Sweepstakes Casinos in Georgia

Stakester's Take

Our top choices for Georgia players seeking quality gaming experiences include Fortune Wheelz, Fliff, and Vegas Coins. These platforms stand out for their exceptional game variety, user-friendly interfaces, and generous welcome bonuses.

Stakester reviews all legal and legitimate sweepstakes casinos, and our editorial content is never influenced by affiliate marketing relationships.

Georgia's Sweepstakes Casino Laws: Legal Status Explained

Georgia bans nearly all casino-style gambling, including traditional online casinos, sports betting, and horse racing, and limits legal gambling to the state lottery, charitable bingo, and raffles. Yet Georgia law also carves out an exception for promotional contests: under O.C.G.A. Sec.16‑12‑36, “lawful promotional and giveaway contests” involving an element of chance are not treated as lotteries or gambling offenses.

Sweepstakes casinos leverage this exemption by offering two types of play credits: “Gold Coins” for entertainment and “Sweeps Coins” that can be redeemed for real prizes once wagering requirements are met. Because players can obtain these credits for free, without any purchase or fee, these platforms qualify as sweepstakes under the Fair Business Practices Act (O.C.G.A. Sec.10‑1‑393) rather than as gambling operations prohibited by Georgia’s gambling statutes

Georgia's Broader Online Gambling Restrictions

Real-money online casinos remain illegal in Georgia, along with:

• Sports betting
• Poker rooms
• Horse racing wagering
• Daily fantasy sports (operate in a legal gray area)

The state has made periodic attempts to legalize forms of gambling beyond the lottery, particularly sports betting.

In early 2024, a sports betting bill gained approval in the Senate but faced challenges regarding whether a constitutional amendment would be required. As of 2025, no significant expansion of gambling has been enacted.

Legal Risks and Gray Areas

Sweepstakes casinos operate legally in Georgia under specific exemptions, but players should understand:

1. Evolving regulations: Georgia's gambling laws can change, potentially affecting sweepstakes casinos' legal status
2. Selective enforcement: Several operators like B2 Services have already withdrawn from Georgia due to regulatory concerns
3. Compliance variations: Not all platforms interpret legal requirements identically, creating inconsistent player experiences

The state's conservative approach to gambling regulation means enforcement is particularly strict. Players should protect themselves by:

• Using only established, well-reviewed platforms with clear legal compliance
• Staying informed about regulatory changes through official channels
• Understanding each platform's terms and conditions thoroughly.

Player Eligibility Requirements

To legally participate in Georgia sweepstakes casinos:

• Age requirement: Players must be at least 18 years old under Georgia law
• Verification: Most platforms require government-issued ID verification
• Location verification: Georgia residency must be confirmed before prize redemption

Providing false information violates both platform terms and state law. Some sweepstakes casinos set a higher minimum age of 21 to align with industry standards in other states. 

Georgia's Gambling Regulator

In Georgia, the Georgia Lottery Corporation (GLC) serves as the primary regulatory authority for the state lottery and Coin Operated Amusement Machines (COAMs). Other forms of legal gambling, such as charitable bingo and raffles, are regulated separately and not overseen by the GLC.

Sweepstakes casinos are not directly licensed or regulated by any specific Georgia state agency. Instead, they operate legally under the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act and state gambling laws, which permit promotional contests as long as no purchase is required for entry. This legal framework allows sweepstakes casinos to offer games and prizes to Georgia residents without violating state gambling prohibitions.

Should online gambling become legalized in Georgia in the future, it is likely-but not certain-that the GLC would be considered for a regulatory role, depending on the structure of any new legislation.

Enforcement of gambling laws in Georgia is primarily handled by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Commercial Gambling Unit (CGU). The CGU is responsible for investigating illegal gambling operations and enforcing regulations related to COAMs, often working in coordination with the GLC. However, sweepstakes casinos themselves are not the direct focus of the CGU, as they operate within the bounds of current state law.

There is currently no statewide industry association representing gambling operators in Georgia.

Responsible Gambling

While Georgia lacks a comprehensive regulatory framework specifically for casinos, the state does provide some resources for responsible gambling:

• Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities: Receives $200,000 annually from unclaimed lottery prizes to fund education and treatment programs for problem gambling
• Georgia Council on Problem Gambling: Provides support, education, and treatment referrals for Georgia residents
• National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700 (available to Georgia residents)
  Georgia Crisis & Access Line: 1-800-715-4225 offers mental health support for gambling-related issues

Sweepstakes casinos operating in Georgia typically include responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits, time limits, and reality checks to help players maintain control of their gaming activities. Many platforms also offer voluntary self-exclusion programs that allow players to restrict their access.
Players experiencing gambling-related problems should reach out to these resources promptly, as early intervention is critical in addressing gambling addiction.

Georgia's Sweepstakes Casino Tax Requirements

Players must report winnings from sweepstakes casinos on their tax returns, though the classification differs from traditional gambling winnings:

• Federal taxes: Sweepstakes prizes are generally reported as "other income" on a 1099-MISC form rather than as gambling winnings
• Georgia state taxes: Winnings are subject to Georgia's state income tax at rates up to 5.75%
• Reporting threshold: While tax laws vary, most sweepstakes casinos issue tax forms when prizes exceed $600 in a calendar year
• Record keeping: Players should maintain records of purchases and redemptions for tax purposes

Unlike traditional casinos that may withhold taxes at the time of payout, sweepstakes casinos typically place the responsibility on players to report and pay taxes on their own. Most platforms include tax disclaimers in their terms and conditions, advising players to consult with tax professionals regarding their specific situations.

Latest Georgia Regulatory Changes Affecting Sweepstakes Gaming

Recent developments affecting sweepstakes casinos in Georgia include:

• March 2025: Fortune Wheelz and Crown Coins expanded their operations in Georgia as the state continues to maintain its prohibition on real-money gambling
• February 2025: The Georgia Senate approved a sports betting bill (SB 386), but added an amendment requiring a constitutional amendment, complicating its path to legalization
• January 2025: The Money Factory launched in Georgia, offering a new sweepstakes option for players seeking diverse gaming experiences
• October 2024: As neighboring states expanded gambling options, Georgia legislators discussed potential gambling expansion but failed to reach consensus.
• September 2024: Fliff Casino and Vegas Coins received positive legal opinions confirming their compliance with Georgia's sweepstakes laws, strengthening their position in the market.

These ongoing changes highlight the dynamic nature of Georgia’s sweepstakes gaming landscape, with new platforms and evolving legislation continuing to shape the opportunities available to players.