Business & Tech

Casino Could Bring Thousands of Jobs to Atlanta

Georgia voters may soon be asked whether to legalize casino gambling, betting on horse races.

The CEO of one of Las Vegas’ biggest casino businesses says that Atlanta would see a windfall in new jobs and revenue if voters chose to legalize casino gambling in a referendum.

Jim Murren of MGM Resorts International spoke before two Georgia House and Senate committees deliberating whether to add a referendum for constitutional amendments legalizing casino gambling and horse race betting to the 2016 ballot. Some of the cash generated by the new businesses would go to the HOPE Scholarship and the state’s pre-K programs, Atlanta Business Chronicle says.

Murren said a $1 billion casino in Atlanta would create between 4,000 and 5,000 permanent jobs, the Chronicle reports.

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