At an equine study committee meeting today, chairman Harry Geisinger indicated that the panel will be proposing a public referendum in hopes to legalize pari-mutuel

wagering in the state.

The news comes via an item on the Atlanta Journal Constitution website, which noted that this isn't the first time the push for legalized pari-mutuel wagering has reared its head. The report states that a similar push as recently as 2005.

Alex Waldrop, former chairman of Churchill Downs and current president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, indicated that the introduction of legalized pari-mutuel wagering would not be the saviour of state budget issues, nor would it be "the devil's playground," a way in which some neigh sayers choose to characterize it as.

“You can, with confidence, explain to citizens of this state that there are jobs and economic development that will come with racing,” Waldrop was quoted as saying in the Atlanta Journal Constitution piece. “You can manage all the integrity issues, the safety and integrity issues and this will be a huge boon for the people of Georgia and an exciting opportunity to participate.”

Click here to the read the Atlanta Journal Constitution item in its entirety.

(With files from Atlanta Journal Constitution)