April 16, 2024
Some would call it shenanigans. Others might call it mischief. I’m sure the terms of Monkeyshines and Tomfoolery come to mind for a few of you as well. Unfortunately, it’s politics as usual.
At this point, you are probably asking, “What’s going on?” With Georgia Baptists' help, you stopped the expansion of gambling in Georgia last year (see video below). We thought it was stopped this year as well.
WELL DONE - YOUR VOICE MATTERS from Georgia Baptist Mission Board on Vimeo.
Since 1963 the Georgia Baptist Convention has expresses opposition to the legalization of gambling 21 times by way of resolutions at annual meetings of convention churches. In 2014, a Resolution on Gambling was approved by the convention; and in 2015 the Resolution on Casino Gambling and Pari-Mutuel Wagering on Horse Racing was approved by the same.
Just a week ago, HB 118, the Fantasy Contests Act, was not going to make it out of committee in the Senate. It was also believed that SB 79 and the companion bill HB 158 for Casino “Resort Destinations” wouldn’t make it out of committees as well. Your actions helped stop them last week.
Now, there is a last-minute effort to move the casino bills out of committee by attaching a casino amendment to another bill likely to pass. A similar effort with a separate "popular" bill is underway that includes attaching a Daily Fantasy Sports amendment. What does this mean? It makes it extremely difficult for legislators to vote NO!
Please Call Your State Representative and Senator TODAY to Oppose Any Expansion of Gambling!
Politely ask them to OPPOSE casino gambling and Daily Fantasy Sports, regardless of its presentation or the bills these may be amended to. If you don’t know your representative or senator, you can look him/her up by your address at openstates.org.
Please contact House and Senate leadership to let them know Georgia Baptists do not want an expansion of gambling in Georgia and the resulting problems it brings. Leadership can influence committees and control what bills come to the floor for votes.
House Leadership:
Senate Leadership:
Thank you for your support on this important issue in Georgia that affects our families, our communities, and our churches. Please share this information with your congregations on Sunday and forward to your friends and family.
