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With the US economy in a tailspin, what better time to bring casinos to Atlanta than now?
Each year, state lawmakers reject the idea, fearing casinos will lead to more gambling addictions, prostitution and organized crime.
One Democratic state lawmaker, Roger Bruce of Atlanta, told the city's elected officials last week that he's planning to introduce legislation that could open the door to casinos in Georgia.
"I think the time is right for ideas, and this is an idea," Bruce said in an interview.
Bruce said his bill would let counties, cities and towns roll the dice on whether they want a casino in their jurisdiction through a voter referendum. Tax proceeds would be divided between the cities and the state.
A proposed constitutional amendment would have to win the approval of the Georgia General Assembly. Likewise, voters have not supported similar measures in the past.
City Council leaders have championed the idea of a casino in Atlanta for about 20 years, believing it would bring jackpot-size money to Georgia that could be used for public education or law enforcement.
A study completed last year by PFK Consulting found a casino could create nearly 11,000 jobs and fill tax coffers with about $135 million annually, an important statistic since the city of Atlanta was likely to cut some 10 percent of government jobs by year's end.
Any casino would be targeted for Underground Atlanta, considered an eyesore by man. Underground Atlanta is a shopping and entertainment district in the Five Points neighborhood of downtown Atlanta, Georgia, United States, near the intersection of the MARTA rail lines. First opened in 1969, it takes advantage of the viaducts built over the city's many railroad tracks to accommodate automobile traffic. Each level has two main halls, still called Upper and Lower Alabama and Pryor Streets.
But on April 30, 1992, in the wake of the Rodney King trial verdict, the area was severely damaged by rioters who smashed the windows of stores and restaurants. The following month saw a 40% decline in sales.
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Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
