Georgia's Gambling Laws: What's Legal and What's Not?

Georgia currently outlaws most forms of gambling, including games of chance involving cards, dice, tables, and other popular paraphernalia. The Georgia Lottery is one of the few exceptions available locally, with anyone over the age of 18 eligible to legally participate.

Georgia is one of a handful of states in the U.S. where gambling is mostly illegal. The state does allow charitable gambling as well as lottery games, through the Georgia Lottery.

In March 2026, HR 450, a sports betting bill, failed to make it through the legislature with a 98-63 vote. Rep. Al Williams, a main proponent of gambling legalization in the state, sat out the vote for HR 450.

Georgia filed a lawsuit against VGW Holdings, the operator of Chumba Casino, alleging that the company was in breach of gambling laws in Georgia. However, a Georgia court ruled that there was no basis to bring VGW Holdings to trial under the state’s gambling laws.

Poker is also a prohibited activity in the state of Georgia, specifically Code § 16-12-21, which essentially prohibits playing for money in card games. The Georgia Lottery Corporation was established in 1992, and the lottery is part of the state’s constitution, allowing it to operate a wide range of games. The lottery also allocates proceeds to The HOPE Scholarship program as well as the voluntary Pre-K programs.

If you wish to participate in a lottery game in Georgia, you need to be of the legal gambling age, which is 18+. For simply placing a bet, you may face a misdemeanor charge and a fine of $1,000 as well as up to 1 year in prison. Hosting a gambling venue, however, could entail a $5,000 fine and up to 1 year in jail. Operating an illegal commercial gambling venue, however, will lead to a five-year prison sentence and a $20,000 fine.