Ryan Soultz, Vice President of Government Affairs at Boyd Gaming, echoed similar sentiments, stating the company “would be thrilled to establish a presence in Georgia,” as reported by Bisnow.

The attempts to legalize gambling in Georgia have consistently faced roadblocks. A proposal from 2018 for three casinos did not succeed, and a more recent initiative in March to include sports betting and casino gambling on a statewide ballot also fell short. This marks the seventh consecutive year that the legislature has deliberated but failed to pass any gambling expansion proposals.

Nevertheless, lawmakers anticipate revisiting this topic in January. If approved with requisite supermajorities in both legislative chambers, this proposal could potentially be included in the ballot for November 2026.

Industry leaders contend that the economic argument is compelling. Gordon highlighted the $2.6 billion Encore Boston Harbor resort, launched by Wynn in 2019, which has thus far generated $1 billion in gaming taxes for Massachusetts. He proposed that a casino in Georgia could create thousands of employment opportunities and serve as a significant economic catalyst.

“These establishments can be powerful engines for economic growth, provided they are designed correctly and operated by the right firms,” stated Gordon.

Rick Lackey, founder of Real Professionals Network, also advised lawmakers that locations such as Midtown and Downtown Atlanta, the airport vicinity, and Savannah would all be prime candidates for large-scale casinos.