Legal Gambling Age In Georgia

Fantasy sports sites operate in a legal grey area under Georgia law, which could be interpreted as classifying fantasy contests as illegal gambling. In 2016, the office of then-Attorney General Sam Olens issued an opinion that concluded fantasy sports are likely a violation of state gambling laws. We do not condone underage gambling and encourage all players to get informed. The age of gambling legally online is still a debated issue, with many states in the U.S. Requiring bettors to be at least 21 years old. We do not foresee that changing in the near future though, if at all. Find the legal gambling age for every state here. The legal gambling age varies from one state to another. Generally speaking, you have to be at least 18 before you can spend your money at a casino. However, in some states, you have to wait until you're 21. The most reliable way to find out what the legal age limit is in any particular state is to ask the casino personnel.

1. Legal Gambling Age In Georgia 2020
2. Legal Gambling Age In Georgia 2019
3. Legal Gambling Age In Georgia States
4. Legal Gambling Age In Georgia State

Introduction to Georgia Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019

Georgia slot machine casino gambling consists of a single casino boat making daily trips to international waters where casino gambling is legal.

There are no payout limits for Georgia's casino boat. Further, there is no public reporting of actual return statistics.

This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.

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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Georgia*

The minimum legal gambling age in Georgia depends upon the gambling activity:

• Land-Based Casinos: Not available
• Poker Rooms: Not available
• Bingo: 18
• Lottery: 18
• Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18

The legal gambling age on casino boats sailing from Georgia ports is 21. Anyone wishing to board must present a government-issued photo I.D. showing they meet this minimum gambling age of 21 for Georgia.

*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.

Slot Machine Private Ownership in Georgia

It is legal to own a slot machine in Georgia privately if manufactured before 1950.

Gaming Control Board in Georgia

Georgia has the Georgia Lottery Corporation to regulate the state lottery.

Otherwise, the state has a Commercial Gambling Unit (CGU), responsible for coin-operated amusement machines at convenience stores and other businesses around the state.

Casinos in Georgia

There are no land-based casinos in Georgia. However, a day-trip casino boat ships out of Brunswick, nicknamed the Shrimp Capital of the World, in the southeast corner of the state.

Commercial Casinos in Georgia

The single casino in Georgia is not land-based. Instead, it is a 200-foot, 4-deck yacht making daily gaming trips to international waters. The Emerald Princess II Casino accommodates up to 400 passengers.

Onboard, the casino boat has 250 slot machines, 12 blackjack tables, four poker tables, two Roulette wheels, and a Craps table.

The ticket price for individuals to board is $10 per person. Regularly scheduled day-long cruises are:

• Monday: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Tuesday: 7 p.m. to Midnight
• Wednesday: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Thursday: 4 p.m. to Midnight
• Friday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. & 7 p.m. to Midnight
• Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. & 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• Sunday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Tribal Casinos in Georgia

There are no tribal casinos in Georgia. In addition, the state of Georgia has no federally-recognized American Indian tribes.

Other Gambling Establishments

As an alternative to enjoying Georgia slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Georgia is:

• North: Tennessee Slots and North Carolina Slots
• South: Florida Slots
• West: Alabama Slots

Each of the links above will take you to my state-specific blog for that neighboring state to Georgia.

Our Georgia Slots Facebook Group

Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Georgia? If so, join our new Georgia slots community on Facebook. All you'll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.

There, you'll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in or near Georgia. Join us!

Payout Returns in Georgia

Casino cruises are to international waters without a gaming jurisdiction. Therefore, there are no legal limits for minimum or maximum payout returns. Typically, casino boat operators don't publish their actual payout return statistics.

A casino boat operator sets theoretical payout returns to satisfy their business goals. If set too low, it results in an unacceptable amount of customer dissatisfaction, reputation, and future business. If set too high, the boat operator makes less profit than desired to, pardon the pun, keep their business afloat.

Summary of Georgia Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019

Georgia slot machine casino gambling consists of the Emerald Princess II Casino, a casino gambling boat that sails out of the port of Brunswick.

Once three miles offshore to international waters, gambling is not illegal. Individuals must be 21 to board.

Annual Progress in Georgia Slot Machine Casino Gambling

In the last year, the Emerald Princess II Casino boat changed its minimum gambling age from 18 to 21.

Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots

• Previous: Florida Slot Machine Casino Gambling
• Next: Guam Slot Machine Casino Gambling

Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC

The state of gambling in Georgia is a sad, sad thing. At present, there is exactly one avenue for residents to take – the Emerald Princess Casino, a cruise out of Brunswick with 220 slot machines.

Until 2015, there was also the Tradewinds casino cruise out of Savannah, but after the state revoked the boat's inspection certificates, the operation disappeared for good. Even its website is for sale.

The simple truth is that Georgia has some of the strictest and most absolute laws against gambling in the United States. Obviously, these laws extend to casinos, poker, and sports betting in Georgia. There's even a prohibition on horse racing and dog racing – which is something of a rarity, even in prohibitive states. Of course, like most states with strict anti-gambling laws, Georgia offers its residents a state lottery option. This just never makes any sense because gambling is gambling.

However, hope remains in the Peach State. The 2017 state legislative session saw the introduction of a bill to bring two casinos to Georgia – one in Atlanta and one in Savannah, Columbus, or Augusta. The bill went nowhere and died in February.

The bill, proposed by Sen. Brandon Beach and Rep. Ron Stephens, is such a delicate issue that the word 'casino' isn't even in the bill. Instead, the proposal calls for the establishment of two 'destination resorts.' One resort (the Atlanta location) would require a $2 billion investment. The other resort would only cost a mere $450 million.

So, it's possible Georgians will have some gambling options within their state in the near future. For right now, Georgians are also aided by the state's proximity to Florida and Mississippi, which can offer casinos in decent driving distance. Below is the information for Emerald Princess and the four closest casinos to Georgia's state lines.

Latest Updates

Last updated: June 23, 2020

Legal Gambling Age In Georgia 2020

The Senate Special Judiciary Committee recently added sports betting language onto a traffic ticketing bill (HB 903) that passed the House in March. Lawmakers are hopefully sports betting can bring back revenue lost during the coronavirus pandemic. The measure now moves to the Senate floor for further discussion.

Sweepstakes casinos in Georgia

Social casino site options

Social casino sites are likely the best option for Georgians to pursue their desire to gamble in peace. At present, the big apps – Zynga, Slotomania, Big Fish, and Double Down Casino – are all available via Facebook and the various app stores.

According to the most recent available data, Double Down Casino is the most-used site that featured slot machine play to its patrons. A whopping 6.1 million users a month visited Double Down two years ago, and those numbers have likely gone up since. Double Down offers over 60 different games to site visitors, all for free. For fans of table games, Double Down also has video poker, blackjack, roulette, bingo, and poker available.

Georgians can also make use of MyVegas, MGM's free comps site. Though they will have to travel to redeem any of their loyalty points, it is still an attractive option. Ultimately, Georgians maintain the same options as everyone else. The shame of it is that these options are, as of right now, the best it gets in Georgia for gambling. (At least until the legislature makes a move.)

Land-based slots options

Online gambling options

As can be expected in a state with stringent land-based gambling laws, Georgia does not have legal online gambling.

However, due to the relative recency of online gambling's arrival on the scene, there is no specific law banning it either. So, Georgia residents can find options in out-of-state (and probably out-of-country) sites. However, they shouldn't expect open arms and welcome within the power structure of the state.

Operator profile

Legal Gambling Age In Georgia 2019

Emerald Princess Casino

Emerald Princess Casino is a five-night-per-week casino cruise that docks at Brunswick, Georgia.

It is the only option for gambling within state lines in Georgia. The boat itself is a 200-foot vessel with four decks. There are two for gaming, one for dining, and an observation deck. Each night, the boat sails into international waters to allow patrons to gamble beyond the reach of Georgia state law.

Legal Gambling Age In Georgia States

Within the two gambling decks, the cruise offers 200 slot machines, 12 blackjack tables, eight poker tables, two roulette wheels, and a craps table. Players pay a $10 entry fee, and cruises last for five-hour segments. The minimum age for entry is 18, and patrons must show a photo ID to enter. The cruise is operated by Golden Isles Cruise Lines, whose sole holding is this cruise. Reviews for the cruise are fair to good.

And that's it, really. The truly best options for gamblers in Georgia are either the two Harrah's Cherokee casinos in North Carolina (for northern Georgia) or Florida's casinos in the Panhandle or Jacksonville (for southern Georgia).

Georgians in the western part of the state can also drive to tribal casinos in Alabama. The best bet for Georgia gamblers right now is to lobby their state representatives and senators to pass the bill before the legislature.The bill would put a casino in Atlanta (likely near Hartsfield International Airport) and another one in one of the other cities.

Legal Gambling Age In Georgia State

State legal environment