House lawmakers Thursday voted 166 to 4 in favor of HB 487, which gives oversight of video gaming machines to the Georgia Lottery Corporation.The audio of this story, as broadcast.
The legislation requires video gaming machines to be hooked up to a centralized monitoring system.
Republican Representative Matt Ramsey of Peachtree City sponsored the bill. He says it will crack down on illegal gaming which has been popping up in the back rooms of gas stations and effectively turning them into casinos with cash payouts.
“If we get the money out of these backrooms, that’s going to shift some money to the lottery that otherwise is going to these machines,” Ramsey said.
The legislation is part of Governor Nathan Deal’s agenda.
Previously, the Governor stated numerous times he’s against the expansion of video gaming in the state.
Ramsey says the bill is consistent with the Governor’s stance.
“I think this is actually an anti-gambling bill, because it will shut down all these rogue operators that are out there misusing the system.”
Earlier this week, Governor Deal told reporters he hadn’t changed his mind and says he supports the bill for several reasons.
“That way we will know where those machines are located … we will know who owns those machines and we will know something about the way the payouts are, which are not supposed to be cash payouts,” Gov. Deal said. ”The advantage is it will be a positive for the lottery.”
A handful of lawmakers like Representative Charles Gregory (R-Kennesaw) opposed the bill.
“As Republicans who supposedly believe in a free market, why do you believe it’s okay to operate a monopoly on the gambling industry?”
If the bill is approved by the Senate, those taking part in legal video gaming would continue not to receive cash payouts.
Instead winners could receive lottery tickets and other prizes.
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