Former Atlanta Mayor Bottoms Proposes $300M Casino Revenue Stream to Boost Georgia’s Early Education

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms proposes using casino revenue to fund a $300M expansion of early childhood education.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 15, 2026, 10:56 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Gambling Insider

A "Game Changer" for Early Childhood Education

Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Mayor of Atlanta and current frontrunner for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, has centered her campaign on a bold plan to expand early childhood education through casino revenue. Bottoms estimates that legalizing casinos could inject up to $300 million into the state's coffers every year. During a recent interview with WJCL, she characterized the potential funding as a "game changer," pointing out the stark contrast between Georgia's top-tier business climate and its lagging education statistics, which currently sit in the bottom half of national rankings.

The Democratic Primary Field and Competing Visions

Bottoms’ proposal comes as the May 19 primary approaches, with early voting set to begin in just two weeks. Within the Democratic field, education, healthcare, and basic affordability have become the defining issues. Other notable candidates include former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who is running as a Democrat and focusing on labor relations, and State Sen. Jason Esteves, who has made significant early investments in television advertising. While the candidates agree on the need for increased education funding, Bottoms’ focus on gambling revenue distinguishes her platform from her peers.

Republican Focus on Manufacturing and Safety

On the Republican side, the primary battle is dominated by discussions on tax cuts, public safety, and job creation. High-spending candidates like Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and billionaire Rick Jackson have blanketed the airwaves with ads. Jackson, emphasizing a business-first approach, has proposed revitalizing in-state manufacturing to combat affordability issues, suggesting that high-paying industrial jobs are the solution to the state's economic hurdles. Other prominent figures in the Republican race include Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Attorney General Chris Carr.