A majority of voters in the US state of Georgia say they favour allowing casino gambling in the state, according to a new poll conducted for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The poll, conducted this week, found that 56 per cent of registered voters support the idea, with only 38 per cent opposed. Republican Senator Brandon Beach is set to introduce a plan in the upcoming legislative session to allow up to five casinos and one horse-racing track.

To succeed, Beach will need two-thirds of the House and Senate to agree to allow voters in 2018 to decide whether to amend the state constitution to allow the new forms of gambling. Local governments and voters would then have to vote again.

While the poll shows support for the idea, the number of those favouring casinos has dropped considerably since January 2016. An AJC poll then found 69 per cent supported casino gambling.