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Online gambling in Georgia

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Online gambling is a popular activity across the US and Georgia. In this article, we will delve into all you need to know in order to take part in online gambling in Georgia.

Best online gambling sites in Georgia

DraftKings Georgia Best for newcomers
FanDuel Georgia Best for app betting
PointsBet Georgia Best for bonus promotions
BetRivers Georgia Best for in-game betting

Below you will find a few of the best online gambling sites that are expected to arrive in Georgia. They all operate legal sportsbooks and online casinos.

DraftKings Georgia

DraftKings Georgia does not need an introduction. DraftKings is one of the most popular bookies across the States, with many retail stores too. It offers the best betting experience. Lately, it is in the process of opening up its own casino too.

Therefore, online gambling in Georgia will become a favorite habit when DraftKings joins the market. It is not only that it signs big partnerships and sponsorships. The bookie also works closely with big names in the sports industry. For example, Michael Jordan, the famous basketball player, recently became an advisor to the company.

DraftKings was one of the first Daily Fantasy Sports bookies that launched. It became very successful, so it entered the sports betting market too. Until today, it offers a top-notch experience. First, it has all the sports you can possibly imagine. From classic ones to alternatives, you can find pretty much anything. In addition, DraftKings has regular bonuses and promotions. They will save you tons of money, plus give you a little extra to spend on betting. Let’s not forget the free daily pools, which hand out thousands of dollars.

Regarding the website and app interface, you could not ask for anything more. Navigation is easy, and there are no connectivity and log issues. You can see all the ongoing games and bets available. In addition, it is easy to access your account and bet slip. Finally, you can just as easily contact support. It is available 24/7, all year round, including holidays. You can reach customer service either by live chat or email. In both cases, you will have the answer you need very fast.

BetRivers Georgia

BetRivers Gerogia is another popular gambling website, but mostly for live betting. BetRivers was one of the first ones to offer this option to its customers. Until today, it remains at the top of the online sportsbooks in the States. So, if you prefer live betting, BetRivers in Georgia should be your top choice.

What makes this sportsbook so special is all the benefits it has for live betting. It is not only the variety of live bets available but the bonuses and live odds too. Live odds change as the game progresses, so you can change your bet accordingly. It is a great way to get into live betting and actually earn something from it. However, if live betting is not your thing, you can always place regular wagers. They are available too, as well as bonuses and promos.

When it comes to technical matters, such as the user interface, there is not much to say. The website and app are excellent. They are simple and functional. You can navigate easily, and make all your transactions fast and safely. If a problem occurs, you can count on customer support. It is available 24/7, and the representatives are nice and effective.

FanDuel Georgia

FanDuel Georgia is another popular bookie in the US. FanDuel is DraftKing’s biggest rival, as they both started as DFS bookies. It spreads in every state where online gambling is legal. It is almost certain that it will join the Georgia market too.FanDuel is also known for its popular partnerships, which is always a great way to attract new customers.

Besides that, it also offers juicy bonuses. Given its extended sports list, you can be sure that you will have a great online gambling experience with FanDuel in Georgia. Not only that but the website and app are also great. The navigation is smooth and everything is easily accessible. Moreover, reaching support is simple. You only need to click on the live chat option. It is available 24/7and a representative will get back to you in no time.

FanDuelis also popular for the different kinds of bets it offers. You can bet with money lines, spreads, totals, parlays, futures, etc. However, the bookie established a new kind of bet, the in-game parlays. That is you can create a ticket of multiple bets for the same game. Thus, you do not have to keep track of many sports games. You can place many wagers on just one game.

PointsBet Georgia

PointsBet is where online gambling in Georgia becomes really interesting. PointsBet is an Australian bookie that collaborated with NBC Sports and joined the American market. Nevertheless, it is not your ordinary online gambling site in Georgia. PointsBet has something unique to offer.

It is its special betting system, which goes by the name PointsBetting. When playing with it, your bet is multiplied according to the score of the game. It can either go up if you bet more than the original line or down if you bet less. This system is nothing like others in the market. It is unique, and it can raise your winnings phenomenally, or diminish them. So, if you are a new bettor in Georgia, it is better to have someone to guide you through it. If you have experience in online gambling, PointsBetting is worth trying out.

However, you can place regular bets too. You do not have to use the PointsBetting system if you do not want to. The overall experience is excellent in both cases, as the site and app run smoothly. Moreover, there are always ongoing promotions and bonuses. If you need help with anything, you can reach customer service in no time, by clicking in the live chat bubble or emailing them.

Can I gamble online legally in GA?

No, you cannot gamble online in Georgia. Online gambling is not legal, at least for now. There have been efforts to legalize online gambling but so far, they have been unsuccessful. Today, there are no legal casinos with online gambling acceptable in Georgia. The same goes for sportsbooks.

The only legal casino is a cruise ship, Emerald Princess Casino, which operates just out of Brunswick in Georgia. The ship makes daily trips to international waters, where gambling is allowed. So, Georgia bettors have only this option to play casino games.

Georgia residents can play bingo online, state lottery, and take part in raffles for charity reasons. Otherwise, they have to travel to neighboring states where gambling is legal. Yet, even these few options are available with strict restrictions. One of them is that you must be at least 18 years old to play bingo, the Georgia state lotto, and participate in raffles. For online gambling, you must be 21 years old, just like in every state where it is permitted.

It is important to understand that online gambling is not allowed in any other form than the aforementioned ones. Offshore casinos and sportsbooks are available, but they are illegal. They do not have a license from the US regulation body and no one can guarantee you will not lose your money. So, while they are popular, do not fall into the trap.

If you are caught gambling illegally online, you will face misdemeanor charges. There will be a financial penalty of up to $1,000, up to one year in prison, or even both. So, do not take your chances with such matters. Play responsibly and legally, under the state’s regulations.

Unfortunately, that was not the case for Georgia residents, at least partially. The State is very strict when it comes to gambling. Yet, you can still have some gambling habits. Actually, state-regulated lottery, raffles for charities, and gambling on cruise ships in legal. Also, you can always travel and visit a near state to place bets.

Despite this situation, as we will see further on, things are about to change. Online gambling has great chances of becoming legal in Georgia within 2022. So, in order to stay on track with what is going on in Georgia regarding gambling, keep reading. We will talk about how you can gamble expectant gambling websites, the legislature status, and all sorts of details. Thus, when online gambling is legal, you will know everything you need to start right away!

How to gamble online in GA

Whether you want to gamble online in a casino or a sportsbook in Georgia, the process is very simple. You simply have to find which online sportsbook or casino you like the most and create an account. You can follow these steps to do that:

1. Research your options

Start with researching the different online casinos and sportsbooks. You must check their bonuses, as they can save you money or give you free money or bets. Also, you must keep in mind to choose a legitimate online sportsbook or casino. So, always remember to check the licenses, as well as the encryption technology the website uses. Such information is easily accessible at the “About us” or FAQ section on each gambling website.

2. Sign up on an online gambling site

Once you have figured out which sports betting site in Georgia is the best for you, you must create an account. Click on the “Sign Up” sign. Usually, you can find it at the center of the front page or at the top right. When you click on it, you will be asked to create a username and a password. In addition, you will have to verify your email.

3. Provide your personal information

The next step is to provide your personal information. So, you must fill in your full name, home address, the last four digits of your Social Security Number, and a phone number. Certain gambling websites may ask for a piece of identification too, such as your ID or passport. This is to prove that you are at a legal age to gamble, which is 21 years old.

4. Make the first deposit

When you are done with filling in your details, you will proceed to the deposit process. For casinos and online sports gambling in Georgia, you have to make a deposit before you can get a welcome bonus and start playing. Casinos with online gambling acceptable in Georgia, as well as sportsbooks, offer a big selection of banking options. It varies from classic options, such as credit cards, to more popular ones, such as eWallets and prepaid cards.

After you have deposited the required amount of money, you can finally enjoy online gambling in Georgia!

Georgia state lottery

One of the few gambling forms allowed in Georgia is the State Lottery. This is because the funds go to educational purposes and scholarships. It includes scratch tickets and choosing from a series of numbers.

You can buy tickets for the Georgia state lotto either online or at specific retail stores. Note that you must be 18 years old or older in order to participate. As we stated previously, the lottery is legal because the winnings are not for personal use, but they are returned to the community.

Timeline of gambling in Georgia

In case you would like to know more about the gambling legislature in Georgia over the years, we have prepared a timeline with the milestones and tipping points. As you can see for yourself, the process is not in favor of gambling in general. However, this

  • 1878: the state of Georgia prohibits all lotteries. Georgia was one of the southern states with an active presence in public lotteries. However, legislators put them out of the law.
  • 1978: One century later, Georgia decided to legalize bingo for charitable reasons. The residents of the state voted for it on November 7. The constitutional amendment that allowed charitable bingo passed with 56% of the vote.
  • 1993: Georgia launches the state lottery for the first time after many years. The first ticket was sold on 29 June. Today, Georgia State Lottery sells tickets for even multi-state jackpots, like Powerball and Mega Millions.
  • 2002: The state prohibits video gambling machines, such as poker terminals and video lottery. The prohibition came after the agreement of the legislators and the state Supreme Court.
  • 2012: First online sale for the State Lottery.
  • 2021: Near legalization of online sports betting. On March 31, the lawmakers got very close to legalizing online gambling for sports betting. Even though the bill passed the Senate, it did not get enough votes in the House.
  • 2022: New effort to legalize online gambling. In November, there will be a legislative session. It is expected that there will be a proposition with a new bill to legalize online gambling. There is a high chance that this time it will be successful since in 2021 there were just a few who opposed the bill. Nevertheless, even if the voters favor it, it will take some time to decide the regulations under which sportsbooks and casinos will operate.

Who regulates online gambling in Georgia?

The Georgia Lottery Corporation regulates all lottery games in the state. It has done so since 1992 when it first launched. The next year, sold the first lottery ticket. Until today, it oversees all lottery sales and makes sure that the money goes to charities. It has many offices that operate in various cities in the State: Atlanta, Columbus, Savannah, Augusta, Tifton, Duluth, Dalton, and Macon.

There is also the Georgia Bureau of Investigation that regulates all the other forms of gambling, like bingo games, and raffles. It is highly likely that the Georgia Lottery Corporation will also regulate online casino gambling and sports betting. In fact, the bill of 2021 already suggested that the Corporation should regulate all sports betting activities.

Online gambling has many forms. It is not only the lotteries and bingo games that you can play. You can also bet online on sports, such as basketball, football, baseball, tennis, etc. In fact, online sports betting is one of the most popular forms of online gambling in the US. If you want to take it a little further, you can also play Daily Fantasy Sports, which is almost exclusively an online gambling game.

Other popular forms of online gambling in Georgia are casino games. These include Blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, poker, slots, etc. You have so many options for online gambling in Georgia. You simply have to join an online casino or sportsbook, and see your options!

Online gambling bonuses in Georgia

Online sportsbooks in Georgia usually offers betting bonuses and promotions, in order to attract new customers. In addition, there are more bonuses in the offers section. All of them usually have an expiration date, and other wagering requirements, which we will talk about as we go through the most popular bonuses in Georgia.

  • Welcome bonus. Sportsbooks and casinos alike want to attract as many customers as possible. So, the first thing they do is offer juicy welcome bonuses to all new bettors and players. A welcome bonus can give you all sorts of deals. It may include a deposit match bonus, free bets or spins, or even a few free dollars to play. You can use this bonus only once, and you can activate it by making your first deposit. Welcome bonuses are usually very generous. So, before signing up for a casino or bookie, do research to find the best welcome bonus!
  • Free bet or spins. Free bets are another common bonus. You can get free bets or spins usually with other deals. Most of the time, they have wagering requirements. Free bets can be used only for specific sports or bet types, such as money lines. Free spins are usually available to use in packs of ten. So, when you get 100 free spins in a casino, you cannot use them all at once. You can use up to ten per day or week, depending on the terms. Also, they may not be available for all slot games, or you have to deposit money before you can redeem your batches.
  • Risk-free bonus. Risk-free bonus is available at most sportsbooks and a few casinos. The risk-free bonus allows you to place a bet on a sports or casino game, and in case you lose, you get your money back. You can receive either the whole amount you lost or just a percentage. Each betting app in Georgia has its own rules. Also, a risk-free bonus is usually available for a limited time. This means that you can get it only during a period of time. In addition, it has wagering requirements to the amount you will bet. For example, you may have to bet more than $50. It is a worthy bonus, and sportsbooks and casinos offer it regularly. So, if you bet frequently, a risk-free bonus can save you money.
  • Odds boost. An odds boost is available only at sportsbooks. You can get it if you want to bet on special events, specific sports, or games. To put it briefly, it will increase your payout if your favorite team wins. An odds boost is also available for live betting. However, usually, it is not available for all betting types. For example, it can be only about totals or spreads. All major sportsbooks have regular odds boosts in a rotating system. Therefore, if you miss an odds boost for a team you like, chances are it will come back.
  • Refer-a-friend bonus. Refer-a-friend bonus is common in all gambling websites, be it casinos or sportsbooks. It is a way to make you refer friends by giving you extra cash in your account. Thus, when you refer a friend and he or she registers on the gambling site, you will both receive money. However, you cannot withdraw the money, nor redeem it for real cash. You must spend it within the site. Luckily, there is no expiration date; you can spend this money whenever you want. Also, your friend will have to place a deposit too, in order to activate the refer-a-friend bonus. Gambling websites have this term as a way to keep you as a customer and place even a single bet or play just one game. Furthermore, you cannot use the bonus for every friend you have. That is, you can use it up to five or ten times.
  • Deposit match bonus. Most online casinos and sportsbooks have a deposit match bonus, and with good reason. It is one of the most attractive offers they can give. The deposit match bonus matches your first deposit up to 50, 100, or even 150%. Some gambling sites in Georgia may even have a 500% deposit match bonus. So, when you deposit $100, and the bonus is 100%, you will get$200 in your account.The deposit match bonus is usually part of a welcome bonus. Nevertheless, it can be a separate offer too. In addition, it is not an ongoing bonus. This means that you can get it only for a limited time and only once. It may have other wagering requirements too. For instance, you may have to deposit at least $50 in your account to activate it.
  • No deposit bonus. No deposit bonus is another popular bonus in sportsbooks and casinos alike. It is also usually part of a welcome offer. Therefore, it is available for new customers and can be redeemed only once. The no-deposit bonus allows you to play whatever game you want without having to any money. It is like having free cash to gamble. However, it is a small bonus. Its goal is to attract new bettors and players so that they can see if they like the gambling site. Furthermore, it is redeemable only for specific bets or casino games.

FAQ

Do gambling sites report my winnings to the government in Georgia?

No, the online gambling sites do not report your winnings directly. The government in Georgia runs background checks on your bank transactions. So, if you constantly have big amounts of money transferred to your bank account, the government will know about it. Do not forget that when you register on a gambling site, you provide your Social Security Number and a bank account. So, it is not that difficult for the government to know that you have profits from gambling.

Why are people against online gambling in Georgia?

Most people are afraid of the addictive side of gambling. It is true that you can get carried away easily if you win, or even think of gambling as a form of income. Also, the government was against it so far because it did not approve of having personal gains over it. Nevertheless, this has changed. Online gambling is profitable for the state, because of all the taxes imposed on both gambling sites and players. Besides, under the right regulations, it is a fun way for everyone to spend their time.

Should I bet on sports in Georgia or play table games online?

It really comes down to what you like the most. You can bet on both or choose. The expected sportsbooks in Georgia offer all sorts of sports. You can bet on NBA, NFL, MBL, tennis, golf, across, college sports, and DFS. In addition to those, there is a big variety of casino table games. These include baccarat, poker, roulette, blackjack, craps, and others. You can take advantage of the casinos' and sportsbooks' offers to find out what you prefer.

How do I find out if an online gambling site in GA is legit?

You can find out if an online gambling site is legit in Georgia by checking its licenses. If the online gambling site has a license from the state of Georgia, it is legal. Therefore, you are free to play. If it does not have a license from the state, it is not legal. Offshore gambling sites have licenses from outside the US, so no one can guarantee you that you will not lose your money, or that you will not be a victim of fraud. Each online gambling site is transparent about its licenses. You can find them under the “About Us” or FAQ sections.