Two identical Atlanta casino bills have actually been introduced to both chambers associated with state’s General Assembly, and gambling companies across the nation are readying for the legislative fight by employing high-profile lobbyists.

The absolute most recent name to join the push for casinos in Georgia is former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour. The Republican who served two terms leading The Magnolia State has filed lobbyist paperwork in Atlanta to represent the interests of Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts.

Barbour joining the discussion is important due to their long friendship with current Georgia Governor Nathan Deal (R). State lawmakers have actually been pressing to legalize gambling that is commercial Georgia for more than a 12 months in an effort to increase tax revenue.

Deal has opposed legislation that is such the last, but recently hinted he would be open for a discussion should the casino law mandate that almost all the proceeds support training, and also the impact wouldn’t directly harm the state’s lottery system.

Minnesota charitable games are used by roughly 1,200 nonprofits across the Gopher State as a way to grow revenue for the missions of their respective organizations.

But the latest fiscal report on the legalized gambling sector shows that state tax coffers are getting rich, while the actual groups themselves are barely pulling in more money than they deliver to St. Paul.

The Star Tribune, the largest circulated newspaper in Minnesota, published a story this week showing that nonprofits paid $60.6 million in state taxes last year, while spending $62 million on their charitable work. And while overall the nonprofits engaged in charitable games still came out on top, that wasn’t the case for some groups.

For example, the Irving Community Association was on the hook for $733,000 in state taxes i n2016. But the 501(c)(3) group that supports youth organizations around the Duluth area spent just $306,000 on actual mission programs.

Tax rates vary depending on an organization’s total gambling revenue and which games they offer. Groups pay between 8.5 and 36 percent of their gross receipts on games like pull-tabs and electronic bingo to the state.

Some observers blame the nonprofits for having too much overhead, whil Read more →