More money could flow to the state’s strained HOPE scholarship program under a measure adopted Thursday by House lawmakers.
House Bill 487 would give control and enforcement of video poker machines to the Georgia Lottery Corp. and direct that a share of the profits go to the HOPE program. The plan, which passed 166-4, enjoyed support from Gov. Nathan Deal and several powerful GOP lawmakers.
It allows video poker machines as long as they are registered and taxed, and stores featuring them would only be allowed to award vouchers for merchandise in the store, not cash or tobacco or alcohol. The machines would be plugged into a centralized monitoring system that will track how much money is being spent.
State Rep. Matt Ramsey, R-Peachtree City, said the proposal aims to tackle the “major problem” of unregulated video poker around the state. Violators could be fined up to $50,000.
“Casinos are popping up all over our state in the backs of gas stations,” he said. “They’re really becoming a problem.”
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