Casino question on GOP primary ballot

ATLANTA — Republicans who vote in the Georgia primary at the end of July may be surprised to see a question about casino gambling.

Developer Dan O'Leary is one of the developers pushing for video lottery terminals.

O'Leary has proposed a $1 billion entertainment complex in Gwinnett County that would include the lottery terminals if the Georgia Lottery's board approves the plan.

"Every time you play that game your odds of winning are the same, but in a casino game, those odds can be manipulated at any time, " O'Leary told Channel 2 political reporter Lori Geary.
   
The question on the ballot asks Republicans, "Should Georgia have casino gambling with funds going to education," but O'Leary said he's very concerned about the wording.

"That question is very flawed," O'Leary said. "If that question were asked correctly it would show there's huge support for what we're doing and that might make it a lot easier for the lottery to go forward and save the HOPE Scholarship."

O'Leary projects his development could generate $350 million a year for the HOPE scholarship and pre-k programs. He's hoping the lottery board will approve his plan by the end of the year.

A spokesman for Gov. Nathan Deal told Geary the governor does not support an expansion of gambling.

WSBTV