Strict on gambling: What does the law say about casinos in Georgia?
Let’s begin by looking at what you can and cannot do in Georgia. This is a strict state regarding gambling laws. Here’s the current situation:
| Type of Casino |
Is it Legal in Georgia? |
| Land-based casino |
No |
| Online casino |
No |
| Sweepstakes casino |
Yes |
There’s some good news here then, and that’s because sweepstakes casinos are different to any traditional casinos available online in other states. If you want to know about sweepstakes casinos in Texas, our full guide to sweepstakes laws in TX will provide info for that state.
What does Federal law say about sweepstakes?
Sweepstakes are generally permitted if they provide prizes as part of a game of chance. No payment should be required to participate - payment is also referred to as a consideration in this case. If prizes are offered with payment to participate, it becomes gambling or a lottery, depending on the format. Sweepstakes must not therefore require any purchases to take place.
Why does Georgia sweepstakes law allow these sites when it outlaws regular casinos?
This is crucial to understand, because these sites are indeed legal and perfectly fine to use if you live in Georgia and you’re old enough to do so. The key aspect is that they comply with sweepstakes laws. So, even though they provide a casino-style format, they abide by the rules that cover sweepstakes. There is also nothing to prevent the sites offering social gaming, which they do as well.
That said, not all social and sweepstakes casinos provide their services in Georgia. Always check the terms of use for each individual site to confirm whether you can play there. This should be the first step you take whenever you spot a promising site.
What identifies a Georgia sweepstakes casino?
Let’s go into this a bit further and highlight the features that are present at sweepstakes casinos operating online in Georgia:
- No purchase is necessary
- Sweepstakes games provide random Sweeps Coin prizes rather than being based on skill
- Taxes are payable on any prizes redeemed from Sweeps Coins winnings
- The minimum age for players to participate in sweepstakes is 18 years
All online Georgia sweepstakes casinos provide two virtual currencies to use
You won’t find the capacity to make deposits or request any withdrawals from sweepstakes casinos, as that’s not how they work. Instead, there are two virtual currencies reflecting the two modes of play - social gameplay and sweepstakes gameplay.
| Coin Type |
Available to Play… |
Can They Lead to Real Prizes? |
| Gold Coins |
Social casino-style games |
No |
| Sweeps Coins |
Sweepstakes casino-style games |
Sweeps Coins winnings can be redeemed for a real prize |
Some sites create different names for the two in-house currencies, but it should be easy to tell them apart. You’ll usually receive a welcome bonus when you sign up for a site, and it’s quite usual to receive plenty of Gold Coins - or their equivalent - and just a few Sweeps Coins, or whatever the site calls them. The site should also explain how they work, to comply with Georgia sweepstakes rules. If you read sweepstakes casinos in Florida, our full guide to sweepstakes laws in FL, you’ll see the same is relevant there, too.
Understanding the legality of playing sweepstakes games in Georgia
Even if you’ve only ever seen screenshots of the slots on offer at traditional online casinos offered in other legal states, you might realize that sweepstakes casinos operating in Georgia have many of the same titles to play. Is this legal? Why are the same titles on offer? How come you can play slots, table games, scratch cards, and even other titles including poker?
The fact is, it’s not the title or format that matters - it’s how you play them. If you played a slot at a traditional online casino, you would play it either as a demo game for free, or by making wagers using your own funds. When you play at a sweepstakes casino, you can use free Gold Coins to enjoy some social gameplay, with nothing but enjoyment and no real prizes to worry about. Alternatively, you can save up as many Sweeps Coins as you can find, play with those, and see if you can win some inside the slot. If you do, those Sweeps Coins winnings are redeemable for an actual prize, which complies with sweepstakes laws.
That’s why you will see lots of familiar titles at these sites, and why you can still appreciate them and stay within the laws in operation in the Peach State. If you’d like to know the situation in the Prairie State instead, read sweepstakes casinos in Illinois, our full guide to sweepstakes laws in IL.
Joining a Georgia sweepstakes casino: Here’s how to do it
It’s best to visit a few sites before signing up anywhere, just to be sure they’re available in your state and that they offer casino-style games you’d like to play. For example, McLuck and Jackpota are not currently available in Georgia. You can play at WOW Vegas, Stake.us, and High 5 Casino, though. You should also compare welcome offers to be sure of getting the best one.
- Look for the register or sign up button to load the form
- Enter your details
- Verify your email address (some sites may require phone verification)
- Provide valid ID to prove who you are, your legal age, and your address
- Once verification is complete, you’ll be able to play
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How to find Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins at Georgia sweepstakes casinos
These are your tokens to find and use, and there are several ways you can find them. I’ll reiterate the point about no purchases being required to participate in sweepstakes, as that is important to remember here.
🎉 Picking up a signup bonus
Many sweepstakes casinos will give new players some of each of the coins to use when signing up. You’ll get plenty of Gold Coins and perhaps one or two Sweeps Coins, although the exact offer depends on the site. If you read sweepstakes casinos in Pennsylvania, our full guide to sweepstakes laws in PA, you will see that any sweepstakes casinos in operation there will have an identical welcome offer to those complying with Georgia sweepstakes law. You don’t tend to see different offers from one state to the next.
📅 Receive a daily login bonus
This is an easy offer to get because you just need to sign into your account each day to receive it. Some sites offer a fixed number of Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins each day, whereas others keep it a mystery - you need to log in to find out what you’ll get each day. You might even be invited to spin a wheel to reveal what you’ll receive that day. Make sure you remember to do it though, as the daily login bonus never rolls over. If you neglect to log in to your chosen Georgia sweepstakes casino, you’ll miss your bonus for that day.
📬 Mail-in method to get more Sweeps Coins
This is more complicated, involving specific instructions on requesting Sweeps Coins via the mail. However, you will find this available at all sweepstakes casinos - usually detailed in their Sweeps Rules. Most sites provide these as a separate set of rules to read, although occasionally I’ve seen a site combine them into their main terms of use.
👥 Refer other players to Georgia sweepstakes websites
This is within the rules too - the idea that you can refer other people to the site (friends or family, for example) and each successful referral will bring you some Gold Coins and possibly Sweeps Coins as well. I want to highlight some caveats here though:
- Some sites don’t have a referral program
- Those that do might limit the number of referrals you can make
- Some require referees to make purchases before awarding your referral bonus
💰 Make an optional purchase of a Gold Coin package
It’s within the sweepstakes laws in Georgia to offer Gold Coin purchases, since there is no requirement to do this, and the Gold Coins do not lead to any real prizes. While it is not guaranteed, some purchases may also involve some free Sweeps Coins. The quantity available depends on the package size and price, and on the site you’re using. This complies with the law as you are not purchasing the Sweeps Coins - you are purchasing Gold Coins and getting a freebie with them.
📲 Look out for social media competitions
Most reputable social and sweepstakes casinos in Georgia have active social media pages on Instagram and Facebook. They often advertise competitions and giveaways which can drop large amounts of Gold Coins - and sometimes Sweeps Coins as well. Since not everyone enters, and not every player even follows these social media pages, it’s worthwhile entering as many giveaways as you can.
Prize redemption and Georgia sweepstakes law
Let’s move on and discuss the idea of redeeming prizes at these sites. To reiterate, there are two virtual currencies available, and the Gold Coins won’t lead to any actual prizes. If you play social games with those and win some Gold Coins, you can use them to continue playing the same social game or switch to something else to play instead.
Sweeps Coins give you the chance to play and try to win more Sweeps Coins. You won’t be able to redeem Sweeps Coins that you get via bonuses immediately. You can, however, redeem your Sweeps Coins winnings for a real prize. Here are some queries players often have on this topic at Georgia sweepstakes casinos.
1. Does each Sweeps Coin have a value?
Not as such, but many sites will state that one Sweeps Coin is equal to one US dollar for redemption purposes, and the Sweeps Rules will confirm this.
2. How many Sweeps Coins can I redeem?
You should find a minimum and maximum amount stipulated in the sweepstakes rules. You must meet the minimum threshold to be able to redeem any winnings.
3. What prizes are available?
Sweeps Coins winnings are usually either given in cash or as gift cards. Some sites impose a lower threshold to meet to receive a gift card compared to cash.
4. Which methods can I redeem my Sweeps Coins winnings with?
These will vary between sites, but the general rule is that the method you have made a purchase with will usually be used for redemption purposes as well. If you haven’t purchased any Gold Coins, the site will require you to select a method.
Pros and cons of playing at Georgia sweepstakes casinos
- Plenty of sweepstakes sites operate in the state
- Lots of appealing slots and social games to play
- Available if you’re aged 18 and over
- Some sites have added Georgia to their prohibited states list
Sweepstakes play pops up in the Peach State
Georgia has some of the most restrictive state laws around casinos, and this doesn’t seem likely to change just yet. That’s why sweepstakes casinos have become so popular, as they provide a practical, lawful, and entertaining alternative. Providing you’re of legal age and can prove your identity and Georgia residential address, you’re good to sign up to one of many sites that welcome Peach State players.
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Georgia sweepstakes law FAQs
🔒 Are sweepstakes casinos safe?
Yes, while they do not require a license like traditional casinos, many reputable businesses provide sweepstakes casinos online in accepted states.
💰 Can I withdraw my winnings from a sweepstakes casino?
No, you can only redeem Sweeps Coins winnings for a real prize by following current Sweeps Rules on the applicable site.
🏛️ Why do some sweepstakes casinos not operate in Georgia?
This state has strict laws and regulations, so while sweepstakes are legal to offer there and participate in, some sweepstakes sites have chosen not to cater to those in Georgia.
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