What Forms of Gambling Are Legal in Georgia? Type/Code Summary; State Code Section(s) 16.12.2: Definition of Gambling: Gambling: A person commits the offense of gambling when he makes 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; makes a bet upon the result of any political nomination, appointment, or election. The CGU is tasked with enforcing Georgia’s commercial gambling laws as they relate to the Coin Operated Amusement Machines (COAM) seen in convenience stores and other businesses around the state. The machines can be legally housed in these businesses as long as they are properly licensed through the Georgia Lottery.

Georgia has always been a conservative state with a history of cracking down on unregulated gambling activities. It is simply not a “gambling-friendly” state. There are still strict laws against gambling here in Georgia and it’s not always easy to distinguish between the illegal and legal gambling activities in the state. You can play bingo. You definitely have the right to spend your hard-earned money on the Georgia lottery—the more the merrier. And, you can participate in games, contests and raffles that are approved for charity. However, every time you place a bet on a sporting event, dog race, poker or dice game, you are breaking the law.

Gambling Laws in Georgia

Under Georgialaw, O.C.G.A. § 16-12-20, “bet” means anagreement that, dependent upon chance even though accompanied by some skill,one stands to win or lose something of value. Further, under O.C.G.A. §16-12-21, a person commits the offense of gamblingwhen he:
(1) Makes a bet upon the partial or final resultof any game or contest or upon the performance of any participant in such gameor contest;
(2) Makes a bet upon the result of any politicalnomination, appointment, or election or upon the degree of success of anynominee, appointee, or candidate; or
(3) Plays and bets for money or other thing ofvalue at any game played with cards, dice, or balls.

Charges for Commercial Gambling

Under Georgialaw, O.C.G.A. § 16-12-22, a person commits theoffense of commercial gambling when he intentionally does any of the followingacts:
(1) Operates or participates in the earnings of agambling place;
(2) Receives, records, or forwards a bet oroffer to bet;
(3) For gain, becomes a custodian of anything ofvalue bet or offered to be bet;
(4) Contracts to have or give himself or anotherthe option to buy or sell or contracts to buy or sell at a future time any gainor other commodity whatsoever or any stock or security of any company, when itis at the time of making such contract intended by both parties thereto thatthe contract to buy or sell, the option whenever exercised or the contractresulting therefrom, shall be settled not by the receipt or delivery of suchproperty but by the payment only of differences in prices thereof;
(5) Sells chances upon the partial or finalresult of or upon the margin of victory in any game or contest or upon theperformance of any participant in any game or contest or upon the result of anypolitical nomination, appointment, or election or upon the degree of success ofany nominee, appointee, or candidate;
(6) Sets up or promotes any lottery, sells oroffers to sell, or knowingly possesses for transfer or transfers any card,stub, ticket, check, or other device designed to serve as evidence ofparticipation in any lottery; or
(7) Conducts, advertises, operates, sets up, orpromotes a bingo game without having a valid license to operate a bingo game asprovided by law.

Penalties for a Gambling Offense

A person who commits theoffense of gambling and who is convicted will be guilty of a misdemeanor in thestate of Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 16-12-21). However, those convictedof commercial gambling can be charged with a felony with a punishment of one tofive years in prison and/or fines up to $20,000 (O.C.G.A. § 16-12-22).

Which Gambling Games are Legal/Illegal?

Casino Games – Not Legal
Online Casinos – Not Legal
Live Poker – Not Legal
Online Poker – Not Legal
Sports Betting – Not Legal
Horse Racing – Not Legal
Dog Racing – Not Legal
Georgia Lotter – Legal
Bingo Games – Legal

Contact Bixon Law Today

If you have been charged with gambling, call Bixon Law. Werepresent clients in Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia. Our lawyersare committed to helping people in difficult situations and working to get ourclients the best possible outcome. We invite you to call us at 404-551-5684 for a free consultation today.

Is gambling legal in atlanta georgia news

In August of 2013, at the request of the Governor and the Georgia Lottery Corporation, the GBI created a Commercial Gambling Unit (CGU). The CGU is tasked with enforcing Georgia’s commercial gambling laws as they relate to the Coin Operated Amusement Machines (COAM) seen in convenience stores and other businesses around the state. The machines can be legally housed in these businesses as long as they are properly licensed through the Georgia Lottery. Based on Georgia law, customers who play the machines may ONLY redeem credits for in-store merchandise, fuel, or lottery tickets. Redeeming credits for cash payouts is NOT LEGAL in Georgia and violators will be prosecuted. Currently, the CGU is staffed with GBI agents, an intelligence analyst and support staff personnel.

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