We took a look at the legal sweepstake casinos available to residents in Georgia so they can legally get their online gaming fix.
Georgia Online Gambling: Best GA Online Casino Apps
While several other US states, such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, enjoy online casino apps like DraftKings Casino and BetMGM, Georgia still remains reluctant to jump on the bandwagon to legalize online gambling in the Peach State.
Despite this, there are still options on the table – both of the legal and illegal varieties. Covering the latter first, by illegal, we are referring to offshore casino and sportsbook operators.
While some claim that these sites can legitimately accept players from GA, it simply isn’t true. Furthermore, most of these operators have murky reputations with a history of running rigged games and withholding payouts for those fortunate enough to win a few bucks.
That brings us to the legal, safe, and fair option, which is social or sweepstake casinos. These operate under US sweepstakes laws, which Georgia recognizes and allows. As a sweepstake social casino, the operator must offer free games, but there’s also the option to make a deposit and enjoy real money online gambling at these sites.
Given the long list of potential drawbacks associated with offshore sites, we recommend GA players opt for social casinos. Continue reading to find out more about these casinos, as well as updates on gambling legislation in Georgia and much more.
Top Real Money Online Casinos in Georgia
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Excuse the pun, but new sweepstakes casinos are literally sweeping the nation. The concept of a sweepstakes site is free gaming, so players are not required to make a deposit to play.
In a nutshell, you’re given casino credits, typically referred to as gold coins, every day to use. However, in addition to gold coins, the site also has free sweeps coins that can be used to play slots, online sweepstake poker, and other casino table games. Winnings from playing with sweeps coins can be redeemed for real dollars when you cash out.
To comply with the laws and regulations, social sweepstakes casinos must offer no deposit sweeps coins. Usually, you can get these from prize draws, social media giveaways, or by applying by post.
Alternatively, the operator also bundles the sweeps coins into packages, so if players purchase gold coins, they receive a certain amount of sweeps coins as well. This is a legal loophole in the system that allows real money online gambling in Georgia.
We’ve compiled a list of the top-rated US social casinos that you can join today and start playing your favorite games.
Is Online Gambling Legal in GA?
Put bluntly; the simple answer is no. While some US states are on the fence as to whether or not they will legalize this activity, Georgia has remained firm in its stance to keep online casino gambling out of the state.
Although this is disappointing for enthusiastic players who want to enjoy the online gaming experience, all is not lost. As mentioned above, the Peach State allows social casinos to operate legally, which effectively serve the same purpose, albeit dressed up in a slightly different way.
The latest sweeps casinos, such as Pulsz, provide games from leading software developers like Pragmatic Play. This means some of the slots and table games are identical to those found at out-and-out real money casinos.
Moreover, a couple of social casinos have now introduced live dealer tables, which mirrors their real-money counterparts yet further.
Georgia Gambling Laws
Georgia is among the most anti-gambling states in the US. It allows bingo games, raffles, and there’s also a state lottery. Sweepstakes casinos are also permitted, but other than those, it’s a closed shop for legal gambling options.
Looking at the law book (O.C.G.A. §16-12-21), a person in GA commits the crime of gambling when:
- they make a bet upon the partial or final result of any game or contest or upon the performance of any participant in such game or contest;
- they make a bet upon the result of any political nomination, appointment, or election or upon the degree of success of any nominee, appointee, or candidate; or
- they play and bet for money or other things of value at any game played with cards, dice, or balls.
If convicted of gambling, a person is charged with a misdemeanor, which can result in a fine of up to $1,000; a year in jail, or both.
Georgia Online Gambling Bill
There have been attempts to modernize Georgia online gambling laws, which could be considered a step in the right direction, although nothing has come of it yet. House Resolution #378 was tabled in 2020 with the aim of widening the gambling laws, but that was stopped.
Also in 2020, house bill #93, which proposed the legalization of retail sports betting and online sports betting, actually passed a Senate Special Judiciary vote (5-2). Yet, this appears to have stalled, as no visible progress has been made in the two years since.
Future of Online Gambling in Georgia
It’s difficult to say with any certainty what the future of online gambling in Georgia will be. As things stand, it would appear to be a distant dream. Quite often, gambling online follows the land-based option, but there are no brick-and-mortar casinos in the state and no plans to open any.
Yet, we remain optimistic that the lawmakers will eventually have a change of heart. There are a couple of reasons why this could happen. Firstly, illegal gambling in Georgia is not going to go away. Offshore sites will continue to target GA players.
Additionally, online sports betting has been legalized in neighboring Tennessee. This will start putting tax dollars into Tennessee’s coffers from players who cross state lines for a bet. Potentially, these factors may cause a rethink, but when that will be is unknown.
Current Online Gambling Options for Georgia Residents
Compared with online gambling in New Jersey, Georgia residents have a sparse offering. Here’s an overview of the current landscape so that you know exactly where things stand.
Horse Racing
Horse betting – both in-person and online – is illegal in Georgia as things stand. However, in May 2022, a constitutional amendment went through the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee asking GA voters to legalize pari-mutuel betting. The bill (SB 212) would also allow up to five race courses to be built in the state.
This is positive news for horse race betting enthusiasts, but it’s still some way from becoming a reality. Opponents of the bill include the Georgia Baptist Convention, which has 1.3 million members. It believes horse racing will open the doors to casino gaming, slot machines, and other forms of gambling.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Like many US states, Georgia doesn’t have any specific laws related to daily fantasy sports, so it’s neither illegal nor legal. This has allowed the top DFS operators, such as FanDuel, PrizePicks, and DraftKings, to operate openly in the Peach State for many years. As there have been no attempts by lawmakers to prevent this, it seems to be something that they deem as acceptable.
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Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369)(NY). Call 1-800-522-4700 (NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV). Offer for new customers 21+ (18+ KY/NH/WY), present in AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA (select parishes), MA, MD, ME, MI, NJ, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY only. Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos.
Casinos
As you’d expect, with Georgia gambling laws as they are, you won’t find any land-based casinos within state lines. There is an outlet, however. Located at Brunswick is the Emerald Princess Casino. This is a casino cruise ship that travels three miles off the coast into international waters, where there are no restrictions on gambling.
The Emerald Princess Casino offers more than 250 slots, a dozen blackjack tables, roulette, craps, and poker games. For ardent players in the Brunswick area, this is a stellar option.
Sports Betting
Other than DFS, you will not find any legal forms of sports betting available in Georgia. The hope is that the Senate Bill aimed at introducing horse race betting will pave the way, but that is nowhere near the finishing line just yet.
If other US states are a guide, wagering on a sports betting site is more accepted than casino gambling. Therefore, this is the most likely one to arrive first out of the two.
Georgia Lottery
If you visit the Georgia lottery website, you wouldn’t think that gambling is illegal here. It is packed with Diggi games, as well as keno, scratchers, and various lotto draws.
- Diggi Games: There are 90 Diggi games that you can play online, such as Cleopatra Clusters, Wheel of Fortune Prize Burst, and Monopoly. You can win up to $400,000 on some of the fixed jackpot games, while others have progressive jackpots that can go much higher.
- Scratchers: The lottery website has an assemblage of scratchers that cost between $1 and $30 a ticket. The top scratchers have a million-dollar jackpot, making them a popular option for players.
- Second Chance: You’ll find a few active second chance games, which are essentially prize draws using non-winning scratcher tickets. This is a fun concept, and it adds more value to buying certain scratchers.
- Keno: It’s possible to play keno online. There are over 300 draws a day, and you can win up to $100,000.
- Cash 3, Cash 4, and Cash Pop: These are like a little lottery where you only have to match 1 to 4 numbers. There are multiple draws each draw and a prize of $5,000 up for grabs, which is decent for a $0.50 ticket.
- Lotto Games: Georgia 5, Mega Millions, Powerball, and Cash4Life are among the main lotto games you can buy online tickets for. Of course, the jackpots vary depending on the number of winners.
Sweepstakes and Social Casinos
Sweepstakes sites are allowed to accept players from Georgia, and this is what we recommend for players who want to gamble online. The best sweeps and social casinos offer more than 200 slots and table games. There is also a sweep coins poker site for fans of Texas Hold’Em ring games in the name of Global Poker.
To emphasize again, the sweepstakes model allows players to play for real money by offering a play-for-free option as well. These sites are licensed, so you can be assured of fair gaming, and you’ll have no issues with payouts when you want to withdraw.
What you Can Expect from GA Online Casinos
If the day comes when Governor Brian Kemp legalizes online casinos in Georgia, what should players expect?
Games
The best online casinos deliver a wide variety of gaming options. Slots form the backbone of most US sites, and we’d expect this to be the case in Georgia casinos, too. The types of slots range from classic 3-reel games with only a handful of paylines to Megaways titles that offer over 100,000 ways to win. Also, progressive slots are popular due to the potential life-changing jackpots players can win. Chumba Casino and Pulsz Casino are some of the best for such games. You can view our guides to the best slots on Chumba and top-rated Pulsz slots for more details.
Table games will also be well-supported for players who have a penchant for roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. Video poker machines are another favorite from land-based casinos, and online patrons have access to several variations of this game. Fortune Coins, Global Poker, and WOW Vegas are top choices for free casino games.
Unless you travel out-of-state or go on the casino cruise ship, playing in an actual casino is not possible. However, online operators now bring the live casino to you.
Live dealer games deliver a more authentic experience when you play casino games online. They are streamed live using HD video from custom-built studios. It’s possible to interact with the dealers through a chat feature, which makes playing more sociable and entertaining.
Casino Apps
It’s impossible to imagine the US online casino industry without mobile apps. All the top brands offer iOS apps and Android apps that can be found in the App Store and Play Store, respectively.
If they become available, using Georgia casino apps is the way to go. Despite the smaller screen size in comparison with a desktop casino, apps provide a thrilling gaming experience with the convenience of you being able to use them wherever and whenever you want.
All of the leading software developers in the regulated US markets, such as IGT, NetEnt, Microgaming, and Evolution, have adopted a mobile-first approach to game development. This means smooth gameplay, perfectly designed user interfaces, and high-quality graphics are all at your fingertips.
Furthermore, modern payment methods are mobile-friendly, customer support is only a click away, and there’s an abundance of bonuses and promotions for players to enjoy.
Online Banking
Whether using an app or a regular web-based online casino, there are plenty of payment methods to choose from.
This component is fairly standardized across the legal online gambling industry in America, meaning that payment methods available at Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan online casinos would be part of the package in Georgia too.
Among the most popular payment options are:
- PayPal
- ACH / e-check
- Credit and Debit cards
- Play+
- Online banking
- PayNearMe
For new players, it’s important to assess the payment options when choosing a casino. You should look at the lowest minimum deposit and maximum deposit/withdrawal limits and the payout times. These can vary considerably between different payment methods, so you want to find the one that is right for you.
Official License
Licensing and regulation are an absolute must in the USA, which we warmly welcome as it’s there to ensure casinos remain honest and fair – something we all want as players.
Several of the big gambling states have established their own gaming enforcement/control divisions, which oversee regulations and monitor the operators in their state. However, Georgia only has a population of 10.4 million, and most likely, it wouldn’t attract as many out-of-state players as NJ. Therefore, it’s possible that the primary watchdog would be a part of the Georgia state lottery.
Customer Support
Customer support is pivotal for online casinos, so Georgia players can expect a full array of contact options, such as live chat, email, and potential telephone.
As well as those, site operators typically provide extensive FAQs that cover a whole range of topics like banking, account setup, geolocation, bonuses, and technical issues related to online casino games.
Casino Bonuses
With the online casino industry being so competitive, operators are using more bonuses and promotions to attract players. If other parts of the United States are anything to go by, several Georgia casinos would have no deposit offers that players can claim for free upon registration.
Welcome bonuses come in many shapes and sizes. For instance, DraftKings Casino has a generous 100% matched deposit offer worth up to $2,000, whereas FanDuel serves up $1,000 in free play for the first 24 hours.
1
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Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369)(NY). Call 1-800-522-4700 (NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV). Offer for new customers 21+ (18+ KY/NH/WY), present in AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA (select parishes), MA, MD, ME, MI, NJ, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY only. Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos.
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Bet $5, Get $200 In Bonus Bets
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- Daily Odds Boosts
- Convenient Banking
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. Gamblinghelplinema.org or call (800)-327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or Text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ and present in AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA (permitted parishes only), MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY.
There are many other promotions for existing players, such as Game of the Week offers, free spins, and refer-a-friend programs. VIP Clubs and loyalty programs are also part of the package. These can tie in with land-based counterparts, such as MGM Rewards at BetMGM.
Of course, with each bonus and promotion come terms and conditions. As a player, you want to check things like wagering or playthrough requirements, time limits, and maximum win caps.
Online Gambling Timeline
When specifically talking about online gambling in Georgia, there is no tangible evidence of a timetable other than the Senate Bill related to horse race betting.
The Georgia state lottery was launched in 1992 under the Lottery for Education Act. That was the first form of gambling legalized in the state.
Things appeared to be heading in the right direction in 2012 when the state legislature gave approval for a casino, but the Governor at the time wouldn’t sign it into law. A couple of years later, the casino cruise ship, Tradewinds, had its license revoked for breaches of Georgia’s gambling laws.
Current Governor Brian Kemp is firmly in the anti-gambling camp, so there’s unlikely to be much headway while he remains in place. Enthusiastic players can only hope that future governors are more welcoming to this activity.
Expected Real Money Online Casinos to Launch in Georgia
Of course, given the current landscape, this is pure speculation at this point. However, with our experience within the US gambling industry, we are able to make an educated prediction on what Georgia online gambling sites to expect (one day).
- DraftKings Casino
- FanDuel Casino
- BetMGM Casino
- Caesars Online Casino
Dangers with the Current Gambling Landscape in Georgia
It’s naïve to assume that simply because something is illegal, people won’t do it. The reality is that those who want to place a sports bet or play casino games will endeavor to do so. Ultimately, anti-gambling laws merely force the activity underground, which brings its own dangers.
Offshore casino sites prey on players from US states, such as Georgia, because these customers have no protections or safeguards. We mentioned above that if a person is caught gambling in Georgia, it’s a misdemeanor charge that can carry up to 1 year in prison. Therefore, not one person is going to the police if an offshore casino refuses to pay out their winnings.
Equally concerning is that there are probably numerous illegal land-based poker games and sportsbooks that players can get drawn to because there are no legal alternatives.
Furthermore, in places where gambling is illegal, real issues like gambling addictions can be brushed under the carpet rather than dealt with head-on and out in the open. The impact of this may go beyond measure.
FAQs
Can I play online casino games in Georgia?
Real money online casinos are not legal in the state of Georgia. However, social casinos with sweepstakes games are allowed. These sites provide an online casino experience without the necessity of having to make a deposit.
What are the legal Georgia online casinos?
The only legal online casinos in Georgia are social casinos. The advantage of these casinos is that they effectively offer two modes of play. You can play for free using gold coins that the operator gives you every day, or play promotional games with sweeps coins that are redeemable for real dollars.
Is blackjack online legal in Georgia?
Unfortunately, online blackjack is not legal in Georgia, as there are no licensed casinos in the state. The best option for blackjack fans is to review our list of sweepstakes casinos to find the ones that offer blackjack. These sites are legal because they operate under America's sweepstakes laws, so they are not classed as real money casinos.
Can I gamble online from Atlanta?
If you’re looking to gamble online from Atlanta with a site like DraftKings, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, or BetMGM, you’re out of luck. No online casinos are allowed to take real money bets from anywhere in GA, and that includes Atlanta.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia has no laws that forbid online sweepstakes casinos in the Peach State. These are excellent alternatives to real money casinos because they offer a similar gaming experience with slots, table games, and video poker.
