Georgia Online Gambling & Casinos
Updated: Oct 15While online gambling legislation is rapidly changing across the nation, Georgia still has some of the strictest gambling laws of any state.
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Is Online Gambling Legal in Georgia?
No. Georgia is still a highly conservative state with some of the strictest gambling laws in the nation. Legislation proposed in 2020 that would have allowed voters to weigh in on expanding gambling laws and permitting things such as legal sports betting and land-based casinos failed early on.
Georgia online casino enthusiasts can, however, take advantage of social casinos. These are free for the player and offer a variety of table games and slot machines. Players are granted tokens and sweeps coins upon sign-up at top social casinos such as Chumba. They can then play games and tournaments with sweeps coins for a chance to earn real cash or other prizes.
These technically count as sweepstakes rather than casino gambling, so social casinos are allowed in the state of Georgia.
When Will Georgia Legalize Online Gambling?
It’s difficult to say at the moment. Considering the state’s strict history, even failing legislation could be considered progress with these proposals at least being put on paper.
House Resolution 378 aimed to expand the state’s gambling laws and failed in 2020. But House Bill 93, which would legalize sports wagering and online sports betting, passed 5-2 on a Senate Special Judiciary Committee vote in June 2020. It still needs to pass a two-thirds vote in the Senate before being sent to Gov. Brian Kemp for approval.
While there’s been no tangible progress in past years, it seems the state is at least more willing to have the conversation on legal online gambling.
Will All Casinos in Georgia Offer Online Gambling?
Currently there are no land-based casinos in the state of Georgia. State law still forbids every form of gambling other than a state-run lottery. It’s possible that could change in the coming years with proposed legislation now looking at expanding the state’s zero-tolerance policy on gambling.
Will Online Casino Apps Launch in Georgia?
If and when Georgia ever moves to legalize real-money online casinos, mobile apps would be widespread. These are just stripped-down versions of the online casino with all the same table games and slot machines available in a slick mobile interface. These are easy to download on any iOS or Android device and have become an extremely convenient way to play all your favorite real money casino games online.
Expected Online Casino Games to Launch in Georgia
Online Slots
Online slots are very popular in states with real money online casinos and can be found in Georgia at several top social casinos. They’re very similar to games you’d find at brick-and-mortar casinos. They’re also far more convenient than pacing the casino floor looking for a specific machine with your preferred stakes.
Online Poker
Online poker is also illegal in Georgia but would presumably be included in any successful sports betting or casino gambling legislation. Internet poker games like Texas Hold’em have been hugely popular in recent decades, providing easy practice for serious tournament players or a welcoming environment for newcomers looking to learn poker for the first time.
Lottery
Georgia actually has a state lottery, which is basically the only form of gambling the state allows. The Georgia state lottery was founded in 1992 and currently offers a mobile app where residents can play their favorite lottery games online.
Roulette
Online roulette is a staple at most top online casino sites. The rules are the same, all the typical bets are available and the same methods one could use at a land-based casino – James Bond strategy, the Reverse Martingale, etc. – work just as well with online roulette.
Online Blackjack
Online blackjack is a great way to play for money at online casinos or to practice at various social casinos. Blackjack is all about reps and getting comfortable with different card combinations, double-down and split scenarios. It’s much easier to master the basics playing online than a crowded table at a land-based casino.
Live Dealer
This is a relatively niche portion of online casino play in which a human deals via video feed from a remote location. Other than that visual, the rest of the experience is basically the same as it would be with a traditional online casino game. There’s no guarantee they would become available in Georgia even if the state moves to legalize online gambling.
How to Deposit and Withdraw from GA Gambling Sites
Online casinos in legal states have greatly expanded their payment and withdrawal options in recent years.
Debit/credit card deposits are more readily available than ever. Most consumers are used to paying for online goods this way, but some banks still block legal casino deposits. If this is your preferred method, check directly with the bank rather than the casino should you run into any issues. Banks that do allow credit card payments may charge higher fees for the transaction.
PayPal is an increasingly common method and allows users with existing accounts to simply transfer funds from their PayPal account to the online casino. Those without PayPal accounts can sign up in a matter of minutes, make the deposit in PayPal, then transfer over to the online casino. You can also withdraw back into your PayPal account.
The Play+ card and similar e-cards are another easy way to move funds to the online casino. Instead of paying the online casino directly, you can load your Play+ card with your preferred deposit amount. Then you can use the Play+ card to deposit those funds into your casino account. You can withdraw winnings back to the card and access those funds at an ATM.
E-wallets other than PayPal are also another good method. Popular ones like Skrill and Neteller allow players to make their deposits with online casinos using their existing e-wallet accounts.
ACH payments and bank transfers are another way if none of those sound appealing, but almost everyone should be able to find an online casino with a deposit method that works for them.
Bonuses to be Offered in Georgia
If and when online casinos are available in Georgia, players should definitely take advantage of incentives and bonus offers. Almost all of the top online casinos provide incentives for first-time signups that greatly benefit the player.
Matched deposits are a popular bonus at several online casinos. It’s especially beneficial for those planning to deposit $500 or more. The casino matches your initial deposit and doubles your funds right from the start. The only catch is you may have to wager a certain amount before the matched deposit kicks in. Be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully. You may also be offered a free bet or a no-deposit bonus, which is smaller than a deposit match but with much lower playthrough requirements.
Refer-a-friend bonuses are easy to take advantage of. All you have to do is find another player interested in signing up with the casino. Once they do so, the player who referred them will receive bonus funds in their account. Pretty standard referral program, but this one results in real cash in your casino account.
Free spins are popular with the online slot machine enthusiasts. These are basically credits or tokens that provide a player a certain number of slot machine spins for no risk. They can keep all the winnings amassed from the free spins and don’t lose anything if the slots aren’t hitting.
Make sure to figure out how much you’re willing to deposit and what type of games you’ll be most likely to play in order to find the online casino with the best bonus for you personally.
Online Gambling in Georgia
All forms of gambling in Georgia were illegal prior to 1992, when the state founded its first legalized lottery game via the Lottery for Education Act. The lottery has since generated more than $3.5 billion for the state.
In 2012, the state legislature approved a casino with money going toward a state education program. But then-Gov. Nathan Deal refused to sign the bill into law. Three years later, in 2015, the Coast Guard removed the license for the Tradewinds Casino Cruise, which had been operating outside of Georgia gambling laws.
Several bills and pieces of gambling legislation have been proposed in recent years, but Gov. Brian Kemp remains firmly opposed to gambling. That’s made it difficult for sports gambling and online casino proposals for legalized gambling to gain any sort of momentum.
Timeline of Gambling Legislation in Georgia
When is Georgia Legalizing Sports Gambling?
It’s difficult to say. The most recent bills have failed to advance any sort of ballot proposal, though lawmakers are increasingly working on new legislation in an attempt to legalize sports gambling in Georgia some time down the road.
Daily Fantasy Sports Betting in Georgia
While Daily Fantasy Sports isn’t technically legal in Georgia, it falls under a gray area as the state has not ruled definitively one way or the other. That means DraftKings and FanDuel freely operate in the state of Georgia, and legislators haven’t made any attempts to shut down Daily Fantasy Sports in recent years.
Horse Betting in Georgia
Georgia is one of the few states that has banned horse racing betting entirely. It would presumably be included in any future sports gambling legislation, but live track and pari-mutuel horse and greyhound betting remains off limits in Georgia for now.
Expected Online Sportsbooks to Launch in Georgia
While legal sports gambling remains off the table in Georgia for now, we can guess that most top online sportsbooks would like to get a piece of the action if legislation ever passes. Operators such as DraftKings, FanDuel, William Hill, BetMGM, 888sport and FOXBet are widely available in states with legal sports gambling and offer a variety of different wagering lines and bet types. You would expect some would want to open an online sportsbook and offer mobile betting should it become legal, depending on the regulations.
What Sports Can I Bet On When Georgia Legalizes Sports Gambling?
Some states with legal sports gambling have prohibited betting on in-state college teams or in-state college competitions. Others have no such rules and allow widespread betting on all college teams. There’s no telling which direction Georgia would go. But in the event of legalized sports gambling in Georgia, wagering options would include:
- College football
- College basketball
- NFL
- NHL
- MLB
- NBA
- NASCAR
- UFC
- Boxing
- ATP tennis
- WTA tennis
- PGA Tour golf
- MLS/professional soccer
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References
- Georgia Lottery Corporation (July 24,2020). Retrieved July 24, 2020, from https://www.galottery.com/en-us/home.html
- US Department of Justice (January 24,2020). Retrieved Feb. 6, 2020, from https://www.justice.gov/
- American Gaming Association (n.d.). Retrieved Feb. 5, 2020, from https://www.americangaming.org/
- National Council on Problem Gambling (n.d.). Retrieved Feb 6, 2020, from https://www.ncpgambling.org/programs-resources/resources/
- International Association of Gaming Regulators (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2020 from https://www.iagr.org/
FAQ
Can you gamble online in Georgia?
The state-run lottery app and Daily Fantasy Sports are currently the only options for online gambling in Georgia, though social casinos are also legal.
What is the legal gambling age in Georgia?
The legal gambling age in Georgia is 18.
Do I need to live in Georgia to gamble online once it goes live?
No. Tourists and visitors would be eligible for online gambling in Georgia should it come to fruition, though they’d need to remain inside state lines while doing so.
Why do some sites have online casino offers in Georgia?
Social casinos are perfectly legal in Georgia and represent a great alternative to illegal gambling at risky, offshore casino sites. Any real money offers you see would be from an offshore operator, and bettors are best to avoid them.
Where can I gamble in Georgia?
Georgia gamblers can buy lottery tickets at retail locations or online and play Daily Fantasy Sports online.
Can I bet on sports online in Georgia?
No. Sports betting remains prohibited in Georgia for the time being.
Who will regulate online gambling in Georgia?
The Georgia Lottery Corporation currently oversees the state-run lottery, but it’s unclear if another branch would regulate additional online gambling.
Will online gambling in Georgia be safe once legal?
Yes. Unlike offshore casino sites, legal real-money online casinos are heavily regulated and vetted to ensure the player’s personal information is safe and they get fair odds on games and slot machines.
How will Georgia tax my gambling winnings?
Winnings up to a certain amount would presumably be subject to state income tax at a sliding rate up to 5.75%, though individual states differ in how they tax gambling winnings.
What Georgia casinos are eligible for a gaming license?
Georgia currently has no land-based casinos, so there are none eligible for a gaming license.
Contributors
Hi, I'm Ron Fritz
"Three decades covering online gaming, news and sports. My expertise is government and legislation, breaking down the latest online gambling industry developments to keep you in the know."
- Gambling legislation
- Online casinos
- Gambling industry
Reviewer since July 2019
