The State of Georgia seemed like it was on the verge of expanding gaming. Which is including plans to add sports betting or to allow casinos. However, the state the legislature ended its session this year on Wednesday without taking action on the bill. Which means developers that were hoping to build casinos in the state will have to wait until 2022.

Developer Rick Lackey said he will continue negotiations. He expects to have contracts signed with several casino operators by early next year in anticipation of approval. He said he has 5,000 acres in the state under listing contracts, including sites on Lake Hartwell, the coast, Atlanta, and near the Florida border.

One of the casino plans Lackey has announced would be a roughly $300 million hotel. Including casino on five miles of Lake Hartwell shoreline at the South Carolina border. The site is around 500 acres and right off of Interstate 85’s exit 177, just over the border. It would include both luxury and workforce housing, retail, and a golf course.

The Georgia legislative session also ended without approving a sports betting proposal that have approval by the Senate. Even though the bill is still sitting in the legislature, Lackey called it good news because the sports betting plan wouldn’t have allowed casinos, and having a chance at getting casinos approved next year is better for his plans.

Legalized sports betting is becoming increasingly common in the country, half of the states have some form of legalized sports betting either in place or approved.