, and sports betting.
• Sets committee membership at seven House members, including three sitting committee chairs and four members picked by the Speaker of the House.
• Requires the committee to hold at least four public hearings across Georgia and one additional meeting to finalize findings.
• Directs the committee to file a report with specific findings or recommendations, including any proposed legislation, before it disbands.
• Sets the committee's expiration date at December 1, 2025, after which it stands abolished.
• Authorizes legislative member allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five days unless additional days are approved, funded through House appropriations.

Members of the Georgia House of Representatives who serve on or lead the relevant committees, the horse breeding and agricultural industry, potential casino and sports betting operators, and Georgians who might eventually vote on or be affected by future gaming legislation.

The resolution does not legalize gaming, but it sets up a formal process for lawmakers to gather evidence on economic benefits, tax revenue, job quality, and social costs before deciding whether to pursue casino, horse racing, or sports betting legislation in future sessions.

• Paragraph 1 formally creates the House Study Committee on Gaming in the State of Georgia.
• Paragraph 2 sets committee composition: the chairs of three named House committees plus four Speaker-appointed members, with one designated chairperson.
• Paragraph 3 charges the committee with studying gaming-related issues and recommending action or legislation it deems necessary.
• Paragraph 4 requires at least four public hearings statewide and one meeting to discuss and finalize findings.
• Paragraph 5 sets member allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, limited to five days absent further authorization, funded from House appropriations.
• Paragraph 6 requires a final report with findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation before the committee's abolishment date.
• Paragraph 7 abolishes the committee on December 1, 2025.

1. 2025-03-25House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-03-21House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-20House Hopper (House)

• Alan Powell (R, HD-33)Primary sponsor
• Shaw Blackmon (R, HD-146)
• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)

• gaming legislation
• casinos
• sports betting
• horse racing
• legislative study committees