Georgia

As with the bordering states of South Carolina and Alabama, Georgia gambling laws are relatively restrictive. There are no land-based casinos, sports betting is prohibited, and legal online gambling is not offered by the Georgia Constitution.

Although fantasy sports contests remain implicitly unauthorized, it has been tolerated so far. This is because of the argument that fantasy contests are a game of skill rather than chance and therefore distinct from casino gambling or online poker.

Players close to the Florida border may find some relief from The Sunshine State in the way of racinos and tribal casinos.

Perhaps these restrictions explain why some Georgia players have turned to other options for legal online gambling and online casinos to play slots, table games, live dealer games, and sports betting.

If you’re interested in playing offshore online casino games, our experts have put together a list of recommended online casinos for you. We’ve also assembled a second list of some of the best online casino bonuses for Georgians.

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Georgia Online Gambling & Sportsbooks in 2022

As of 2022, there are no legal options for online sportsbook or online casinos in Georgia, but may be something that players can look to enjoy in the near future.

With bills coming close to passing in both 2021 and recently in 2022, a new plan to back legislation could see legalised options become available in 2023.

Best Bonuses in Georgia Online Casinos

You can well imagine that a state as restrictive on online gambling as Georgia would not exactly be overflowing with casino bonus offers – at least at land-based facilities. Surprisingly or not surprisingly, depending on your perspective, the best bonuses in Georgia casinos are the ones available from online casinos.

Such bonuses might include a signup no deposit bonus, a deposit bonus, free spins or other exciting promotions on popular slots and online casino games. What makes the online casinos below stand out from the crowd is twofold.

First, they offer a competitive amount of free spins and bonus money, potentially meaning more chances to win for the average player from Georgia.

Where many online casinos fall short is on the second point, which is the bonus T&Cs. Our experts have scoured the bonus T&Cs, including the wagering requirements, and found the ones belonging to the casinos below fair. If you’re after an exciting casino bonus with fair bonus T&Cs, then we invite you to have a look at these online casinos.

Best New Casinos and Online Sports Betting in Georgia

Having no commercial or tribal casinos in Georgia means physical gambling on slot machines and casino table games is impossible. It’s no wonder that Georgians have been forced to look to real money online casinos to play video slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, video poker, specialty games, etc.

Some may even be surprised by all the choices of operators that they find. Still, it pays dividends to do your homework to separate the great operators from the ones you should avoid, like the plague.

The best new online casinos in Georgia are safe and trustworthy. This means that they are licensed, use the latest security protocols to protect your privacy, and have plenty of tested & certified (fair) slots and casino games.

USD casinos online should accommodate the broadest possible number of payment methods (i.e., Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover, etc.) to make fast & secure deposits and withdrawals. New casinos also allow Americans to deposit and withdraw Bitcoins or other cryptocurrencies.

We’ve listed our favorite online casinos in Georgia below. Find out what makes them unique by reading our comprehensive guides for each.

Georgia Gambling Laws Overview

Georgia is one of the most gambling-restrictive states in America. Charity gaming, which comprises bingos and raffles, is legal. Aside from that, the only other permitted gambling is lotteries. No legal sports betting, no online casinos, no GA gambling sites at all.

Georgia represents one of a handful of states where tribal and commercial casinos are not permitted. In Savannah, Georgia, a cruise ship called The Emerald Princess offers slots and table games on international waters.

Their service includes 250 slots, 12 blackjack tables, 2 Stud Poker tables, a craps table, and 2 roulette wheels. The Emerald Princess casino is the only place where Georgians can play casino games somewhat legally.

Pari-mutuel and horse race betting, along with online sports betting, are also prohibited.

Almost all forms of Internet gambling are banned, although residents can legally purchase lottery tickets online. No legislation explicitly legalizes (daily) fantasy sports, but it is not technically online sports betting and thus, it is treated as a skill game that’s tolerated. Big operators like DraftKings, Yahoo! Sports, CBS Sports, and FanDuel accept players from Georgia.

Despite past setbacks to introducing more forms of gambling, public opinion has softened. It would seem that it is only a matter of time before Georgia’s constitution is amended to reflect this changing attitude. Many politicians are recognizing the potential tax revenue implications from sports betting, casinos, and horse racing.

It’s believed sports betting is most likely to pass near term because it’s described as a path of least resistance: this could open the door to casino games and online poker, particularly if the state betting tax revenue is ring-fenced for a purpose that can win the backing of a wider cross-section of lawmakers.

Lotteries

Residents of Georgia can purchase online lottery tickets from the Georgia Lottery, managed by the state government. Proceeds are used to fund education, including the HOPE Scholarship. The state lottery offers instant games (including scratch tickets), draws, and keno. Additionally, the lottery sells multistate tickets, including Mega Millions, Powerball, and Cash4Life. The Georgia Lottery provides a free mobile app for android and iOS.

The entity also regulates coin-operated amusement machines (COAM), considered games of skill.

Charity Games

According to § 16-12-50, recreational bingo halls run by licensed non-profit and tax-exempt organizations are permitted. Bingo prizes cannot exceed $1,500 per day and $3,000 per calendar week. Licenses to Raffles in Georgia are issued by county sheriff offices rather than the state.

Georgia Gambling History

Charity gaming offering bingo and raffles was first legalized in 1976.

In 1992, ‘Peach State’ voters voted for a constitutional amendment that would legalize the state lottery. The Georgia Lottery began regulating video lottery (COAM) in 2013.

In 2012 a Bill to legalize a land-based commercial casino failed to receive the necessary support and died. Profits would have been donated to an educational program.

In 2017 attempts to introduce a casino to Atlanta and either Columbus, Savannah, or Agusta failed.

In 2020, politicians from Georgia led by Republican Sen Burt Jones attempted to legalize sports betting through the Georgia Lottery by introducing Bill 403. The Bill never made it past the committee. Bill HB 903 introduced in June, was an attempt by the Senate to revive the original Bill, but it also failed to pass.

Later that same month, Senate Resolution 841 was voted in favor by the Georgia House Regulated Industries Committee. It would allow an amendment to Georgia’s constitution to enable pari-mutuel wagering, casino gambling, and sports betting via a two-thirds majority in a referendum. It also failed to live past the committee.

In January 2021, lawmakers introduced another Bill to legalize online sports betting. As of February 2021, the Bill has advanced to the state House. It remains unclear as to whether a lottery-run sports betting operation would need a constitutional amendment.

Georgia Online Gambling FAQ

 

Does Georgia have land-based casino gambling?

No, Georgia does not permit any form of land-based casinos. This means there are no commercial casinos nor tribal casinos. A cruise ship called The Emerald Princess, departing from Savannah, Georgia offers slots and table games on international waters. While you may not be able to play casino games online in Georgia, you can play them on a liner!

Has Georgia legalized fantasy sports and daily fantasy sports?

Although Georgia has not legalized fantasy sports or daily fantasy sports, no explicit laws prohibit the game. Hence, Georgia residents can participate in DFS/FS without breaking any laws at websites, including DraftKings, Yahoo! Sports, CBS Sports, and FanDuel.

Does Georgia offer state/interstate lotteries?

Yes, The Georgia Lottery was introduced in 1992 after a constitutional amendment. Players from Georgia can purchase both state (and interstate) lottery tickets, local keno, and scratch tickets. This entity also regulates video lottery (COAM).

Are there state and federal taxes on Georgia lottery winnings?

Yes, The Georgia Lottery withholds state taxes of 5.75% and federal taxes of 24% on prizes above $5,000.

Is legal online gambling available in Georgia?

Online gambling in Georgia is prohibited except for lottery tickets that can be purchased online. Online daily fantasy sports and fantasy sports are tolerated since they are considered games of skill but are not explicitly legal.

Is sports betting legal in Georgia?

No sports betting in Georgia is currently prohibited.

What forms of gambling in Georgia are legal?

Georgia has some of the most restrictive gambling laws in the United States. The only legal forms of gambling are state lotteries and charity gaming. Online casino gambling in Georgia is a long way away from being legal, right now.

Are fantasy sports and daily fantasy sports legal in Georgia?

There is nothing in the Georgia Constitution to prohibits DFS/FS. However, these forms of betting are not explicitly legal either. The state has turned a blind eye to these games as they are considered games of skill. Georgians can find big providers like DraftKings and Fan Duel, who accept players from the state.

What is the legal gambling age in Georgia?

The legal gambling age in Georgia is 18 years and older. This may change if online gambling is permitted, as some forms of gambling are considered to be more appropriate for players over 21. In order to pass online casino legislation, it may be necessary to agree to more stringent restrictions.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, Georgia remains one of the most restrictive gambling states. Disappointingly, this doesn’t appear likely to change any time soon. A Bill to introduce mobile sports wagering was introduced in 2021 but had been delayed.

If you’re content with the Georgia Lottery and charitable bingo & raffles, the limitations may not be such a big deal. Unfortunately, if you enjoy playing Vegas-style online casino games, you are definitely living in the wrong state!

Some Georgian players have been left with little choice but to satisfy their online gambling and casino passion online. If you count yourself among them, we can recommend some exceptional online casinos and bonuses.

Additionally, you may also want to visit our Georgia page every so often for gambling updates. If online casino gaming is legalized, we’ll tell you all about it.