Horse-racing rears its head at the state Capitol
Last week, on the eve of several days of distracting unpleasantness, it was announced that a House Special Equine Study Committee would hold a hearing on Wednesday – that’s tomorrow – to discuss “potential positive impacts of the equine community on Georgia’s economy.”
Denis O’Hayer with WABE (90.1 FM) cracked the code this afternoon. We’re talking horse tracks. Pari-mutuel wagering. In a year when the state budget is likely to be stripped like a cow in the Amazon River.
O’Hayer has posted here a three-minute interview with the committee chairman, Harry Geisinger (R-Roswell). Said Geisinger:
“What we needed to do was take a look at the industries that would create jobs and at the same time generate revenues. Any time you have all those people working, they pay taxes. It’s good for everybody. So this is why we went ahead and said, well, let’s see what the equine industry can do, and what pari-mutuel gaming would mean to Georgia.
Geisinger confesses that he doesn’t know how much money horse-racing would bring in Georgia. But….
One of the things we’re finding is that the folks in Florida – you know, they don’t have an income tax like Georgia does. They have a property tax.
And the property tax is eating those farms and ranches down there alive. And they would love to move up to Georgia if we would encourage them to do so by having pari-mutuel betting.”
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22 comments Add your comment
faye
November 17th, 2009
8:47 pm
I don’t know about other folks, but I would LOVE this! I hate that the few times a year I decide to play the horses, I am spending mother in another state (mainly ‘Bama, Kentucky, and Nevada). Keep the money here!
Tech 09
November 17th, 2009
9:13 pm
Sure, I’m for it. I’d suspect the bible-thumpers will come out in force against this…might be a chance for Ralph Reed to rear his ugly head here again.
And there off!!!!
November 17th, 2009
9:17 pm
This would be an amazing venture for Georgia to take a look into. I visit Churchhill Downs every year for multiple races (my wife is from The Ville) and it is an amazing, fun, clean experience. All I know is that the financial impact would be huge for this state, especially if they build a grand venue for it like the Downs in Alpharetta / Roswell / Milton area where equestrian farms dot the countryside already. I see that Geisinger is from Roswell so he knows the amount of success it could bring.
Jason
November 17th, 2009
9:35 pm
The question is would such a track be financially viable. Alabama allowed it because it seemed classier than dog racing but when horse racing flopped, they pretty much had to allow dog racing. Obviously the market in Atlanta is much larger than Birmingham but we also already have a lottery competing for the gambling dollar. Would a horse track provide enough entertainment above the gambling aspect to make it?
Whatever the answer, if they allow it, I hope it is a totally private venture. No public money, even in the form of tax rebates, should be used.
KJ
November 17th, 2009
9:53 pm
Faye, you bet your mother at the horse track? That’s hardcore.
Sir Winston
November 17th, 2009
10:09 pm
This is an excellent idea! Peace.
Jared
November 17th, 2009
10:34 pm
They should examine standardbred harness racing in addition to or instead of thoroughbreds. There are a lot of trainers that train yearlings in Florida that may consider GA. Some use Hawkinsville, Ga already for winter training. To make it financially viable, the likely route is a “racino”, a racetrack with a casino onsite as well. This is what NY, PA, and some other states are doing.
Jared
November 17th, 2009
10:38 pm
PS. I am a GA resident who owns harness race horses. I have to drive to Lexington, or fly to NY, PA, NJ, or Canada to watch them race in person. Watching on the computer or TVG isn’t as much fun.
faye
November 17th, 2009
11:17 pm
lol, KJ – luckily I bet better than I type
faye
November 17th, 2009
11:18 pm
And I still can’t figure out how I typed mother for money – ah, well, I blame Derby fever – it’s hitting early this year, like the swine flu.
steve
November 18th, 2009
8:19 am
Fantastic idea! Just look at the attendance and financial impact of last year’s Steeplechase for an ideal of how popular this would be. I travel to Keeneland in Lexington KY twice a year and the experience is much larger than just betting.. it’s a lifestyle that would play well to Georgia!
Red Light
November 18th, 2009
8:53 am
The thoroughbred industry will flourish in Georgia if allowed to do so. I strongly support the effort and hope that it gains the required support. The addition of jobs horse racing will create is one thing, but for those of us who enjoy the sport, it will be a much welcomed sporting attraction outside the confines of downtown Atlanta.
Churchill's MOM
November 18th, 2009
11:04 am
The lottery has saved Public Education?
Emory Texan
November 18th, 2009
11:31 am
I think is a great idea but don’t think it will be a big money maker. These sorts of things lose their novelty after a few years without other forms of gambling (especially in an area with fewer horses, like Georgia). Lone Star Park here in Dallas was a success for over a decade but filed for chapter 11 last year and was bought by a casino hoping gambling would be legalized. I could easily see the exact same thing happening in Georgia (though instead of an Oklahoma tribe buying it, prob a Florida tribe), so support this only if you support legalized gambling, in my opinion. I am a libertarian that thinks people, not the government, should protect themselves so I am all for both horse racing and gambling. As it is now, other states are capturing that revenue anyways and it would probably help Atlanta tourism.
Being sensible
November 18th, 2009
11:54 am
Horse racing is an INDUSTRY. The tax revenue on betting is only one part of it, there are jobs created by this at all levels – from stable hand to executive. Jobs we can use. And please realize, we can attract tourist money with this, also.
Jim – I recollect you have brought up horse racing in the past and I think you aren’t in favor of it but I really do not know WHY it would be a bad idea. Is it just the betting? Well, get over that – the Christian right has already allowed the lottery in Georgia and frankly, I would prefer to see horses out in the open air rather that the litter of losing lottery tickets on the ground at the gas station and convenience store parking lots. The lottery has NOT contributed all that many jobs for Georgians and it isn’t going away. This is a WIN-WIN for Georgia.
Cutty
November 18th, 2009
4:25 pm
…..and legalize Sunday liquor sales while you’re at it.
Mr. Ed
November 18th, 2009
5:39 pm
Something stinks, and it ain’t the ponies.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
November 18th, 2009
7:28 pm
The lottery is run out of Mafia-owned Rhode Island and the CEO of Georgia’s lottery franchishee was convicted of felony bribery in England trying to get their lottery business.
It was “interesting” to note the local “nabobs” who helped bring the lottery to Georgia.
Notice how many times a Mob-front lawyer or politician has won the “big game?” Or a Mob-frontman’s South American housekeeper?
In and among the horse business over thirty years ago, the Organized Crime component at the tracks was an open secret.
The “camel’s nose” was under the “edge of the tent” long ago.
This is just the Roman Anti-Christ’s mopping up operation after the “recent unpleasantness” with Sherman, his Italian Soaves and Irish Brigade, since their Big Slavery export trade to the U.S. was ended during Jefferson’s presidency.
Hey, fellow “lobsters,” does the water seem to be getting warmer?
Will Jones - Bananasville
November 19th, 2009
1:50 am
Will Jones did 9/11 and started the lottery. Do not believe his insipid lies.
david
November 19th, 2009
1:48 pm
Great idea! we also need Casino Gaming in Atlanta,Macon,and Savannah. We also need to legalize prostitution and cannabis clubs.
mikeyd
November 21st, 2009
3:19 pm
The state could allow parimutual gambling and not have to put a dime into it. There are already simulcasting ( legitimate ) web sites that people can place wagers on ( as long as you don’t live in Georgia or about 12 other states ) and they could receive revenues off the taxes generated evey time someone puts down a bet. Gezz this is a no brainer the state is missing out on a lot of money here with no outlay at all.
Gene
November 21st, 2009
7:04 pm
I think that Georgia should allow Four Perimutal Horse/Dog Track Permits and this should also include Class III Gaming License (Las Vegas Style Betting minus a sports book) at each Horse/Dog track, and Expand the Georgia Lottery Commission to Regulate these facilities paid for by taxing each Horse/Dog track facility with annual permits.. This would be great for Jobs and a Revenue booster for Georgia.