Georgia voters may soon decide whether to allow casinos in the state, with some of the proceeds going to the HOPE scholarship and pre-kindergarten programs.

A discussion between lawmakers regarding legislation that would allow casinos to set up shop in Georgia took place at a standing-room only hearing on Monday.

Atlanta is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the US that does not have some form of Las Vegas-style gaming, but efforts to introduce a casino bill in the past has been met with short shrift by the legislature.

State Rep. Ron Stephens has introduced legislation in March proposing a constitutional amendment to overturn the state’s ban on casino gambling, as well as a bill that would limit the number of casinos in the state to just six in five specific geographic areas.