Georgia representative: Sports betting legislation shows promise of passing this year – WJCL News Savannah

A proposal to expand the legalization of gambling in Georgia appears to be gaining traction at the capitol.Rep. Ron Stephens told WJCL on Friday that he feels hopeful that lawmakers will get a bill passed this session to get sports betting on the ballot, but not everyone is happy about this.Public Affairs Representative at Georgia Baptist Mission Board Mike Griffin has been fighting gambling legislation for eight years. "It's been a lot more intense here lately," he said.Griffin told WJCL he feels putting the decision on whether or not to legalize sports gambling on the shoulders of Georgians isn't right."Studies have shown, for example from Stock Predatory Gambling, a national organization, that for every dollar we spend to promote not gambling, theyll spend $250. I'm just saying, it will not be a fair fight," he said.Rep. Stephens said they've been speaking about this at the state level for years, and that's why he feels the best thing they can do is bring the decision to the public. He wanted to note that in the end, it would really be up to individual counties on whether or not to expand gambling.Regardless, Griffin worries the legalization of sports betting would lead to more addictions, and therefore, more mental health issues in the state. "I was just in a webinar a couple days ago and there's some data from a study called Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and in it, it puts the addiction to sports betting and casino gambling in the same category as heroin, opioids, tobacco alcohol and cocaine," Griffin said. "I think an ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure."Supporters of the legislation, however, argue that it would benefit Georgia, especially from an economic standpoint. They add that at this point, most states in the country have legalized sports betting.It's important to note that if this legislation passes, it would essentially open the door for other things like casino gambling and horse racing to get the green light in counties that want it.The senate passed this legislation last year, but it did not pass the house.

A proposal to expand the legalization of gambling in Georgia appears to be gaining traction at the capitol.

Rep. Ron Stephens told WJCL on Friday that he feels hopeful that lawmakers will get a bill passed this session to get sports betting on the ballot, but not everyone is happy about this.

Public Affairs Representative at Georgia Baptist Mission Board Mike Griffin has been fighting gambling legislation for eight years.

"It's been a lot more intense here lately," he said.

Griffin told WJCL he feels putting the decision on whether or not to legalize sports gambling on the shoulders of Georgians isn't right.

"Studies have shown, for example from Stock Predatory Gambling, a national organization, that for every dollar we spend to promote not gambling, theyll spend $250. I'm just saying, it will not be a fair fight," he said.

Rep. Stephens said they've been speaking about this at the state level for years, and that's why he feels the best thing they can do is bring the decision to the public. He wanted to note that in the end, it would really be up to individual counties on whether or not to expand gambling.

Regardless, Griffin worries the legalization of sports betting would lead to more addictions, and therefore, more mental health issues in the state.

"I was just in a webinar a couple days ago and there's some data from a study called Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and in it, it puts the addiction to sports betting and casino gambling in the same category as heroin, opioids, tobacco alcohol and cocaine," Griffin said. "I think an ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure."

Supporters of the legislation, however, argue that it would benefit Georgia, especially from an economic standpoint. They add that at this point, most states in the country have legalized sports betting.

It's important to note that if this legislation passes, it would essentially open the door for other things like casino gambling and horse racing to get the green light in counties that want it.

The senate passed this legislation last year, but it did not pass the house.

Link:

Georgia representative: Sports betting legislation shows promise of passing this year - WJCL News Savannah