Kentucky Advocate Pushes Horse Racing Legalization in Georgia Study Committee
The issue of legalizing horse racing is gaining traction in Georgia as part of the state’s larger debate on gambling expansion. The House Study Committee on Gaming is actively evaluating the potential economic benefits of the pari-mutuel betting industry.
The committee is tasked with assessing proposals for casinos, sports betting, and horse racing. This comprehensive evaluation is set to conclude when the committee delivers its legislative findings and proposals by December 1, 2025. Horse racing, like sports betting, currently remains illegal in Georgia.
The Economic Frontier of Horse Racing
The most vocal advocate for legalization is Damon Thayer, a former Kentucky State Senator. Thayer played a key role in legalizing sports betting in Kentucky in 2023. He now represents the investor group Georgia Racing and Entertainment, which is prepared to invest in the state’s horse racing infrastructure should legalization occur.
Thayer called Georgia “one of the last great frontiers of North America for horse racing.” He argued that Georgia’s population, demographics, geography, and strong agricultural background would make it a “huge horse racing state,”providing an “enormous benefit to the economy.”
To illustrate this potential, Thayer provided data from Kentucky:
- A University of Kentucky study calculated the horse industry’s economic impact in that state at nearly $6.5 billion annually.
- In 2025, Kentucky horse racing generated over $76 million for the state’s general fund. This revenue came from pari-mutuel betting and related activities, such as historical horse racing machines (HHRs).
Thayer emphasized the broad economic benefits, including taxes generated by tourism, new supporting businesses, and increased employment.
Social Opposition and Regulatory Caution
Despite the strong economic arguments, legalization faces stiff opposition. Opponents, including Jeanne Seaver, founder of Moms Against Gambling, warn against exacerbating addiction.
Seaver contended that Georgia, already a top state for doing business, “doesn’t need gambling messing things up.”Opponents often highlight the risk of mobile, 24/7 wagering, which they liken to having a casino constantly available on one’s phone. They caution that the gambling industry actively targets young people.
Horse racing is one of three major legislative pillars—alongside casinos and sports betting—that Georgia lawmakers must resolve as they consider a constitutional amendment for gambling expansion. The continued public hearings will provide the framework for the legislative decisions to follow in 2026.
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