Fulton County District 2 At-Large Commissioner Robb Pitts said Tuesday that Georgia lawmakers and business leaders should consider casino gambling "a key element" in financing Atlanta's sewer system.

Pitts said that casino gambling would generate an independent pool of revenue that could be dedicated, among other uses, for the sewer projects. Casinos could provide particular benefit to low-income households, including senior citizens, who will be hardest hit by Atlanta's sewer rate increases, he said.

By committing to allow two full gaming casinos in Georgia, the state could receive more than $300 million in up front licensing fees from casino developers, providing ready capital for the sewer project, said Pitts, a former president of the Atlanta City Council.

"The two casinos we envision should produce sufficient net revenues to amortize the costs of the City of Atlanta's $3 billion sewerage system improvements without an increase in sewerage rates," he said.