Georgia’s Republican leadership in the State Senate have pushed through a sports betting referendum despite calls from the state’s largest religious denomination’s objections.  Leaders of the Georgia Baptist Convention are disappointed with the Republican-backed plan that will allow voters to decide if the state should allow an expansion of gambling in the state.

The Senate voted 41-12 this past Tuesday to pass Senate Resolution 579, another toward putting a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot for Georgia voters to ratify or reject. But first, it would have to be green lighted by a two-thirds majority of House lawmakers.

The 1.4 million-member Georgia Baptist Convention, which has steadfastly opposed the expansion of gambling based on moral and ethical concerns, is pinning hopes on like-minded House lawmakers to derail the proposal.

Georgia Baptists are calling on voters to contact their state representatives to oppose the measure.