Georgia Online Gambling: Quick Facts
- Legal Georgia online gambling options: None
- Legal gambling age: 18 at racetracks.
- Who regulates Georgia online gambling? N/A
- Legal mobile gambling? No
- Do I need to be physically located in Georgia to gamble online? N/A
- Do I need to be a resident of Georgia to gamble online? N/A
- Sports avalable to bet on: Horse racing at racetracks only.
- What can't I bet on? Sports.
A Brief History of Georgia Online Gambling
Georgia online gambling could be on the way, but the state hasn't seriously entertained online casino gaming. The first state to legalize it was Delaware in 2012, but this never became mainstream. Very few states have legalized online casino gaming compared to sports betting.
States gained the right to legalize sports betting when the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. New Jersey battled the professional sports leagues and the NCAA in the PASPA case.
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of New Jersey, which gave states the right to legalize sports betting. It seems like sports betting could be enacted in 2021 in Georgia based on recent activities in the state legislature.
One bill, HB 93, has attracted many legislators because of how much money it will bring to the state. The Georgia Senate passed this bill in early March, but this does not mean that sports betting will become state law.
Dozens of sports betting bills have stalled after showing promise, so do not get too excited. The bill will now go to the House for amendments and approval. If the House approves the bill, it will then head to the desk of Governor Brian Kemp.
The bill will require a 2/3 vote in the House which is not helpful for sports betting enthusiasts. The House has demonstrated the ability to shut down sports betting bills in the past. If HB 93 were legalized, mobile betting would be allowed.
Georgia Online Gambling: The Current Law
There is no gambling law in Georgia. A sports betting bill could be passed in 2021, which would include mobile sports betting. Betting would be limited to people ages 21 and over, and there would be college sports wagering on teams outside of Georgia.
Legal Online Sportsbooks
Mobile betting operators would have to pay $50,000 to submit a sports betting application. They would also have to pay an annual license fee of $900,000. The tax rate also could be as high as 20%, so Georgia will not be financially friendly to sportsbooks under HB 93.
I think these numbers will have to drop because smaller sportsbooks could lose money by operating under these rules.
Sports Betting in Georgia
Georgia has three professional sports teams in three different major leagues. The Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), and the Atlanta Braves (MLB) all compete in the state. These teams would be able to operate sportsbooks in their stadiums under the proposed legislation.
There would be no betting on Georgia college sports under HB 93. Although, bettors would be able to wager collegiate athletic contests outside of the state. Here are some of the bets that will be available in the state when sports betting is legalized.
The moneyline, point spread, and over/under are the most common wagers. However, you should test your luck for prop and future bets in Georgia when sports betting is legalized.
Legal Online Casinos
Online casinos are not legal in Georgia, and it does not appear like it will become law shortly. If people in Georgia want to play casino games, they must go to a landlocked location. Georgia only has one casino in the state.
This location is the Emerald Princess Casino Cruise. This casino has 225 slot machines, 27 tables with popular games, and poker.
Legal Online Poker
Online poker is illegal in Georgia. It will not become law in the near future. If people in the state want to play poker, they must do so at a licensed gambling establishment like the Emerald Princess Casino Cruise.
How to Set Up a Georgia Online Gambling Account
The Georgia legislature has made it clear that mobile gambling will be coming to the state once sports betting is legalized. Therefore, you will be able to sign up on your phone to place bets in the state.
To sign up for a Georgia sports betting account, download a legal app and enter the required information. You will be asked to give your name, address, date of birth, and social security number. This is all necessary, and if you do not provide the information, you will not be able to gamble online in Georgia.
Use a strong password with numbers, letters, and symbols to keep your account secure. This way, nobody has a chance of taking the money that you win.
Georgia Banking Methods
Georgia online gambling is very secure. You will need to give some private financial information to deposit and withdraw funds, but do not worry about this fact. Georgia will make providers go through a lot of security measures to assure that your user information stays private.
Georgia online gambling banking methods should include credit/debit cards, PayPal, Neteller, PayNearMe, e-Check through ACH Payments, or a banking wire. There will be a banking option that suits every sports bettor in Georgia.
The Future of Online Gambling in Georgia
The future of online gambling in Georgia depends on the House of Representatives. A 2/3 vote on the current sports betting bill will be required to move it to the legislative process’s final stage. If the bill passes in the House, it will be signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp.
The House has derailed sports betting bills before, so sports betting is far from confirmed at this time.
