Ga. Lawmakers Consider Casino Tax Rate As Session Nears
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Casinos will likely pay Georgia more than the 12 percent tax on gross gaming income included in pending legislation (House Bill 677) that would change the state constitution to allow casino gambling.
State Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), the main sponsor of the legislation, said he’s worried a high tax rate could scare away the big-name casinos.
“You don’t get the reinvestment back into the facilities to keep it looking fresh and to keep people coming,” he said.
Stephens acknowledged that the 12 percent rate is negotiable.
“I believe 12 and 25 percent is the correct number and we all need to decide what that number is going to be.”
Casino operators have said they’d be willing to pay as much as 20 percent if they’re allowed in Georgia.
But that’s below the national average, according to some economists.
If a constitutional amendment makes it through the General Assembly with a two-thirds vote, it would still need to be approved by voters.
State Rep. Stacey Evans (D-Smyrna) is behind a push to expand scholarship programs with casino tax money.
She said the tax rate in the current legislation needs to change.
“I don’t know what it’s going to be. I’m not going to pretend to sit here and know the answer. But it’s higher than 12,” she said.
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