Poker Rooms In Georgia
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Find all the best online poker deals and top real money offers. Find guides and comparisons and online poker bonus offers and promotions for poker rooms in 2019. Some of the most well-known license providers include Malta and Kahnawake, which have been known to license poker rooms that cater to the American market, including the state of Georgia. As some might know, 3 of the states in the US have now allowed online gambling, but sites catering to those regions aren’t allowed to accept players from anywhere else in the US.
Important GA Notes
- Residents from GA can play legally at offshore poker sites
- iGaming is a longshot for the foreseeable future in Georgia
- Live poker is available on cruise ships
- Lottery and charitable gaming are legal forms of gambling
- Land casino expansion may happen in 2016
“Reviewed by Chuck Humphrey – 50 year Gaming Law Practitioner”
Poker is illegal under Georgia law because it is a game played with cards. Though no specific reference has been made to online poker in the statutes, it is understood to be legal because playing poker is legal on a Federal level. The law does mention that transmitting gambling information over the internet is illegal within the state of Georgia. However, as elsewhere in the United States, Georgia residents continue to play online poker at offshore sites.
Future Outlook of Online Poker in Georgia – Estimated date of legalization: 2020-2021
The following graph tracks our expected legislation of online poker in Georgia on a state law level. It is currently already legal on a Federal level. This graph monitors the current rise or fall of expected legalization.
Attempts last year to introduce sports betting in Georgia did not succeed, but...
Senate Bill 79, a bill that would've seen the beginning of a legislative...
Recent Activity
Future outlook of online poker is bleak in Georgia. There have been no bills introduced in the legislature for legalization of online gambling. There is even no discussion at any forum to push ahead for such legalization. The best thing that can be said about the outlook of online poker in Georgia is that there have been no arrests made for playing poker online. In comparison, gambling raids followed by arrests is not uncommon for land poker games as reported in this article on Patch.com[A].
Current Gambling Laws in Georgia
In the Official Code of Georgia[B], gambling laws are covered under Chapter 12 of Title 16 which reads, “Offenses against public health and morals”. Article 2 covers gambling in Part 1 and bingo in Part 2. Section 16-12-20 defines a bet as “an agreement that, dependent upon chance even though accompanied by some skill, one stands to win or lose something of value”. Insurance and contests of only skill are specifically exempted.
Under Section 16-12-21 a person commits the offense of gambling when he places a bet. This section describes different types of bets including, “Plays and bets for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, or balls.” The section goes on to state that a person who commits the offense of gambling shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. An aggravated gambling offense is a felony. Under section 13-8-3 gambling contracts are void and, “money paid or property delivered upon a gambling consideration may be recovered from the winner by the loser”.
Bingo for charity is permitted. State Lottery has been permitted under Chapter 27 of Title 50.
Section 16-12-28 of the Official Code of Georgia states, “A person who knowingly communicates information as to bets, betting odds, or changes in betting odds or who knowingly installs or maintains equipment for the transmission or receipt of such information with the intent to further gambling commits the offense of communicating gambling information.”
History of Gambling in Georgia
Land Based Poker in Georgia
Georgia covers the apparent loophole of poker being a game of skill in its laws. Gambling is defined as placing a bet on an outcome even if some skill is involved, and is illegal. Only if the event is based on 100% skill then it would not be gambling. And it would be difficult to convince any court that poker is based on 100% skill.
Poker at home would be legal only if there are no stakes or prizes involved. It has to be played purely for fun. Some states that have banned poker commercially, allow home poker with stakes if no rake is taken. Georgia is not among them.
Though some forms of gambling have been allowed for charity, poker is not included.
In Georgia there is only one place to play live poker. That is on the cruise ships that host cash games and tournaments. There is a charge to be paid for boarding the cruise ships.
Gambling Laws in Georgia
Georgia is one of the most anti-gambling states in America. Land casinos, including Native American casinos, are illegal under the sections described earlier. The exception is cruise ship gambling. In 2011, the Georgia Lottery Corporation commissioned a report[C] that recommended setting up three casinos to generate $1 billion a year for the state. No action was taken on the report.
Though horse racing is permitted and is popular[D] to some extent, wagering on horse races is currently prohibited because it involves gambling. However a bill, HB 4[E], was introduced in the House for the 2013-14 session of the general assembly but nothing came to fruition. Lawmakers in the state continue to seek to allow regulated pari-mutuel wagering on horse races.
In 2000, there was a boom of video poker machines in Georgia. Though video poker machines are gambling devices and illegal, the operators found a loophole in the state law that allowed hosts to legally pay out prizes, including cash, for video poker wins. The legislature passed a law in 2002, explicitly banning video poker machines. The operators went to court and a Superior Court judge held the law illegal. Ultimately, the Supreme Court of Georgia overturned the decision and the ban went into effect. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ran an article in 2011 that reported video poker machines were rampant despite being illegal.
Georgia residents can engage in casino gambling on cruise ships like the Emerald Princess Casino. Patrons have to be 21 or more to enter these cruise casinos. These cruise casinos offer the complete range of gambling activities that include slots, blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, and video poker. The ships cannot offer gambling while docked. They have to sail three miles into International waters where casino gambling is legal. One of the cruise ships operates from Savannah and the other from Historic Brunswick.
Nonprofit, tax exempt organizations as defined under section 16-12-51 of the Official Code of Georgia are allowed to legally conduct bingo games and raffles to help raise money for charity. They are required to obtain a license from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The terms and conditions of the operations are specified in the statute. People under 18 years of age can participate in raffle or bingo games as long as the prize is not more than $5 in wholesale value.
The state lottery was established in 1992 and started operating in 1993. It is conducted by the Georgia Lottery Corporation[F] with headquarters in Atlanta. Georgia residents have to be 18 or more in order to buy lottery tickets. According to the laws and regulations governing the lottery, half the money collected will have to be paid back as prizes, a third will be “used to support improvements and enhancements for educational purposes and programs” and the balance will be for meeting operational expenses. A number of games and draws are restricted for Georgia residents, but the Georgia Lottery Corporation also subscribes to the national Powerball and Mega Millions.
In 2012, Georgia became one of the first states to start selling lottery tickets online. A report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution informs that this was enabled by the Federal government stating that the Wire Act applied only to sports betting. The legislature granted approval in July 2012 and online sales commenced in November 2012.
An article in the Savannah Morning News reported that in March 2013 the Georgia legislature permitted the operation of bona fide coin operated amusement machines that did not pay out prizes in cash or kind. These machines would be under the oversight of the Georgia Lottery Corporation. Tickets sales in the 2016 fiscal year were $4.55 billion, an all-time record.
Author:Joseph Falchetti (twitter)
(C) Copyright PokerWebsites.com, 2018
References and Citations
Poker is a game that has been enjoyed for generations. From groups of friends hitting up the local casino for a night out playing cards to casual games hosted in dining rooms across the country, countless individuals have enjoyed the many sides of poker since the card game was first invented. Since the advent of the Internet, it has become easier than ever to play your favorite poker games whenever you want, so long as you have a connection to the World Wide Web.
But it is true that the legality of some poker games is questionable. You see, every state has set up its own regulations regarding real money gambling. Poker is a favorite pastime for countless individuals, but it can become a legal issue if you play for money in certain instances. Throughout the following article we will take a closer look at the regulations that the state of Georgia, specifically, has put into place in order to help you make educated decisions about your poker activity.
Georgia Poker Laws & Statutes
Georgia is one of the most restrictive states in the country with regard to its gambling regulations. Because the state offers absolutely no regulated tribal or commercial gambling opportunities, the land-based poker games that are held within its borders are highly limited. In fact, the only land-based poker games that are allowed by the law are those conducted within club-based leagues. These leagues do not charge entry fees to the players who wish to engage in the game, so it is able to step around the legal issue that its activity presents by not requiring players to risk their money (with is, for all intents and purposes, one of the fundamental aspects of the definition of gambling). Despite this, players can still win cash prizes, allowing them to enjoy the full poker experience without having to lose their own cash.
The other side of the coin in terms of poker activity is Internet-based gambling. The legality of online poker games is a bit more complex, as there are no specific laws that speak to Internet-based activity with this regard.
Is it Legal to Play Online Poker in Georgia?
Previously, we discussed the fact that the law regarding Internet-based poker is a bit murky in this state—and this is a fact that has caused many officials and players to wonder just what is and is not permissible under the legal code with regard to online poker activity. Certainly, though, the state of Georgia itself has not made any moves to regulate online poker games or to offer a regulated form of Internet-based tournaments.
Despite this, countless players from Georgia engage in online poker games each and every day due to the fact that this activity is not specifically outlawed by the legal code. You see, the area of online gambling is relatively new, legally speaking. As such, most of the states—including Georgia—have not yet updated their regulations to reflect online activity. For this reason, many players feel comfortable turning to the World Wide Web to play poker instead of attending the aforementioned clubs, as they can do so on their own time and at their own convenience.
Can I Get into Trouble for Playing Online Poker Georgia?
Online poker activity is something that many players in Georgia are comfortable engaging in because they feel safe doing so. While it is true that law enforcement professionals in Georgia have worked to bust online gambling cafes, as they are called, it is also true that the level of your safety can be increased by simply choosing a trusted, reliable website on which to play the game. Websites that operate legally from other countries, such as Canada, are wonderful options because they allow you to join a community that is run in accordance with local laws.
If you are looking for a new way to play poker, online options are a great choice in Georgia. The state has not made any public announcements regarding efforts to limit Internet-based poker activity and, if you choose the right site, you can have a wonderful time engaging in your favorite games.
Free Poker Rooms No Money
Legal Poker Sites That Accept Georgia Players
In a state with as limited gambling options as there are in Georgia, it’s all the more crucial that Georgia residents find legal and credible online poker rooms to fulfill all their poker needs. Luckily, the list below should provide just such a service for any Georgia residents hoping to try their luck at the poker tables.
Bovada Poker - Most Trusted Online Poker Room For Georgia
Legal poker sites accepting Georgia residents may be a broad category, but if a player is looking for the best, there is really only one. The Bovada online poker room stands head and shoulders above all others, and a big reason is their longevity. Bovada has been serving US citizens for over 20 years, and in that span of time they have learned the value of hanging on to a good customer, and they have learned that the only way to do that is through a long and solid track record of treating all their clients with respect, and most of all, respecting the money that the clients put in.
Poker Rooms In Atlanta Georgia
In an effort to show the utmost respect for their new customer’s money, the Bovada legal poker site goes so far as to give it all back. All new customers who open an account are fully eligible to receive 100% of their first deposit back. Through this promotion, Georgia poker players can earn up to $1000 in free money to use in the Bovada poker room simply by ensuring their account remains active and plays in poker games. How many businesses offer free money simply for using their product? Counting Bovada, there’s at least one.
BetOnline Poker - All Georgia Players 18+ Welcome Here
For Georgia residents who want to ensure that they have the lion’s share of the power when it comes to how they play poker, they would be well served to check in on one of the fastest growing legal online poker rooms in the world at BetOnline. Join the hundreds of thousands of US residents all across the country who are learning one simple fact: when you play poker at BetOnline, the player is king by a wide margin.
Using this legal poker site, players have the power to enter any sort of tournament they like. Whether it’s a small stakes recreational tournament with a $2 entry fee or a high stakes, all day tournament for a huge payout or anything in between, BetOnline has it covered. Upon creating an account, check with BetOnline poker weekly for the most comprehensive list of tournaments available, even offering specials around events like Valentine’s Day or even Thanksgiving. With BetOnline, there is truly poker for all seasons.
| Legal Georgia Poker Sites | Welcome Bonus | What To Play | Site Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Poker Play / Sign Up | $1,000 FREE - 100% Match | Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo - Stud Hi/Lo | |
| BetOnline Poker Play / Sign Up | Maximum $1K: 200% Rate | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| SportsBetting Play / Sign Up | 200% Match / $1,000 Max | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| 5Dimes Poker Play / Sign Up | Vary Weekly - Check Website | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo |
Does Georgia Have Legal Land-Based Poker?
As we have mentioned, the only legal poker options that are open to players in the state of Georgia, on a land-based basis, are those offered by clubs. Club-hosted poker tournaments are common across the state and they have found a loophole in the law by not requiring players to put up an entry fee to participate. While the restricted number of land-based opportunities can prove exceptionally inconvenient to players who are looking to engage in a tournament but don't have a local club, individuals who can take advantage of this unique poker experience actually enjoy it because they are able to play the game without having to risk their own money.
Legal Land-Based Poker Rooms For Georgia Players
In terms of land-based poker options, Georgia players are limited to clubs that offer tournaments. As we have mentioned, these clubs actually don't charge an entry fee for players, as this is how they are able to get around the state's gambling laws and operate in accordance with its regulations.
Regarding online options, it is important that you pick a high quality, stable, and trusted website when choosing where to play poker. Seeking recommendations from trusted sources, including experienced players, is a great way to narrow down your options and, ultimately, choose a website that will allow you to have the best experience possible.
Future of Poker/Online Poker in Georgia
Poker Rooms In Georgia Usa
Currently, the future of poker in this state is unknown. While officials have made efforts to stop online gambling cafes, they have not made any public actions that would indicate that they are trying to limit online poker activity. If you are looking to participate in a poker tournament, the land-based clubs in this state are a fantastic option; however, if you want an Internet-based experience that allows you to play the games you want when you want, it is important to turn only to trusted websites.