Atlanta Leaders Want Casino Study

Could it be?  Could a Bible Belt state be inching closer to legalized casino gambling?  There’s a still a long way to go, but…maybe. 

Thursday evening, Atlanta’s NBC affliliate, 11 Alive News, reported that city business leaders are pushing for a study to determine the potential impact and feasibility of a casino in Atlanta.  Fulton County Commissioner Rob Pitts, who has been a proponent of casino gambling for years, predicts that Atlanta will have a casino within five years. 

"Georgians love to gamble," said Pitts. "Georgians go to the Carolinas, and Mississippi and Nevada in huge numbers." 

Pitts wants those Georgians who want to gamble to keep their gambling dollars in the state.  Additionally, he believes that two casinos would create 6,000 jobs. 

Mark Woodworth of PKF Hospitality Research noted the most obvious benefit – revenue.  While a robust city, Atlanta is not really what one would call a tourist destination.  Casinos could put Atlanta in the minds of people around the country when deciding where to spend their tourist dollar.   

"Georgia is only one of 12 states in the nation that either does not already have enabling legislation for casino gaming, or is not actively considering passing legislation," Woodworth said to Elaine Reyes of 11 Alive. "So, we're on a shorter and shorter list." 

No specifics have been laid out yet, but Underground Atlanta, a historic, yet struggling shopping and entertainment area in downtown Atlanta, has been suggested as a potential casino site.