Can You Gamble in Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to What’s Legal (and What Isn’t)

If you’re wondering “Can you gamble in Atlanta?” the short answer is: traditional casino gambling is not legal in Atlanta or anywhere else in Georgia, but there are a few legal ways to play games of chance and enjoy a night out that feels a bit “Vegas-lite.”

This guide walks through exactly what types of gambling are allowed in Atlanta, what’s not allowed, and what options locals and visitors actually use for gaming and nightlife.

Is Casino Gambling Legal in Atlanta?

No. Atlanta does not have legal casinos, table games, or slot machines open to the general public.

Under Georgia law:

• Commercial casinos are not permitted
• Tribal casinos do not operate in Georgia
• Slot machines and video poker for cash payouts are illegal
• You won’t find legal roulette, blackjack, craps, or poker rooms like you might in Las Vegas or Atlantic City

If you see advertising for “casinos near Atlanta,” those are typically:

• Out-of-state casinos (for example, in Alabama, North Carolina, or Mississippi)
• Casino cruise buses that drive people from Atlanta to casinos in neighboring states

What Types of Gambling Are Legal in Atlanta?

While there are no casinos, a few forms of gambling or gambling-adjacent entertainment are legal and regulated in Georgia and accessible from Atlanta.

1. Georgia Lottery (Including in Atlanta)

The Georgia Lottery is the most common legal form of gambling for Atlanta residents.

You can legally buy:

• Scratch-off tickets
• Draw games like Mega Millions, Powerball, Fantasy 5, and Cash 3/Cash 4
• Keno-style games at some locations

These are sold at convenience stores, grocery stores, gas stations, and other retailers across Atlanta.

Key details:

• Minimum age: 18
• Overseen by: Georgia Lottery Corporation
  • Main office (statewide):
    Georgia Lottery Headquarters
    250 Williams St NW, Suite 3000
    Atlanta, GA 30303
    Phone: (800) 766-1277

While this isn’t “casino nightlife,” people often work lottery tickets into group outings, bar meetups, or casual hangouts.

2. Coin‑Operated Amusement Machines (COAMs) in Bars & Shops

You may see video game machines in some Atlanta bars, restaurants, and convenience stores that look a little like slot machines.

These are called Class B Coin Operated Amusement Machines (COAMs). They’re legal in Georgia only if they follow strict rules.

What they are:

• Games that involve some element of skill (for example, touch-screen games, puzzle or redemption-style games)
• Regulated by the Georgia Lottery Corporation
• Often placed in Atlanta bars, lounges, and convenience stores

Important restrictions:

• You cannot legally receive cash payouts from these machines
• Law allows non-cash prizes only, such as:
  • Store merchandise
  • Fuel cards
  • Gift cards or credits (within legal limits)

If a spot in Atlanta is paying out cash from these machines, that can be a sign of illegal gambling, and both the location and players could face consequences.

3. Charitable Raffles and Bingo

Some nonprofit organizations in Atlanta may run bingo nights or raffles as fundraisers. These can be legal if the organization follows Georgia’s charitable gaming rules.

Typical settings:

• Churches
• Community centers
• Local clubs and civic organizations

Key points:

• The organization must usually be a qualified nonprofit and have the proper registration or permit
• Proceeds must support charitable or nonprofit purposes, not private profit
• Games and prize values are generally regulated by Georgia law

If you’re attending a raffle or bingo night in Atlanta, it’s usually safe to assume the organizers have handled the paperwork, but if you’re planning to host one, you need to check Georgia’s rules with:

• Georgia Secretary of State – Charities Division
  2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr SE, Suite 313, West Tower
  Atlanta, GA 30334
  Phone: (404) 654-6023

4. Social Gambling at Home

Many people in Atlanta ask about poker nights or small-stakes games at home.

Georgia law is strict about gambling, but generally:

• Private, social games at home where:
  • Everyone has a real stake
  • The host or organizer does not take a cut or “rake”
  • The game is not open to the public
  • The game is truly among friends / known guests

…are often treated differently than commercial gambling.

However, Georgia’s gambling laws can be interpreted broadly, and any game where money or items of value are risked on chance may fall under the state’s gambling prohibition if not clearly in a private, noncommercial context.

If you’re running anything that looks like a public poker room or recurring money game, even out of a home or business in Atlanta, you may be at legal risk.

What About Sports Betting, Online Gambling, and Fantasy Sports?

Sports Betting in Atlanta

As of the latest widely known regulations:

• Legal sports betting (online or in-person) is not yet available in Georgia
• You cannot legally bet on sports at a sportsbook, casino, or mobile app licensed by Georgia
• Traveling to a neighboring state with legal sports betting is common for some Atlanta residents, but the betting itself must take place physically in that state to be legal under that state’s rules

Lawmakers periodically debate legal sports betting, so this could change. To check current status, look to:

• Georgia General Assembly (for new bills or changes in law)

Online Casinos and Online Poker in Atlanta

• Online casinos, online slots, and online poker rooms are not legal under Georgia law if they are offering games for real money to players physically located in the state.
• Even if a website is hosted overseas, if you are in Atlanta and it offers real-money gambling, you may be participating in activity that Georgia considers illegal.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) – where you assemble players into a fantasy lineup and win or lose based on their real-world performance – exists in a gray area in some states.

In Georgia:

• DFS contests operate without explicit statewide licensing, and their status can be legally complex.
• Many national fantasy platforms accept players from Georgia, but that does not guarantee Georgia has formally authorized the activity.

If you’re concerned about legality or taxes on winnings, speaking with a Georgia-based attorney or tax professional is advisable.

Gambling-Like Nightlife Options in Atlanta (Without Breaking the Law)

Even though traditional gambling is restricted, Atlanta has ways to capture a bit of that “casino-night” feel for fun or special events.

Casino-Themed Parties & Fundraisers

Event companies in and around Atlanta sometimes offer:

• Casino night rentals (roulette wheels, blackjack tables, craps tables, play-money chips)
• Professional dealers for corporate parties, charity events, and private celebrations

These setups typically use:

• Play money or tokens, not real cash
• Prizes or raffle entries, rather than direct cash payouts

Because there’s no real-money wagering, these are often treated as entertainment services, not gambling. Still, if you’re the organizer, it’s smart to:

• Confirm the company understands Georgia gambling laws
• Make sure no real cash betting is involved

Arcade Bars & Game Lounges

Atlanta has a growing scene of:

• Arcade bars
• Game lounges
• Entertainment venues that offer:
  • Pinball
  • Retro arcade games
  • Pool, darts, and shuffleboard
  • Group trivia nights

These provide a lively, competitive environment without risking money on games of chance. You pay for:

• Entry
• Time/play on machines
• Food and drinks

It’s social competition, not gambling.

Poker Leagues with No Buy‑In (Bar Poker)

Some Atlanta bars host free-to-play poker leagues, where:

• You don’t pay a buy-in
• You might earn points or qualify for larger promotional events or prizes
• The bar benefits from increased food and drink sales, not from taking a piece of the pot

Because there’s no direct wagering of money for a prize, these can be structured to comply with Georgia law. Always confirm:

• There’s truly no buy-in or required purchase to play
• No one is collecting a “rake” from a pot of real money

Quick Summary: What’s Legal and What’s Not in Atlanta

Here’s a simple, at-a-glance overview:

How to Stay on the Right Side of the Law in Atlanta

If you’re planning a gambling-related activity in or around Atlanta, keep these guidelines in mind:

1. No cash payouts from machines

   • If a bar or store offers cash for gaming-machine credits, that’s a red flag.

2. Avoid running unlicensed games for profit

   • Hosting a regular poker tournament, taking a cut, or advertising public buy-in games can draw legal attention.

3. Charity events need proper registration

   • For raffles or bingo in Atlanta, make sure the nonprofit has the necessary paperwork with state authorities.

4. When in doubt, ask a professional

   • For businesses, nonprofits, or promoters, speaking to an attorney familiar with Georgia gambling law can prevent costly mistakes.

If you need general guidance on whether an activity may require registration or licensing, you can contact:

• Georgia Lottery Corporation (for COAM and lottery questions)
  250 Williams St NW, Suite 3000
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (800) 766-1277

• Georgia Secretary of State – Charities Division (for raffles/bingo)
  2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr SE, Suite 313, West Tower
  Atlanta, GA 30334
  Phone: (404) 654-6023

In practice, you can’t walk into a legal casino or sportsbook in Atlanta, but you can:

• Buy lottery tickets and scratch-offs
• Enjoy legal amusement machines with non-cash prizes
• Attend or organize properly registered charitable gaming events
• Host low-key, private social games with caution
• Take advantage of casino-style entertainment nights that use play money

Understanding these boundaries lets you enjoy Atlanta’s nightlife safely, without stumbling into illegal gambling.