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?
As per the
Deceptive Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act, 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 good site.
What identifies a Georgia sweepstakes casino?
Let’s go into this a bit further and highlight the features that are present at
social 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,
gold coins
are used for entertainment purposes only and can't be redeemed for real money prizes. They have no value outside the sweepstakes casino, but you can purchase more via an optional Gold Coin package if you run out. |
| Sweeps Coins |
Sweepstakes casino-style games |
These are the promotional play coins available at sweepstakes casinos. They work the same way as Gold Coins, except that you’ll be unable to purchase more when you run out. Instead, you receive them as a bonus during promotions or when you purchase an optional Gold Coin package. However, you can redeem SC winnings for real money prizes after completing the wagering requirements. |
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, and Stake.us, though. You should also compare welcome offers to be sure of getting the best one.
- Click our banner to be redirected to one of our favorite sweepstakes casinos. For this example, we will be going with RealPrize
- Once the site loads, click on the green “Sign up/ Join now” button
- Enter your first name, last name, email, and password
- Then accept the terms and conditions and click on create account
- You’ll receive a link in your email that you need to click to verify your account
- Once done, log in to your new account and claim your no deposit bonus of 100,00 GC + 2 SC
Before you proceed, you’ll be required to verify your identity. RealPrize has put this in place to ensure you are in a supported region. This will require you to upload a valid Government-issued ID and proof of address. If everything checks out, you should be done within minutes.
If you prefer, you can register using your Google or Facebook. Most sweepstakes casinos give this option for players who prefer a faster signup process. Click any of the options to create an account using your information on these platforms. Note that you'll need to be signed into your Facebook/Google account for it to work.
The overall sign-up process is similar, save for some slight variations, even if you decide to register on other sweepstakes casinos.
Our selection of top sites
1.
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2.
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3.
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4.
25 Stake Cash + 560K Gold Coins + 3.5% Rakeback
5.
Exclusive Offer boost: Get 50,000 Gold Coins + 40 SC FREE
Best Sweepstakes Casinos in Georgia
Since real money online casinos are illegal in Georgia, there are lots of sweepstakes casinos operating in the state. Finding the best from these operators can take time, so we’ve handpicked five of the top sweepstakes casinos you can visit in the state. Below, we quickly compare some of the bonuses and games you can find on these sites:
| Casino | Welcome bonus | Daily login | Games |
| RealPrize | Up to 625,000 GC, 125 SC, and 1,250 VIP points | 5,000 GC and 0.3 SC | Slots, table games, poker, Plinko |
| Stake.us | 560,000 GC, 25 SC, and 5% Rakeback with PROMOBOY bonus code | 10,000 GC and 1 SC | Slots, live dealer games, Plinko, Crash, HILO, Dice, Poker, table games, scratch cards |
| LoneStar | Up to 500,000 GC, 105 free SC, and 1,000 VIP points | 5,000 GC and 0.3 SC | Slots, table games, poker, Plinko |
| CrownCoins | Up to 1.5 million CC and 75 SC | Progressive rewards up to 100,000 CC and 2 SC | Slots, Plinko, Hilo, table games, Dice, Tower, Crash, and Coin Flip |
| WOW Vegas | 1.75 million WOW Coins and 35 SC | 0.25 SC | Slots, live dealer games, Bingo, scratch cards, table games |
Real Prize - Great welcome bonus
Pros and cons of RealPrize
- Excellent Daily login bonus of 5,000 GC and 0.30 SC
- Fast gift card redemptions often within 24 hours
- Quality sweepstakes casino games from top providers like NetEnt
- Seven-tier VIP program with increasing rewards
- PayPal supported for purchases and redemptions
- Small game library of only 200+ titles
- Live chat support limited to higher VIP tiers
- No dedicated sweepstakes casino app
RealPrize is my first pick in Georgia with games like Blackjack, Roulette, slots, crash, and other exclusive titles. If you need something fresh, there is a fun Mega Ball game that you can try out.
When I signed up, I received a decent welcome bonus of
625,000 GC, 125 SC, and 1,250 VIP
points to boost mystanding in its loyalty program. A daily login bonus, Vegas lucky draw, referral bonus, and daily challenges are also available. With the daily challenges, you can get up to 4 SC free if you complete all tasks, but make sure to go through every requirement.
While playing games on RealPrize can be a lot of fun, things get even better if you have enough redeemable SC to request a cash prize redemption. With just 45 SC, you can process a gift card redemption to receive an Amazon or Adidas shopping voucher. For situations where you prefer cash prizes, you’ll need to get 100 SC to use the Skrill or bank transfer redemption option.
Stake.us - Top games selection
Stake.us: Pros & Cons
- 1200+ casino-style games
- Safe and legit
- Cool promo deals
- Live chat support
Stake.us is my go-to option for original games like Plinko, Dice, Limbo, Mines, and Crash. These games are fast-paced with instant wins, making them excellent temporary alternatives when you need a break from the table games, game shows, or slots. I also advise you try the Wild Bingo game for a thrilling bingo/slot experience.
With over 2,000 games to pick from, finding lots of free GC or SC to use is crucial. To ensure you always have a chance to play for free, Stake.us has lots of promotions like its daily races, challenges, tournaments, slot battles, multiplier drops, and daily login bonus to provide free Stake Cash. New users also enjoy a massive
560,000 GC, 25 SC, and 5% Rakeback
as a welcome bonus with the
PROMOBOY
bonus code.
It’s worth noting that Stake.us is a crypto sweepstakes casino, meaning it utilizes provably fair technology and allows you to redeem cash prizes using fiat payment options, Bitcoin, or Ethereum. Although the 3x playthrough requirement is higher than many other sites, you only need around 45 redeemable SC to process a request.
LoneStar - Great loyalty program
Lonestar Casino: Pros and Cons
- Generous GC and SC welcome bonus
- 300+ varied games from top developers
- Redeem Sweeps Coins winnings
- Optional Gold Coin purchases
If you’re in the market for a site with a great loyalty program, then LoneStar is a great option. The more you play games at the casino, the faster you advance through the loyalty program, which is quite easy with the free GC and SC you claim. There are seven loyalty levels, and each tier unlocks unique perks like a birthday bonus, improved daily rewards, LoneStar Merchandise, and access to exclusive games.
LoneStar offers games from many top providers, including Playson, Kalamba, Big Time Gaming, Booming Games, Red Tiger, and Relax Gaming. The game library comprises slots and table games, featuring unique categories such as LoneStar Infinity games, Vegas Vibes, Spin & Win, and Megaways reels.
You’ll have access to a steady supply of free GC and SC, starting from the massive welcome package of up to
500,000 GC, 105 free SC, and 1,000 VIP points.
Other promotions available include a refer-a-friend bonus, a Score boost, and tournaments.
CrownCoins Casino - Progressive daily rewards
- Crown Coins and Sweeps Coins on sign-up
- Mobile app for iOS users
- Responsive support team
- Great range of ongoing promotions
- Smaller selection of casino-style games
CrownCoins has lots of great bonuses available to players, starting with its welcome package of up to
1.5 million Crown Coins and 75 Sweeps Coins. Next, you have a progressive daily login bonus of up to
100,000 CC and 2 SC
if you stay consistent for 30 days. The operator also has daily missions you can complete for more bonuses, a referral bonus, and exclusive game bonuses, like its Chewy’s Trail offer.
Since its launch, CrownCoins has steadily grown its game library from a slots-only selection to a more diverse platform. Now, you can find slots, Plinko, Hilo, table games, Dice, Tower, Crash, and Coin Flip games. The icing on the cake is the inclusion of progressive jackpot games from reputable developers like Playson.
The casino supports redemptions via gift cards or as real cash prizes with a 1x wagering requirement on all coins you receive. With its 50 SC minimum redemption, CrownCoins is one of the few options when searching for low redemption options in Georgia.
WOW Vegas - Low minimum gift card redemptions
Pros and cons of Wow Vegas
- Huge game library with over 2,100 slots from top software developers
- Frequent social media giveaways
- Generous welcome bonus of 1.75 Million WOW Coins and 35 Free Sweeps Coins
- One of the best VIP programs on the market
- No table games available
- Only 3 SC per mailing request
When looking for top sweepstakes bonuses, WOW Vegas is one of the top options. The casino has a massive welcome bonus of up to
1.75 million WOW Coins and 35 Sweeps Coins, a 0.25 SC daily login bonus, and a 20 SC referral bonus. You can also find other offers like the MegaWheel spin, first purchase bonus, leaderboard tournaments, loyalty program, and challenges.
If you’re looking for something different from the slots, scratchcards, live dealer games, or table games you can find on WOW Vegas and many other sweepstakes casinos, then you should try its bingo selection. This category consists of top options including The WOWzer, Bingo Freeway, and WOW Rush Bingo.
WOW Vegas supports the occasional Gold Coin purchase through options like Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank cards, Skrill, and Trustly. However, its redemption options are what really matter. Here, you can select Prizeout gift cards with a 25 SC minimum, or stick to Skrill or Trustly if you have 100 redeemable SC.
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 certain, 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 directly or in the same way as regular cash. Sweeps Coins are used for promotional play in online casinos that you can’t purchase. However, you can redeem your SC winnings for real cash prizes after meeting the playthrough requirement.
Every sweepstakes casino attaches its own value to Sweeps Coins. Always reconfirm this on the terms and conditions page of your preferred platform before you start the redemption process.
2. How many Sweeps Coins can I redeem?
The minimum number of Sweeps Coins you can redeem is dependent on the sweepstakes casino. Each casino has a minimum redemption threshold, typically ranging from 50 to 100 SC. In some cases, you may find platforms allowing redemptions for as little as 30 SC. There's also usually a maximum number of SC you can redeem, running into up to 5,000 SC or more, depending on the platform.
Here's a breakdown of what you can expect from our favorite sweepstakes casinos in Georgia
- RealPrize: Supports a minimum redemption of 45 SC and a maximum of 100 SC.
- Stake.us: You can start the redemption process when you have between 50 and 100 SC
- Lonestar: The operator requires you to have a minimum of 45 - 100 SC in winnings before you can redeem them.
- Crown Coins: Prize redemptions begin at 50 SC with this sweeps casino
- WOW Vegas: This operator allows you to redeem a minimum of 25 SC, which is one of the lowest you can find. If you want fast access to your SC winnings, this is your best option.
3. What prizes are available?
Again, the available prizes depend on the sweepstakes casino you register with. In most cases, you can redeem your SC winnings for gift cards and cash prizes. However, some platforms offer alternative prize options, such as merchandise, as is the case with
Stake.us.
We’ve put together some of the options in the table below.
| Sweeps casino
|
Gift cards
|
Cash prizes |
| RealPrize
|
Yes, a minimum of 45 SC |
Yes. 100 SC minimum
|
| Stake.us |
Prizes can be redeemed for gift cards and merchandise for a minimum of 50 SC.
|
Supported. With a minimum of 100 SC |
| LoneStar
|
Available. Minimum redemption begins from 45 SC |
Available from 100 SC |
| Crown Coins
|
Gift card redemption is available with a minimum of 50 SC.
|
Supports redemption from 100 SC
|
| WOW Vegas
|
Yes, 25 SC minimum for gift card redemptions
|
Cash prize redemption allowed with a minimum of 100 SC |
4. Which methods can I redeem my Sweeps Coins winnings with?
The redemption method available depends on the sweepstakes casino. Common options include bank transfers, e-wallets, gift cards, and cryptocurrencies. Here are some examples from top sites:
- RealPrize: Supports redemptions using gift cards and bank transfers. If you go with the latter, you'll need to wait for 2-5 days for payments to process.
- Stake.us: You can redeem prizes through gift cards and over 20 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum. Processing time is much faster if you use cryptocurrencies.
- LoneStar: Allows transfers to your bank account.
Note that in most instances, you might be restricted to using the same payment method used for purchasing optional Gold Coin packages.
How to redeem real prizes in Georgia
Once you have accumulated enough SC winnings, you can redeem them for real money prizes. However, there are a few things we advise you to note in order prevent delays in redemption.
- Confirm to make sure you’ve met the minimum SC redemption threshold. This ranges from 25 to 100 SC in most cases.
- Make sure you have met the playthrough requirements attached to SC winnings. It is usually within 1 to 3 times, which is better than regular platforms.
- Ensure you have properly completed your account verification process. If you send in a redemption request before doing this, you’ll run into issues.
After sorting these out, follow these steps to redeem your prizes:
- Log in to your sweepstakes casino account
- Head to the redemption page and click on “Redeem.”
- Choose your preferred redemption option and enter the number of SC you want to claim
- Click on confirm and wait for it to appear in your account
- Note that this process may take up to 5 days or more, depending on the site
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.
Our favorite bonuses for December
1.
Get up to 500K Gold Coins + 105 FREE SC + 1000 VIP points
2.
200% Extra: 300,000 Gold Coins + 30 SC
3.
200% Extra Coins: 10,000 Gold Coins + 30 SC FREE
4.
25 Stake Cash + 560K Gold Coins + 3.5% Rakeback
Wagering (WR): 3x
5.
Exclusive Offer boost: Get 50,000 Gold Coins + 40 SC FREE
Bonuses at sweepstakes casinos in Georgia
Top sweepstakes casinos in Georgia, like those reviewed above,
offer bonuses
to both new and regular players. Unlike traditional online casinos, this does not come as free cash, but rather in Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, which can be used to play for free. Keep reading as we explore some of the popular options you'll likely come across.
Most sweeps casinos will reward you with
no deposit bonuses
consisting of free Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins after you sign up for a new account. This does not require a purchase in most cases and is a great way to test a platform and see if it works for you.
Sometimes, sweepstakes platforms may add a boost or discount to optional Gold Coin packages. This could be up to 200%, which means if you decide to purchase a Gold Coin package, you get 200% extra to play with. What’s more, it usually comes with free Sweeps Coins as a bonus.
Here, you receive free Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins every day you log into your account. You can claim
daily login bonuses
every 24 hours, meaning the potential is limitless. It is also a great option for regular players who want to rack up some free coins in the process.
With this bonus, you receive free SC and GC when you refer your friends to sign up for a sweepstakes casino using your unique referral link. However, there may be other requirements involved. For instance, the referred player might need to purchase an optional GC purchase before you receive the bonus.
Top sweepstakes casinos maintain a solid social media presence, where they regularly host contests. To participate, follow their social media pages and partake in these contests for a chance to claim free GC and SC. You’ll also get access to exclusive promotions announced on these pages.
If you continue to play games on a sweepstakes casino, you can become a part of its VIP/Loyalty program. This is similar to what you’ll find on traditional online casinos, where you have to play to acquire points and climb up the tiers. The higher the tier you go, the better the rewards available to claim. In most cases, you’ll find exclusive bonuses, birthday offers, faster redemption, and dedicated customer support.
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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