Georgia has little in the way of legalized gambling. The state lottery is the largest type. It operates instant games, lotto drawings, video lottery machines, keno, and online games that play like slots. The only other forms of legalized gambling in Georgia are daily fantasy sports and charitable games like bingo and raffles.
Registered charities in Georgia are permitted to operate games of chance. This can be bingo, raffles, or similar types of luck-based games. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation licenses state charities for bingo games. This was done in 1980 to combat illegal bingo operators posing as nonprofits.
Bingo players must be at least 18 years old. Minors may attend these games. Raffles are available to those of all ages.
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No casinos in GA
There are no casinos in Georgia. Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River are the closest ones to Atlanta and the rest of the northern half of the state. For south Georgia, Florida card clubs and Hard Rock casinos are closer. Biloxi is the closest casino city for most Georgians.
There are no poker rooms in Georgia. Home games are illegal, even among friends, regardless of limits.
Sports betting in GA

Sports betting is not legal in Georgia. There is hope that the situation changes in 2024. The Georgia Legislature is debating whether a constitutional amendment is needed for legalization. It is believed by many that the 1992 constitutional referendum gave the state lottery the right to offer online sportsbooks. North Carolina has retail sportsbooks at its three tribal casinos. It also has statewide mobile betting, as of March 11, 2024. Tennessee and Florida have mobile sportsbooks.
Daily fantasy sports
There are no Georgia laws that cover daily fantasy sports. It is believed that these contests fall under a skill exception to the state’s gambling laws. All major operators accept Georgia players, including DraftKings and FanDuel. There are also DFS pick’em sites available in the state. This includes PrizePicks and Underdog Sports.
Online gambling in Georgia
The Georgia Lottery’s ticket sales and Diggi Games are the only forms of legalized online gambling in Georgia. Daily fantasy sports contests are believed to be but are not mentioned in any state law. Sweepstakes contests are also allowed in the state.
No horse racing in GA
Betting on horse racing is not legal in Georgia. There are no live tracks or pari-mutuel betting on apps. Recent attempts to change this have been unsuccessful and are unlikely to pass in future legislative sessions based on sentiment by lawmakers.
Georgia lottery
Georgia voters approved a state lottery in November 1992. Governor Zell Miller bought the first scratch-off ticket on June 29, 1993. It was the most successful lottery launch at the time.
Since then, the Georgia Lottery exploded. It sells tickets for instant games, lotto drawings, keno, video lottery, and online games that mimic slot machines. It is the closest to legal online casinos in Georgia.
These online games are like instant tickets. Instead of scratching it off, a digital display is used. The player loads their account using the Play+ prepaid debit card or another digital payment source. There is then a decision of which game to play and for how much each spin. Lottery tickets may also be purchased online in Georgia. All Georgia Lottery online players must be located in the state and a resident at the time of purchase.
The Georgia Lottery sells tickets to many games. Lotto drawings include Cash 3, Cash 4, Cash Pop, Mega Millions, Powerball, Fantasy 5, and Cash4Life. There are also keno drawings every 3.5 minutes. These tickets may be purchased online. There are instant games that start at $1 and run as high as $50 at lottery retailers.
Online scratchers, called Diggi Games, are available from $0.10 up to $20. These are equivalent to online slots. Diggi Games players must be Georgia residents.
Georgia video lottery
The Georgia video lottery started out as grey machines in gas stations and bars. These replaced video poker after it was banned by the legislature and upheld by the state supreme court in 2002. Georgia video lottery machines require some level of skill. In most cases, the slot is a lock and roll, meaning that the player decides to keep some reels and spin again, or move a reel to a winning space if there is one available.
Georgia video lottery prizes may not be paid in cash, alcohol, or tobacco. The options are usually Georgia lottery tickets, gift cards, or store merchandise. All Georgia Lottery games require players to be at least 18 years old.
Georgia Gambling FAQs
Are casinos legal in Georgia?
No. Casinos are not permitted in Georgia.
Are there casinos in Georgia?
No. The closest it gets are the skill video lottery machines in bars and convenience stores. These are slot machines with a small element of skill.
Where is the closest casino to Georgia?
It depends on which part of Georgia you are located in. Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River are the closest to north Georgia. In south Georgia, Hard Rock casinos and racetrack card clubs in Florida are the closest.
Are sportsbooks legal in GA?
Sportsbooks are not legal in Georgia. The state legislature has discussed it for several years but it has never passed.
Is online sports betting legal in Georgia?
Sports betting sites are not legal in Georgia. The state legislature has discussed it for several years but it has never passed. Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee have it in border states.
What online gambling options are available in Georgia?
Available online gambling options in Georgia include lottery sales, daily fantasy sports, and sweepstakes contests.
What is the minimum age to gamble in Georgia?
Georgia Lottery and daily fantasy sports players must be at least 18 years old.
Are live horse races held in Georgia?
No. There is no live horse racing in Georgia.
Can you bet on horse races in Georgia?
No. Pari-mutuel wagering is not legal in Georgia.
Does Georgia have a state lottery?
Yes. Georgia Lottery tickets may be purchased by players 18 years of age and older.
How old must you be to play lottery games in Georgia?
Lottery players must be at least 18 years old in Georgia.
Can you purchase lottery tickets online in Georgia?
Georgia residents may purchase lottery tickets online.
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Last Updated on March 17, 2024 by John Mehaffey