Fulton County District 2 At-Large Commissioner Robb Pitts said
Tuesday that Georgia lawmakers and business leaders should consider
casino gambling "a key element" in financing Atlanta’s sewer system.
Pitts said that casino gambling would generate an independent pool of
revenue that could be dedicated, among other uses, for the sewer
projects. Casinos could provide particular benefit to low-income
households, including senior citizens, who will be hardest hit by
Atlanta’s sewer rate increases, he said.
By committing to allow two full gaming casinos in Georgia, the state
could receive more than $300 million in up front licensing fees from
casino developers, providing ready capital for the sewer project, said
Pitts, a former president of the Atlanta City Council.
"The two casinos we envision should produce sufficient net revenues
to amortize the costs of the City of Atlanta’s $3 billion sewerage
system improvements without an increase in sewerage rates," he said.