Gambling for Education: Georgia's New Governor-elect Pushes for Casino Tax Revenue

A significant shift in gambling policy is looming in the U.S. state of Georgia. Governor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms has announced that legalizing casinos will be a top priority on her political agenda. The goal is to channel future tax revenues directly into the education system to guarantee every four-year-old in the state a seat in a preschool program. This move comes at a time when many U.S. states are desperately seeking new revenue streams to fund social infrastructure projects without raising direct taxes on citizens.

The plan calls for Georgia's voters to decide for themselves whether to relax the strict prohibitions in the state constitution. Currently, gambling in Georgia is largely prohibited, with the exception of the state lottery. Bottoms, who is set to take office in January, is building on her campaign's April 2026 education plan with this proposal. However, the political hurdle is high, as a two-thirds majority in both the Georgia House and Senate must be reached before the public can even be called to the polls.

Numbers and facts

Economic expectations for legalization are massive. According to the Governor-elect's proposal, casinos could generate between $300 million and $500 million annually. These funds are primarily intended to support the so-called Pre-K program, which provides early education for four-year-olds. Currently, these programs are already partially covered by lottery proceeds, but the need far exceeds the available funds. In the 2023-24 school year, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research, approximately 71,526 children were enrolled in state-funded preschools. This represents only about 55 percent of all four-year-olds in the state.

To achieve full coverage, places for an additional 52,000 children would need to be created. Bottoms' campaign estimates the additional annual operating costs at around $330 million. This amount is intended not only to be covered by the new gambling revenues but also to be secured in the long term. This involves more than just the actual childcare places; it also includes pay for educators, transportation for the children, and the necessary equipment for the classrooms.

Background

The debate over gambling in Georgia is not new, but it has often been characterized by stalemate in the past. Previous attempts, such as legalizing sports betting, regularly failed at the Capitol in Atlanta. Critics often cite moral concerns or the fear of increased gambling addiction. Keisha Lance Bottoms is now trying to break this resistance by directly linking the issue to the popular topic of education.

"The plan calls for using lottery and gambling revenue to cover ongoing costs, including classroom operations, educator pay, transportation and training." - Keisha Lance Bottoms, Governor-elect of Georgia

An interesting aspect of the plan is the use of reserves. While ongoing costs are to be covered by casino taxes, one-time expenses such as renovations and the purchase of teaching materials could be financed from existing funds. How many casinos will ultimately be allowed and where they might be located is still left open in the current draft. These details would have to be clarified in a later legislative process, should the constitutional amendment find the necessary majorities.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, the debate in Georgia may sound far away, but it illustrates a global trend: the earmarking of gambling levies for social projects. In Germany, this is already firmly anchored by the State Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021). While Georgia is still arguing about the mere existence of casinos, German players are already operating in a highly regulated market under the supervision of the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL).

German users must adhere to strict rules, such as the deposit limit of 1,000 euros per month across all providers, which is monitored in the LUGAS system. The stake limit of 1 euro per spin on virtual slot machines also serves to protect players. Anyone playing in Germany should strictly pay attention to the GGL whitelist. Providers with licenses from Malta (MGA) or Curacao often do not offer the same legal protection and violate applicable law in Germany if they operate without GGL permission. The transparency that Bottoms is calling for in Georgia is already a reality in Germany through the central blocking system OASIS.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For licensed providers in Germany, the example of Georgia shows that gambling is increasingly seen worldwide as a legitimate means of state funding, provided that youth protection is maintained. German GGL casinos must prove that they can take on social responsibility. While Georgia hopes to generate 300 to 500 million dollars, significant tax amounts are already flowing into the public welfare sector in Germany. The professionalism with which US politicians are now tackling the issue could also increase the pressure on illegal black market providers in Europe in the long term, as state-controlled offers are becoming the standard worldwide for financing public tasks.