Is FanDuel Legal in Atlanta? What Residents and Visitors Need to Know

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or you’re visiting and wondering, “Is FanDuel legal in Atlanta?”, the answer depends on how you want to use FanDuel.

FanDuel offers two main types of products in the U.S.:

  • Daily fantasy sports (DFS) – creating fantasy lineups and competing for prizes
  • Online sports betting – placing wagers on real games and outcomes

In Atlanta, the legal status is different for each.

Quick Answer: FanDuel in Atlanta at a Glance

FanDuel ProductLegal Status in Atlanta (Georgia)Notes
Daily Fantasy SportsOperates in a gray areaFanDuel DFS is available to Georgians, but state law doesn’t clearly define it.
Online Sports BettingNot legal as of nowYou cannot legally place real-money sports bets using FanDuel Sportsbook in Georgia.

Is FanDuel Sportsbook Legal in Atlanta?

No. Real-money online sports betting with FanDuel Sportsbook is not legal anywhere in Georgia, including Atlanta.

Why sports betting isn’t allowed in Atlanta

  • Georgia law does not currently authorize online sports betting.
  • That means you cannot legally use FanDuel Sportsbook (or any similar online sportsbook app) to place bets while physically located in Atlanta or anywhere else in the state.
  • Even if you downloaded the app in another state, geolocation technology is used to detect that you’re in Georgia and will typically block betting.

You may see news about proposed bills in the Georgia General Assembly to legalize sports betting, but until lawmakers pass and implement such laws, online sports betting remains illegal.

What About FanDuel Daily Fantasy Sports in Atlanta?

This is where things get more nuanced.

FanDuel also runs daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests, where you:

  • Draft virtual lineups of real players
  • Compete against other users’ lineups
  • Win or lose based on player performance statistics

DFS in Georgia: A “gray area”

Georgia does not have a specific, modern law that clearly regulates daily fantasy sports. However:

  • FanDuel and other major DFS platforms accept players located in Georgia, including Atlanta residents and visitors.
  • Many Atlantans do use FanDuel for daily fantasy contests without issue.
  • Regulators in Georgia have not created a dedicated, up-to-date DFS licensing system the way some other states have.

Because of this, DFS is often described as operating in a legal gray area in Georgia:

  • It is not expressly legalized and regulated by a comprehensive statute.
  • It is also not actively shut down statewide.
  • FanDuel, like other operators, classifies DFS as a game of skill, which is treated differently than pure gambling in many places.

If you choose to play DFS from Atlanta, it’s important to understand you’re using a service in an area that is not as clearly regulated as, for example, the Georgia Lottery.

Can You Use FanDuel in Atlanta If You Visit a Nearby State?

Many Atlantians consider driving or flying to nearby states to place legal sports bets.

Neighboring states and FanDuel access

  • Some neighboring states do allow online sports betting and partner with operators like FanDuel.
  • However, your ability to place bets depends on your physical location at the time of betting, not your home address.

Key points:

  • If you are physically in Georgia, you cannot legally bet using FanDuel Sportsbook.
  • If you travel to a state where FanDuel is legally licensed for sports betting, you typically can bet while in that state—then the app will stop allowing bets when you return to Atlanta.
  • The app uses location services (GPS, Wi‑Fi, and other data) to verify where you are.

Anyone considering this should:

  • Check the local laws of the state they’re visiting.
  • Be aware that rules can change and you are responsible for following the laws where you place bets.

In-Person Betting Options in Atlanta

As of now, there are:

  • No legal in-person sportsbooks in Atlanta.
  • No casinos with sportsbooks operating under Georgia law.
  • Gambling options in Georgia are mostly limited to specific, regulated activities such as:
    • The Georgia Lottery
    • Certain charitable games under strict rules

So if you’re hoping to walk into a brick-and-mortar sportsbook in Downtown Atlanta, Buckhead, Midtown, or near Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, that option does not legally exist today.

How Georgia Treats Gambling and Betting

Understanding the broader Georgia gambling landscape helps explain why FanDuel Sportsbook isn’t legal.

General approach in Georgia

Georgia has historically taken a restrictive stance on gambling. In general:

  • Traditional sports betting, most casino-style games, and commercial casinos are not permitted by state law.
  • The state does allow:
    • The Georgia Lottery, including scratch-offs and draw games
    • Some charitable fundraising games with specific rules
  • Any expansion to include sports betting or full casinos usually requires legislative action, and potentially voter approval.

For people in Atlanta, this means:

  • Apps like FanDuel Sportsbook remain off-limits until laws change.
  • You’ll mainly see lottery products and occasionally limited promotional events tied to those, not full-scale sports betting.

How to Check the Most Current Status

Laws and regulations can change, and sports betting is a fast-moving topic in many states, including Georgia. If you’re in Atlanta and want the most up-to-date picture, you can:

1. Follow updates from the Georgia General Assembly

You can track bills and proposed legislation related to gambling and sports betting through the Georgia General Assembly’s public information resources or local news that covers state politics.

2. Contact state agencies for clarification

For general questions about what types of gambling are allowed in Georgia, Atlantans can reach out to:

Georgia Lottery Corporation
Headquarters (serving the whole state, including Atlanta)

  • 250 Williams Street NW, Suite 3000
    Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main phone: (404) 215‑5000

While the Lottery does not regulate FanDuel directly, staff may be able to explain what forms of gambling are currently legal in Georgia and point you to official guidance.

3. Check with the Georgia Attorney General’s Office

For higher-level legal interpretations, you can look at consumer information or opinions available from:

Office of the Attorney General of Georgia

  • 40 Capitol Square SW
    Atlanta, GA 30334
  • Main phone: (404) 656‑3300

They can’t provide personal legal advice over the phone, but public information and formal opinions may shed light on the state’s position toward new forms of gambling.

Practical Takeaways for People in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta, GA and thinking about using FanDuel, keep these points in mind:

  • FanDuel Daily Fantasy Sports:

    • Available to players in Georgia, including Atlanta.
    • Operates in a legal gray area, not fully clarified by modern Georgia DFS legislation.
  • FanDuel Sportsbook (real-money sports betting):

    • Not legal to use within Atlanta or anywhere in Georgia as of now.
    • The app will block betting while you are physically in Georgia.
  • 🎯 Location matters:

    • Your ability to place sports bets on FanDuel depends on where you are at the moment of betting, not just your Atlanta address.
  • 📍 No local sportsbooks or casinos in Atlanta:

    • You won’t find legal in-person FanDuel-branded sportsbooks or casino-style sportsbooks operating under Georgia law in the city.

If sports betting laws change in Georgia, Atlanta residents and visitors could eventually see legal access to FanDuel Sportsbook and possibly local sportsbook locations—but until new laws are passed and implemented, FanDuel’s role in Atlanta is limited to daily fantasy contests, not legal sports betting.