{"id":372750,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:02","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/georgia-law\/georgia-gambling-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:50:41","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:50:41","slug":"georgia-gambling-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/georgia-law\/georgia-gambling-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Georgia Gambling Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Georgia Gambling Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last reviewed\n

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State laws vary quite a bit with respect to gambling, as some states allow gambling on Indian reservations while others ban the practice altogether. Georgia gambling laws are relatively strict, as they prohibit wagering on horse or dog races, or casinos of any kind. In fact, the only kind of gambling explicitly allowed in Georgia are raffles for charitable organizations. The state’s gambling statute also specifically bans dogfighting, chain letters, and pyramid clubs. The following table summarizes key points of the law while the article below provides a closer look at the basics of gambling laws in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n
Code Section<\/td>\n16-12-20 et seq.<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Gambling<\/td>\nBetting upon the final result of any game or contest, or upon games played with cards, dice, or balls, in order to win money or other things of value, prohibited.<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Horse Racing\/Off-Track Betting<\/td>\nProhibited.<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Dog Racing\/Off-Track Betting<\/td>\nProhibited.<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Casinos Allowed?<\/td>\nMaintenance of gambling places or equipment prohibited.<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Other Kinds of Gambling-Related Activities Allowed or Banned<\/td>\nElection wagering, commercial gambling, dogfighting, chain letter and pyramid clubs banned. Raffles for charitable organizations allowed.<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n

Georgia’s Definition of Gambling<\/h2>\n

Like other state gaming laws<\/a>, Georgia defines gambling as betting upon the final result of a game or contest, or games played with cards, dice, or balls, in order to win money or other things of value. This includes betting on professional or local sports teams, and holding a small poker game in your home. Illegal gambling can also include holding a lottery or raffle that is not for an approved charitable purpose.<\/p>\n

Prohibited Forms of Gambling<\/h2>\n

Georgia’s gambling laws expressly prohibit a few forms of gambling. Just because something is not expressly prohibited by this law does not mean that it is allowed. A local attorney will be able to help you determine whether an activity is permitted or not. The Georgia gambling law prohibits:<\/p>\n