Georgia has some of the strictest gambling laws in the United States, with no land-based casino gambling permitted and no state-regulated online gambling available.
Fortunately for Georgia residents, online casinos outside of the state are available and legal outside GA’s in-state legislation.
This page will cover the legality of different forms of gambling in Georgia and provide details on the online casinos that residents of GA can legally play at.
Summary of Georgia Gambling Laws
Online gambling at sites operating outside of Georgia is one of the only forms of legal gambling in the state. Georgia also has legal charitable bingo, a state lottery, and online social gaming, but land-based casinos or poker rooms are yet to be available. Here is a quick summary of legal gambling types in Georgia.
| Gambling | Georgia |
|---|---|
| Is Online Gambling Legal? | Yes |
| Playing at Online Casinos | Yes (offshore sites only) |
| Legal Age Online | 18+ |
| Land-Based Casinos | No |
| Legal Age Land-Based | N/A |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes (offshore sites only) |
| Charitable Gambling | Yes |
| State Lottery | Yes |
| Social Gaming | Yes |
Is Gambling Legal in Georgia?
Gambling isn’t available at any brick-and-mortar locations in Georgia.
However, there are plenty of online gambling options available to Georgia residents, thanks to operators located outside the state’s borders.
| Gambling | Georgia Legal Status |
|---|---|
| Online Casinos | Online casinos can not legally operate in Georgia, but GA residents can play at offshore online casinos. |
| Casino Gambling | Land-based casinos are not legal in Georgia. There are also no tribal casinos operating in the state. |
| Poker | Physical venue and online poker rooms are not legally allowed in GA. Poker players in the state can only play legally online at offshore poker rooms. |
| Betting on Horse Racing | Horse racing betting is not legal in Georgia. There are no horse racing tracks or off-track betting locations operating in Georgia. |
| Betting on Dog Racing | Dog racing betting is also not legal in Georgia. While greyhound racing was previously legal in neighboring states like Florida, it has never been legal in Georgia. |
| Lottery | Participating in the state-run lottery is legal in Georgia for players 18 years or older. |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Daily fantasy sports sites currently operate in Georgia. No laws regarding DFS exist, so they operate within a gray area in GA. |
| Sports Betting | Sports betting is not legal at any retail locations in Georgia, nor is it legalized for online sports betting purposes. Still, state residents can bet on sports using offshore online sportsbooks. |
| Charitable Gaming | Charity bingo is legal when run by nonprofit charity organizations with approved licenses by Georgia’s Secretary of State. |
| Social Gaming | In-person social gambling is illegal in Georgia. Meanwhile, social and sweepstakes online casinos are legal in GA and across the United States. |
Best Georgia Online Casinos
All the online casinos we recommend are safe, secure, and operating legally in countries that allow operators to provide gaming to casino players in Georgia.
Below are our recommendations for the best online casinos available for Georgia players.
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Where to Gamble in Georgia
The only in-person gambling available to Georgia residents comes from Georgia Lottery tickets and charitable bingo events. Players looking for other forms of gambling will need to use the Internet to get in on the action.
Here’s an in-depth look at the different forms of gambling that are and aren’t available to players in Georgia.
Land-Based Casinos in GA
The Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) deems gambling to be a criminal offense; therefore, there aren’t any land-based casinos in the state. There is an absence of Indian reservations or federally recognized Native American tribes, so there are no tribal casinos within state lines.
Horse & Dog Tracks
Pari-mutuel betting is illegal in GA, so there are no horse racing or dog racing tracks in the state or off-track betting locations to bet on these sports.
Senate Bill 57 was proposed by Georgia lawmakers in 2023, aiming to legalize betting on horse racing and sports at locations regulated by the Georgia Lottery. This bill lost by a vote of 37-19 in March, a significant blow to legalization efforts.
Online Sports Betting
Online sports betting operators aren’t legally allowed to operate in Georgia. Sports fans interested in betting on sports online must use sportsbooks operated outside of the state.
The most recent attempt at online sports betting legislation came from House Bill 237, read on the Senate floor in March of 2023, but has yet to receive a formal vote.
Bingo Halls and Charitable Gambling
Nonprofit organizations can apply for a license to run charitable bingo games in Georgia. Licensed organizations can and do run legal bingo events throughout the state.
Georgia Law prohibits bingo operators from awarding more than $1,500 in cash or gifts on any given calendar day or over $3,000 in cash or gifts on any calendar week.
Social Gaming at Home
Social gaming at home is not legal in Georgia. Any form of gambling in person, even a friendly poker game, is technically considered a misdemeanor crime by Georgia law.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
Land-based poker rooms are illegal in Georgia, and as mentioned above, even poker games held at private locations are outlawed.
Poker fans looking to get in the game must make their way online. Licensed offshore poker rooms offer poker players in Georgia a safe and legal option for playing poker for real money against other players in the United States and worldwide.
Eight-Liners
Often found in bars, eight-liners are games similar to slot machines. These games are illegal in Georgia and are rare in this state.
Casino Cruises
Cruise ships sail 12 miles from the United States coast to operate in international waters outside the jurisdiction of state laws.
These ships allow players to play slot machines and popular casino table games legally.
Real Money Online Casino Games You Can Play in Georgia
Although land-based casinos and state-licensed gambling sites are banned in the state, you can easily and legally access and play at offshore sites while there.
Online Slots
Playing real money slots online legally in Georgia is possible thanks to online casinos that operate outside of state lines.
These sites offer selections of hundreds of slots that work the same way slot machines at brick-and-mortar casinos do. Online slots feature bonuses, jackpots, and more.
The only way to play slot machines in person as a Georgia resident is to leave the state, either traveling to a tribal casino in a neighboring state or going on a casino cruise that departs from the coastline.
Online Poker
Online real money poker sites have large global player pools. You’ll always be able to find an empty Texas Hold ’em table for cash games, Sit & Go tournaments, and even multi-table tournaments with guaranteed cash prizes.
Online poker rooms provide an excellent alternative for poker players in Georgia who want to play their favorite card game legally.
Poker rooms are not legally allowed to operate within Georgia’s state borders. According to state laws, even friendly home games played for real money are technically illegal.
Blackjack
One of the perks of playing blackjack online is that most casinos offer different variants of the popular game. These games add the potential to win bonuses or to spice up the classic game with new ways to play.
You can also stick to the classic version and aim for your 3-to-2 payouts on blackjack if that’s what you prefer.
Blackjack players in Georgia must leave the state to find a blackjack table at an in-person location.
Live Dealer Games
Online live dealer games allow casino players in Georgia to stay within the state while enjoying the interaction of playing table games with a real dealer.
The best online casinos for Georgia residents recommended on this page have software that gives you access to live dealers dealing table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat.
The betting on these games is digital, but the cards dealt and wheels spun are real.
Other Available Games at Georgia Online Casinos
The popular online casino games listed above are just some of the ones that players in Georgia have access to.
Here are a few more top games GA residents can legally play at our best recommended online casinos.
Best Bonuses at Georgia Gambling Sites
One of the perks of signing up for a legal online casino is cashing in on generous welcome promotions. Two top bonuses for online gambling sites for Georgia players are listed below.
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Bovada’s sign-up bonuses give new casino players in Georgia a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 on their first three deposits for a maximum potential value of $3,000 in bonus credits.
This promotion comes with a 25X wagering requirement and is available on your first three deposits of just $20 or more.
Use the promo code NEWWELCOME to activate this offer before your first deposit at Bovada.
Georgia Online Gambling Laws
Georgia has very few laws on its books when it comes to forms of legalized gambling. There are no brick-and-mortar casinos, poker rooms, or horse racing tracks anywhere in the state, as betting on all these events in person is prohibited.
All attempts to pass legislation to legalize state-regulated gambling in Georgia have failed up to this point. Even in-person social gaming is prohibited in Georgia, making the state one of the strictest in the United States against gambling.
Is Online Gambling Legal in GA?
Despite Georgia’s hard stance against gambling within its state borders, there are no laws prohibiting online casinos outside of the state from offering online casino games to Georgia residents.
Thus, playing at online casinos, sports betting sites, and poker rooms outside Georgia is legal.
Gambling in Georgia is a Misdemeanor
Georgia defines the offense of gambling as making a bet of any kind on a game or sporting event, making a bet on a political event, or making a bet on any game played with cards, dice, or balls.
Any person who commits this offense is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Lotteries and Nonprofit Bingo Games Permitted
It prohibits all other forms of gambling, stating that “all forms of pari-mutuel betting and casino gambling are at this moment prohibited, and penal laws shall enforce this prohibition.
*Please be advised that the information provided on this page does not constitute legal advice. Our team strongly recommends you seek professional counsel from a qualified attorney regarding your specific questions or concerns on the topic.
Georgia Online Gambling vs. Neighbor States
Georgia sits within a region of the United States that historically has seen fairly strict gambling laws. Here’s how online gambling in Georgia compares to some of its neighboring states.
| US State | Playing at Online Casinos | State Regulated Casinos | Social Casinos | Online Sports Betting | Lottery | Fantasy Sports | Charitable Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Gray Area | Legal |
| Florida | Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Gray Area | Legal |
| Alabama | Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Not Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Legal in Certain Counties |
| Tennessee | Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
Tennessee launched legal sports betting in 2020, and Florida did so in 2023. Alabama has not legalized sports betting, but it has legalized Daily Fantasy Sports.
Florida and Alabama have tribal casinos to offset the lack of state-regulated brick-and-mortar casinos.
Georgia’s lack of action on the online gambling front and absence of land-based gambling except for lotto and charity bingo make this a rigid state for gamblers to live in, even by this region’s standards.
Legal online casinos operating out-of-state and casino cruises provide a welcome reprieve from Georgia’s strict laws.
Tips For Playing at Georgia Online Casinos Safely
Picking the right online casino is vital to having a safe and enjoyable experience. Follow these tips when deciding which out-of-state gambling site is the best fit for you when playing from the comfort of your home in Georgia.
Check for Reputation
Safe and legal online casinos tend to be well-reviewed. Search online for the opinions of other US players, especially fellow Georgia residents.
Licensed Sites
Most reputable online casinos have licenses in the countries where they operate. Check for a license or ask customer service for details if it isn’t listed.
Verify SSL Encryption
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption protects your personal information and payment data. Confirm that the casino you are considering uses SSL technology or something similar.
View Banking Options
Online casinos vary in their deposit and withdrawal options. Make sure that your preferred banking methods are available.
Confirm Game Transparency
Reputable online casinos usually feature casino games with info screens that include details like who the software developer is, game rules, and game odds.
Confirm this by checking out some of the games on display.
Seek Problem Gambling Resources
Responsible gambling is essential for everyone. Great casinos should have resources like help websites and self-imposed limit options if needed.
Pros & Cons of Gambling in Georgia
Gambling in Georgia is complicated due to the state’s strict laws against retail casino locations.
Luckily, offshore online casinos offset these obstacles for Georgia residents.
Pros
- Availability of online casinos based offshores for casino gaming, online poker, and sports betting.
- Charity bingo and lottery are legal.
- Casino cruises deliver the experience of in-person casino gambling on the water.
- You only need to be 18+ to gamble legally in Georgia.
Cons
- In-state online casinos are not legal.
- No land-based casinos, poker rooms, or horse tracks are available.
- Legislation in favor of gambling has failed to gain traction.
The Future of Georgia Online Gambling: Our Prediction
Lawmakers in Georgia have attempted to push the agenda of legalizing gambling forward in recent years. Bills like Senate Bill 57, which tried to legalize sports and horse racing betting, and House Bill 237, which aimed to legalize online sports betting, were read in the Georgia Senate in 2023. Still, neither was able to gain any traction.
The failure of these bills makes it difficult to find much room for optimism regarding the legalization of Georgia-regulated online gambling. Even if state officials eventually come around and legalize some form of gambling, it would likely take years for the state to iron out the details and award licenses to in-state operators.
Legal online casinos operating offshores outside of Georgia’s jurisdiction are the best and only option available to casino players in Georgia for the foreseeable future.
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Georgia Gambling FAQs
Do you still have questions about online gambling in Georgia? Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Georgia online gambling.
Gambling wins in Georgia are taxed 1-5.75% based on the game type and state regulations while being held to a 24% fixed rate federally.
Disclaimer
As part of our commitment to transparency, it’s important to disclose that this website engages in affiliate marketing. This means that when you click on our links to online casinos and make a purchase or sign up, we may earn a commission.
These commissions contribute to the upkeep of our platform and the creation of valuable content. While we aim to provide accurate and unbiased information, it’s crucial to note that our reviews are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Additionally, we advocate for responsible gambling practices and encourage users to gamble responsibly. If you believe you may have a gambling problem, please seek assistance from relevant support services.