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GE

Is Gambling Legal in Georgia?

Prohibited
Gambling, including sports betting and online casinos, remains illegal in Georgia; recent legalization efforts failed in 2025.
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    Key Information Highlights Legislation Timeline Requirements Sources

    Key Information

    Last Update 2025
    Regulatory Authority None
    License Cost Varies

    Regulation by Activity Type

    Casinos Prohibited
    Online Casinos Prohibited
    Betting Prohibited
    Online Betting Prohibited
    Lotteries Regulated
    Poker Regulated

    Highlights

    • All forms of commercial gambling, including sports betting and casinos, remain illegal in Georgia as of 2025.
    • Efforts to legalize sports betting and casinos have repeatedly failed in the state legislature in recent years.
    • A 2025 proposal sought to legalize casinos and online sports betting via a constitutional amendment and public referendum.
    • The proposed framework included a minimum of eight casino licenses, each with one online gaming skin.
    • Online sports betting and casino gaming would be taxed at 20%, with revenue directed to a dedicated Georgia Gaming Proceeds Fund.
    • Initial gaming tax revenues would be distributed to counties, with a portion earmarked for gambling addiction programs.
    • No regulatory authority for commercial gambling currently exists, as legalization efforts have not succeeded.
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      Legislation

      Primary Legislation

      Gambling in Georgia is primarily governed by the Law of Georgia on Organizing Lotteries, Games of Chance and Other Prize Games. This law provides the core legal framework for the regulation, organization, and operation of all forms of gambling, including lotteries, casinos, slot halls, betting shops, and online gambling. The legislation establishes the legal definitions, general requirements, and permissible forms of gambling activities within the country. It also outlines the general obligations for operators and the scope of state oversight. Amendments and supplementary regulations may be issued to address specific gambling products or emerging sectors, but the primary legislative authority remains with this foundational law.

      Regulatory Authority

      The principal regulatory authority overseeing gambling in Georgia is the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia. This body is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of gambling legislation, monitoring compliance, and issuing relevant regulations and guidance. The Revenue Service's key legal responsibilities include:
      • Supervising the organization and operation of all gambling activities
      • Ensuring compliance with the Law of Georgia on Organizing Lotteries, Games of Chance and Other Prize Games
      • Issuing regulations and administrative acts related to gambling operations
      • Monitoring and enforcing anti-money laundering and responsible gambling measures within the sector

      License Types

      Overview of Gambling Licensing in Georgia

      As of April 2025, Georgia does not have an operational licensing system for commercial gambling activities such as sports betting, casino gaming, or online gambling. Multiple legislative attempts have been made to introduce a regulated licensing framework, but none have been enacted into law. The most recent efforts in 2025 to legalize and regulate sports betting and casino gaming failed to pass the legislative process and did not reach a public referendum.

      Types of Licenses Proposed (Not Enacted)

      • Casino Gaming Licenses: A minimum of eight licenses for land-based casinos were proposed, each allowing one online “skin” (digital platform) per license.
      • Online Sports Betting Licenses: Licenses for digital sports betting platforms, including those operated by professional sports teams and major sporting venues, as well as stand-alone operators.
      • iGaming Licenses: Proposals included the potential for online casino gaming licenses, though these were not advanced in the most recent legislative session.

      Application Process and Eligibility (Proposed)

      • Regulatory Authority: The Georgia Lottery Corporation was proposed as the regulator for sports betting, while a new gaming commission would oversee casino licensing.
      • Eligibility: Professional sports teams, major sporting venues, and qualified private operators were specified as eligible for licenses.
      • Application Submission: Applicants would be required to submit detailed business plans, financial disclosures, and undergo background checks.
      • Competitive Process: Licenses would be awarded through an open, competitive process, with a limited number available for each category.

      Duration, Renewal, and Maintenance (Proposed)

      • License Duration: The proposed bills did not specify exact license durations, but standard practice in similar jurisdictions is typically 5-10 years.
      • Ongoing Requirements: Licensees would be subject to regular audits, responsible gambling measures, and operational oversight.

      Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements (Proposed)

      • Application Fees: The proposed framework did not specify exact application or licensing fees. In comparable U.S. states, these fees can range from several hundred thousand to several million dollars, depending on the license type and market size.
      • Financial Stability: Applicants would be required to demonstrate financial stability and provide surety bonds or other financial guarantees.
      • Ongoing Fees: Annual or periodic fees would be expected for license maintenance, though specific amounts were not detailed in the proposed legislation.

      Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining Licenses (Proposed)

      • Comprehensive background checks for owners and key personnel
      • Submission of detailed business and operational plans
      • Proof of financial solvency and integrity
      • Implementation of responsible gambling programs
      • Compliance with all regulatory and reporting obligations

      Current Status

      No licensing system for commercial gambling is currently in force in Georgia. All outlined procedures, types, requirements, and costs remain proposals only and are not legally binding or operational. Any future licensing framework will depend on the passage of enabling legislation and possible voter approval.

      Gambling Tax

      Legislators may attempt to introduce new gambling legislation in 2026, which could include specific tax provisions, but no details about future tax proposals are available in the current search results.

      Prohibited Individuals

      Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements

      The minimum legal age for participating in gambling activities in Georgia is 18 years old. All players must provide valid identification to verify their age before engaging in any form of gambling. Operators are required to implement robust identity verification processes to prevent underage gambling and ensure compliance with age restrictions.

      Prohibited Gambling Activities and Game Restrictions

      • Most forms of commercial gambling are prohibited in Georgia, including casinos, sports betting, and online gambling. The only legal gambling activities currently permitted are the state-run lottery and charitable gaming, such as bingo and raffles conducted by eligible non-profit organizations.
      • There are explicit restrictions against the operation of slot machines, table games, sports betting (both online and retail), and any form of private or commercial casino gambling.
      • Attempts to legalize sports betting and casino gambling have failed to pass, so these activities remain illegal.

      Advertising and Marketing Limitations

      • Strict limitations are imposed on the advertising and marketing of gambling products that are not legally permitted. Promotion of unauthorized gambling services, including online casinos and sports betting platforms, is prohibited.
      • Advertising for the Georgia Lottery must not target minors or vulnerable groups and must include responsible gambling messaging.
      • Operators are required to avoid misleading or deceptive marketing practices and must ensure all advertisements comply with state guidelines.

      Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures

      • The Georgia Lottery and charitable gaming organizers must provide information and resources about responsible gambling and problem gambling support services.
      • Operators are required to display clear warnings about the risks of gambling and offer access to helplines or support organizations for individuals experiencing gambling-related harm.
      • There are requirements for self-exclusion programs and limitations on player participation in lottery games to promote responsible play.
      • A portion of proceeds from any legal gambling activity, such as the lottery, is allocated to fund gambling addiction prevention and treatment programs.

      Geographic and Location Restrictions

      • Commercial gambling venues, such as casinos and sportsbooks, are not permitted to operate anywhere within the state of Georgia.
      • Charitable gaming events are subject to location restrictions and may only be conducted at approved venues by licensed non-profit organizations.
      • The sale of lottery tickets is restricted to authorized retailers, and online lottery sales must comply with state regulations regarding player location and eligibility.
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        Timeline

        Year/Date Event
        1992 Georgia Lottery Corporation established, introducing state-run lottery as the first legal form of gambling.
        2012 First significant legislative efforts to expand gambling beyond the lottery, including proposals for casinos and pari-mutuel betting, begin to surface but fail to pass.
        2018 U.S. Supreme Court overturns PASPA, prompting renewed discussions in Georgia about legalizing sports betting.
        2020 Georgia lawmakers introduce multiple bills to legalize sports betting, but none advance to a vote.
        2021 Georgia Senate passes a bill to legalize online sports betting, but the measure fails in the House, stalling progress.
        2023 Further attempts to legalize sports betting and casino gambling are introduced but do not gain sufficient legislative support.
        February 2025 Senate Resolution 131 is introduced, proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize sports betting and casino gambling, but remains in committee.
        March 2025 Major sports betting legislation (HB 686 and HR 450) fails to reach a House floor vote, ending efforts to legalize online sports wagering for 2025.

        Requirements

        Software Certification and Technical Standards

        • There are currently no specific, enacted technical standards or software certification requirements for gambling operators in Georgia. As of April 2025, legislation to legalize and regulate online gambling, including technical standards for software and systems, has not been passed.
        • Any future regulatory framework, as proposed in recent legislative efforts, is expected to require certification of gaming software and systems to ensure fairness, integrity, and compliance with international standards. However, these requirements are not yet in force.

        Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location Requirements

        • Georgia does not currently have operational online gambling regulations specifying data protection, privacy protocols, or server location requirements for gambling operators.
        • Proposed legislation indicates that future regulations may include requirements for secure data handling, player privacy protections, and potentially local server hosting, but these measures are not yet codified or enforced.

        Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures

        • There are no specific AML or KYC technical requirements for gambling operators in Georgia at this time, as online gambling remains unregulated under state law.

        Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping Requirements

        • No technical or operational standards for financial reporting, auditing, or record-keeping are currently mandated for gambling operators in Georgia due to the absence of a regulatory framework.
        • Future regulations, as outlined in proposed bills, are expected to introduce requirements for regular financial reporting, independent audits, and secure record retention, but these are not yet in effect.

        Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools

        • There are no enforced technical requirements for responsible gambling tools, such as self-exclusion systems, deposit limits, or reality checks, in Georgia at this time.
        • Recent legislative proposals have referenced funding for gambling addiction programs, suggesting that future regulations may require technical implementation of responsible gambling measures, but specifics are not currently available or enforceable.
        Note: The information above reflects the current status as of April 2025. Georgia has not enacted legislation to legalize or regulate online gambling, and thus, no technical or operational requirements for gambling operators are in force. All listed requirements are anticipated based on recent legislative proposals and international regulatory trends, but are not yet law or practice in Georgia.

        Sources

        Primary Regulatory Authorities

        Legislation Resources

        Contact Information

        • Ministry of Finance of Georgia Address: 16 Gorgasali Street, 0114 Tbilisi, Georgia Phone: +995 32 299 61 11 Email: info@mof.ge
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          Important Information Notice

          Gambling regulations are subject to change. The information provided on this page was accurate at the time of publication, but may not reflect the current regulatory landscape. Always consult official sources for the most up-to-date information before making any gambling-related decisions.

          Last updated: 22 April 2025