Gambling Laws in Georgia (US)

Gambling laws in Georgia are relatively strict, with the 'Peach State' making all forms of gambling illegal. Even home-based games of poker are not permitted.

Which Gambling Activities Are Legal in Georgia?

The Georgia Code covers gambling laws, specifically section 16-12-20 which generally outlaws almost all forms of gambling. Currently, the only activities permitted are lottery games and bingo run by charitable organisations. 

Online and Landbased Casino Games

Land-based casino gambling in Georgia is illegal. No casino or other similar venues are anywhere within the state's borders. There is one notable exception: the Emerald Princess Casino, which is a cruise ship. This offers 250 slots plus blackjack, roulette, poker and craps. The floating venue circumvents Georgia's gambling laws by opening its casino games only once the vessel has entered international waters.

All online gambling sites are deemed illegal. The state's definition of gambling is 'betting upon the final result of any game or contest, or upon games played with cards, dice, or balls, to win money or other things of value'. Georgia takes a hardline approach to illegal gambling, with punishment consisting of a fine of up to $1,000 and even jail time of up to 12 months.

Poker Tables

Land-based poker games for real money are illegal in Georgia. Except those offered on the GA-docked Emerald Princess Casino cruise ship once the vessel is in international waters. Even poker games played within the privacy of your home are illegal.

Online poker is also illegal as it falls under the state's definition of gambling. The only channels that residents can legally access are games offered by free sites and apps.

Gambling on Bingo

Bingo gambling is legal in Georgia, but only in games run by charitable organisations. In addition, bingo game prize pools may not exceed the daily limit of $1,500 or the weekly limit of $3,000.

Playing bingo for money online is illegal, though residents still flock to the many USA online casinos which offer this popular game. To date, no prosecution has been brought against any individual though.

Lotto Games

Purchasing lottery tickets is legal and the Peach State has its own lotto. Residents can take part in local and national games, including the popular Powerball and Mega Millions. Venues also sell numerous scratch cards, keno and instant win games.

Unlike in other US states, online lottery gambling with real money is legal in Georgia. The state lotto website sells most of the same game tickets as their retail outlets, plus the online-only 'Diggi' games.

Gambling at Home and Crypto Casinos

Gambling in the privacy of your own home is not exempt from Georgia's gambling laws, with the same hardline approach taken in such cases. Neither lootboxes nor skins gambling have been specifically addressed - leaving these activities unregulated.

Regarding cryptos, even though the state defines these as 'a digital representation of money' they are not recognised as legal tender. This means that local businesses may not accept any virtual currencies. Crypto gambling sites are also 100% out of bounds and residents risk prosecution if they play at offshore sites.

Is It Legal to Bet on Sports in Georgia?

Nope, and this even includes greyhound and horse race betting too. There have been several attempts to pass sports betting legislation, but state voters would also have to approve any such movement.

Daily fantasy sports betting operated by industry giants like FanDuel and DraftKings is unofficially tolerated because these are games of skill rather than chance. A move to properly legalise the activity was proposed in 2017 but postponed the following year indefinitely.

What's the Minimum Gambling Age in Georgia?

To legally participate in Georgia's only permitted forms of gambling, residents must be at least 18.

Gambling Taxation Regulations

Georgia gambling tax regulation sets a state-wide rate of 1% to 5.75% on winnings, with 5.75% withheld automatically. On the federal level, a 24% tax is withheld pending completion of the required W-2G form.

History of Gambling Laws in Georgia

The earliest record of these dates back to 1877 when all forms of gambling were banned. Even the sale of lottery tickets was banned the following year.

It wasn't until 1976, that games of bingo and raffles were legalised for charitable purposes. Even the establishment of the state lotto was relatively late compared to others, with the Georgia Lottery launching in late 1992.

Slots and video poker machines operating on a gift card basis to exploit a loophole in the law were explicitly banned in 2002. Efforts were made to legalise sports betting in 2017, but the move was postponed indefinitely.

Key Facts

• Casino gambling is illegal in Georgia, except on board the Emerald Princess Casino cruise ship in international waters.

• Online casino gambling is unregulated but deemed illegal, according to the state's definition.

• Poker gambling is illegal except on the Emerald Princess Casino.

• Online poker gambling is illegal.

• Bingo gambling is legal, but only via charitable organisations.

• Online bingo gambling is illegal.

• Lottery gambling is legal, with the Georgia Lottery also permitted to sell tickets and other games online.

• Sports betting is illegal, while daily fantasy sports betting is tolerated.