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 Georgia law, O.C.G.A. § 16-12-20, “bet” means an agreement 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 gambling when he:
(1) 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;
(2) Makes a bet upon the result of any political nomination, appointment, or election or upon the degree of success of any nominee, appointee, or candidate; or
(3) Plays and bets for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, or balls.
