Opponents of legislation allowing casino gambling in Georgia hope to prevent a last-minute vote before a legislative deadline.
The House Regulated Industries Committee plans to discuss a bill sponsored by Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Savannah, on Friday afternoon. Stephens' proposal would allow two "resort destinations" that could offer gambling, one in metro Atlanta requiring $2 billion in investment and the second elsewhere in the state requiring $450 million in investment.
Legislative rules require bills to pass at least one chamber by the end of Friday to stay alive. There are ways around the deadline, but lawmakers try to pass as many bills as possible.
Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, introduced a similar bill but said Monday that he didn't have enough support to get it out of the chamber's Regulated Industries committee.
