Georgia Gambling Laws

Georgia gambling laws are extremely strict, allowing only for charity gambling and a state lottery. However, in the previous months there were many attempts to change the state’s approach towards gambling.

Georgia gambling laws

Georgia is not the best destination for those looking for casino fun. A person who “plays and bets for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, or balls” commits the offense of gambling and is guilty of misdemeanor. Since it’s illegal to gamble in Georgia, there are no operating casinos in the state at the moment. However, this might change in the future, according to recent US gambling news. A new bill, accompanied by a proposed constitutional amendment, would legalize casinos in Georgia. The House of Representatives approved the amendment and called for a statewide vote on the matter. If the plans come to fruition, there’ll be four casinos in Georgia. The bill would also establish a commission to oversee the Georgian casino market. Unfortunately, the bill was essentially killed for 2016. In Georgia, not even pari-mutuel betting is legal. In January 2016, legislation was passed to create a horse racing division within the Georgia Lottery Corporation and to organize a referendum to ask voters if they approve pari-mutuel betting in Georgia. This effort was also delayed. Currently, only charity bingo and raffles are allowed, for non-profit organizations.

Online Gambling in Georgia

There’s no specific law for online gambling in Georgia. However, the existing laws and definitions are applicable to online gambling too. Computers, smartphones, and tablets befit the description of gambling devices, if the person uses those to gamble. A gambling device is “any contrivance which […] affords the player an opportunity to obtain money or other thing of value […] determined by chance even though accompanied by some skill, whether or not the prize is automatically paid by contrivance.”

Lotteries in Georgia

The Georgia Lottery was established in 1992 to provide funds for the state’s education system. It is overseen and operated by the Georgia Lottery Corporation. Ever since its creation the Georgia Lottery transferred more than USD 16,7 billion to the state’s Education Account. Tickets can be purchased at licensed retailers and online. Online Georgian Lottery tickets are available for the KENO!, Mega Millions, Powerball, and Fantasy 5 draws but only from within the state.

Daily Fantasy Sports in Georgia

According to the official opinion of the Georgia’s Attorney General, Sam Olens, daily fantasy sports in Georgia constitute illegal gambling. After the Attorney General’s opinion, the legislature dropped a bill that would have legalized and regulated daily fantasy sports in Georgia. SB 352 would have provided consumer protection to Georgian daily fantasy sports players.