For more than a decade, supporters of legalizing gambling in Georgia have pitched casinos, pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, and – more recently – sports betting to the General Assembly but come up snake eyes.

But gaming industry lobbyists and their legislative allies believe 2026 could be different because Georgia faces several daunting financial challenges that legalized gambling could help address.

Spending cuts in the budget bill President Donald Trump steered through the Republican-controlled Congress in early July will slash billions of dollars in federal aid to states for vital services including education, health care, and social services.

Under the Gold Dome, Georgia lawmakers are considering eliminating the state income tax, which supplies more than half of the state’s reve

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