Georgia’s new casino proposal calls for law change

A resort and casino along nearly 500 acres of land could be opened on the Georgia side of Lake Hartwell. The proposed property would be in Lavonia city, spanning across Franklin and Hart Counties.

However, it would be needed for Georgia lawmakers to change the law allowing casinos to operate in the state, and voters would then likely have to decide by a referendum.

Marshall Sayer, chairman of the Hart County Board of Commissioners, said he’d want to carefully look at a proposal before making up his mind because he wouldn’t want any casino resort to have a negative impact on downtown Hartwell.

“Mayor Johnson and the city council has done a tremendous job revitalizing downtown Hartwell and I would not want to do anything to take away from that or to tear that down,” he said. "I think that’s a consideration that people need to think about.”

Rick Lackey, the commercial real estate executive over the property said he believes Georgia lawmakers will move to allow for casinos sooner than later: “We believe it’s time and the logistics just really need to work out how the money will be divvied up around the state”.

Lackey said the resort will encompass roughly five miles of shoreline along Lake Hartwell, and that it would consist of shops and restaurants, and a golf course.

However, the WYFF reports that the people of downtown Hartwell were split with the idea of a casino.