Former Kentucky Senator Stumps for Legalized Georgia Horse Racing

• Former Kentucky Senator Damon Thayer spoke in favor of legalized Georgia horse racing during the state’s most recent sports betting study meeting
• Thayer noted legalized horse racing in the Peach State could be a new impactful revenue stream
• Thayer was instrumental in ushering legalized sports betting through in Kentucky in 2023

A former Kentucky senator, who was instrumental in pushing legalized sports betting through in the Bluegrass State in 2023, is now stumping for legalized horse racing in Georgia.

Damon Thayer, representing Georgia Racing and Entertainment, a group of investors prepared to invest in Georgia horse racing if legalized, said the state is “one of the last great frontiers of North America for horse racing.” Thayer presented during Georgia’s House Study Committee on Gaming’s latest study meeting.

“I think your population, demography, and geography and agriculture background would make this a huge state for horse racing and it would be a huge benefit for your economy,” Thayer said.

Horse Racing at a Sports Betting Meeting

Thayer discussed legalized horse racing during the House Study Committee on Gaming’s third sports betting meeting. The committee will continue to meet through Dec. 1, 2025, likely resulting in an official study on sports betting or suggestions on how it may be best done.

Georgia lawmakers have tried, and failed, to pass several bills over the last several years to legalize casino gambling and sports betting. The study committee was formed as a result of the Georgia legislation yet again failing to pass a sports betting bill in the last session.

Thayer did not touch on legalized sports betting, however. Now a member of the private sector after serving in the Kentucky Senate for more than two decades, Thayer said a study from the University of Kentucky shows the economic impact of horse racing in the state was nearly $6.5 billion a year, with an estimated 16,500 jobs, and could offer similar results in Georgia if legalized.

In 2025, horse racing has generated more than $76 million for Kentucky’s general fund due to historical horse racing machines at racetracks and off-track betting locations around the commonwealth, Thayer reported.

“The benefits to the general fund are tremendous. In addition to the direct revenue generated by wagering, all of the taxes generated by increased employment, industry support businesses, and tourism have also contributed to Kentucky’s rising economy. I share this with all of you as you consider the future of gaming in Georgia, because we’ve shown the equine industry can support agribusiness, tourism, and having a strong regulatory structure is important as well,” he said.

It’s a new role for Thayer, who was one of the biggest proponents of legalized sports betting in Kentucky during his time as a state senator. During his time as Kentucky Senate Majority Leader, Thayer helped usher a bill to legalize sports betting in the Bluegrass State over the finish line in March 2023.

The House Study Committee on Gaming will hold its fourth meeting on Thursday, Oct. 16.

New Ally For Georgia Sports Betting?

As Georgia representatives continue to explore legalized sports betting in the state, it may have picked up a larger ally for its cause.

Last week, Donald Trump Jr. expressed his opinion that Georgia should legalize sports betting to persuade state residents from using illegal bookies or offshore, unregulated sportsbooks.

It’s certainly an interesting opinion from Trump Jr., as he currently sits on Polymarket’s advisory board and is a strategic advisor for Kalshi. Both are prediction market companies and are now heavily invested in sports event contracts, which many believe is tantamount to sports betting.

Kalshi offers the contracts in Georgia – and Polymarket will as well when it re-launches in the U.S. – which would compete with sports betting if eventually legalized in the state.