Can You Buy Lottery Tickets at Atlanta’s Airport? A Practical Guide for Travelers

If you’re flying through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and wondering whether you can pick up a Georgia Lottery ticket on your way to or from a flight, you’re not alone. Many travelers hope to grab a quick Powerball, Mega Millions, or scratch-off while they wait at the gate.

Here’s how lottery access actually works at Atlanta’s airport, and what your best options are nearby.

Can You Buy Lottery Tickets Inside Atlanta Airport?

In most cases, you should not expect to find lottery tickets for sale past security at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Inside the secure concourses (A–F, T, and the International Terminal):

• Shops and kiosks typically focus on food, books, souvenirs, and travel essentials
• Standard lottery terminals and scratch-off dispensers are not a common feature of airside airport retail
• Even in convenience-style shops, the lottery services you see at gas stations and neighborhood markets usually aren’t available

While individual retail offerings can change over time, the general experience at ATL is that you cannot reliably buy Georgia Lottery tickets once you’ve gone through TSA.

If buying a ticket is important to you, plan to do it before you reach the security checkpoint or near the airport but outside the terminals.

Can You Buy Lottery Tickets Before Security at ATL?

The main terminal area (before TSA) includes ticketing, baggage claim, and some retail. However, it still does not function like a typical neighborhood convenience store.

Common patterns you’ll see:

• Food counters and coffee shops
• Newsstands and gift shops with snacks, magazines, and travel accessories
• Car rental desks and service counters

These spaces are not usually equipped with Georgia Lottery sales terminals. So even before security, inside the airport building, you should not count on finding a place to buy lottery tickets.

If you absolutely want a ticket before your flight, your best bet is to stop at a retailer near ATL on your way in.

Where Near Atlanta Airport Can You Buy Lottery Tickets?

While ATL itself is not set up as a lottery hub, the surrounding area has plenty of Georgia Lottery retailers, especially along the main roads approaching the airport.

Common types of places that often sell tickets near ATL include:

• Gas stations and convenience stores
• Independent neighborhood markets
• Some grocery stores and pharmacies in nearby areas like College Park, East Point, and Hapeville

You can typically find retailers:

• Along Camp Creek Parkway (northwest of the airport)
• Along Riverdale Road and Old National Highway (south and southeast of the airport)
• Around the Virginia Avenue and Best Road corridors near the airport hotels

Because specific store inventories can change, it’s helpful to:

• Look for “Georgia Lottery” signs in store windows
• Ask the cashier directly if tickets are sold at that location
• Use the Georgia Lottery retailer locator (via their official channels) before your trip to identify a stop on your route to ATL

Quick Reference: Airport vs. Nearby Lottery Access

Here’s a simple overview of what to expect:

Timing Tips for Travelers Who Want Lottery Tickets

If you live in Atlanta or are arriving by car, plan your lottery stop into your airport commute instead of hoping to find tickets once you’re at the terminal.

Here are a few practical strategies:

1. Buy Before You Head to the Airport

If you’re coming from home, work, or a hotel in the metro area:

• Stop at a grocery store, gas station, or pharmacy you already know sells lottery
• This is usually more convenient than trying to find a retailer in the busy roads right around ATL
• You avoid the stress of traffic, time pressure, or missing a turn close to the airport

2. Build in a Quick Stop Near ATL

If you still want to buy closer to the airport:

• Add 5–10 minutes to your travel time for a quick gas station stop
• Focus on major roads leading to the airport, such as Camp Creek Parkway or Riverdale Road
• Keep an eye out for Georgia Lottery decals on windows or near the entrance

3. If You’re Connecting Through Atlanta

If you’re only in ATL for a layover and do not leave the secure area:

• You are very unlikely to find a place to buy Georgia Lottery tickets during your connection
• To buy a Georgia Lottery ticket, you would generally need to exit security and visit an off-airport retailer, which is not realistic for most connections

How Georgia Lottery Rules Affect Airports

Understanding how the Georgia Lottery works helps explain why ATL doesn’t operate like a typical lottery outlet.

A few key points:

• Georgia Lottery tickets are sold through licensed retailers—individual stores that sign up and maintain lottery equipment
• Airport shops often have specialized contracts and security requirements, making it less practical for them to operate lottery terminals
• Lottery tickets are a state-regulated product, and airports prioritize fast-moving travel retail over services like bill pay, money orders, or lottery sales

Because of these factors, major airports across the U.S.—including ATL—generally don’t emphasize lottery sales inside their secure areas.

What Types of Lottery Tickets Are Sold Near Atlanta Airport?

When you do find a Georgia Lottery retailer near ATL, you’ll typically see the same core options you’d find elsewhere in the metro area:

• Draw games
  • Powerball
  • Mega Millions
  • Cash 3, Cash 4, and other daily games
• Scratch-off tickets
  • Various price points, usually starting at a low cost and going up
  • Different themes and prize structures

Not all retailers carry every possible game, but most gas stations and small markets carry a broad mix of draw tickets and scratch-offs.

Checking Tickets and Claiming Prizes if You’re Traveling

If you buy a ticket near Atlanta Airport, here’s what to keep in mind:

While You’re Still in Atlanta

• You can usually check tickets at any Georgia Lottery retailer using in-store scanners or by asking the clerk
• For smaller prizes, retailers may be able to pay you directly in cash, depending on the amount and store policy

After You Leave Atlanta or Georgia

• If you’ve left the state but still have a Georgia Lottery ticket, you are generally required to claim prizes through Georgia’s official lottery claim channels, which you can find via the Georgia Lottery Corporation
• Larger prizes commonly require either:
  • Visiting an official Georgia Lottery office, or
  • Mailing the ticket following the official instructions

For information or assistance, you can contact:

Georgia Lottery Corporation (Headquarters)
250 Williams Street NW, Suite 3000
Atlanta, GA 30303
Customer service phone (general information is typically available during business hours)

Because details like prize claim limits and office hours can change, it’s wise to verify current procedures directly with the Georgia Lottery before making a special trip.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Flyers

• You should not plan on buying lottery tickets inside Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, especially once you’ve gone through security.
• Lottery access is much better at nearby gas stations, convenience stores, and markets in the College Park, East Point, and Hapeville areas.
• If winning the jackpot is on your travel checklist, build a lottery stop into your route to ATL rather than relying on airport shops.

With a little planning before you arrive at Hartsfield–Jackson, you can enjoy your Georgia Lottery traditions—without cutting it close to boarding time.