Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Georgia?
Fans across the South keep asking: is online sports betting Georgia players dream about finally legal? The quick answer is no. Right now, Georgia remains one of the most restrictive states in the country when it comes to sports gambling. Lawmakers have debated the issue for years, but bills continue to fail in the statehouse. While other sports gambling legal states like Tennessee and North Carolina already offer NFL betting and mobile apps, Georgians are still waiting. This guide breaks down the current rules, why sports betting isn’t legal yet, and what the future might hold.
Online Sports Betting Georgia: Current Status
Georgia has not legalized sports betting online or in-person. That means no retail sportsbooks, no online sportsbooks, and no licensed apps.
The only legal gambling options in the state are the lottery, charity bingo, raffles, and coin-operated amusement machines. For players looking for NFL betting lines or live in-game wagers, there are no licensed outlets.
Some bettors turn to offshore sites, but those are unregulated and carry risks. By law, only the state can authorize online sports betting legal markets, and Georgia hasn’t taken that step.
Read more: Looking for the ultimate guide to NFL betting this season? We've got you covered right here!
Why Isn’t Sports Betting Legal Online in Georgia?
The main barrier is the state constitution. Any new gambling expansion often requires a voter referendum. Lawmakers have introduced bills multiple times—such as SB 386 and SB 57—but none have passed both chambers.
One major sticking point is how tax revenue would be spent. Some proposals direct funds toward education, while others spread revenue across infrastructure or healthcare. Disagreements over allocation have kept bills from moving forward.
This is a sharp contrast to other sports betting legal online states, where legislatures moved quickly once the federal ban was lifted in 2018.
Online Sports Betting Apps: What’s Available?
Since Georgia has no legal sportsbooks, there are no licensed online sports betting apps for fans to download.
However, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests like DraftKings and FanDuel operate legally. PrizePicks, which started in Atlanta, also runs as a “social sportsbook” where users make over/under picks on player stats.
Example: You could log into PrizePicks and pick whether Desmond Ridder throws for more or fewer than 225 yards in a Falcons game. While that feels like NFL betting, it’s technically classified as fantasy sports—not legal sports wagering.
So, while traditional sportsbooks are banned, these DFS-style apps fill some of the demand.
Online Sports Betting How To: Georgia Players’ Options
Since full online sports betting isn’t available, here’s what Georgia players can legally do today:
- Play the Georgia Lottery or keno games.
- Join a DFS platform like PrizePicks or DraftKings for fantasy contests.
- Visit a neighboring state like Tennessee or North Carolina, where online sports betting apps are live and licensed.
For example, a fan in Atlanta might drive across the border into Tennessee. Once your phone pings a legal location, you can open DraftKings or FanDuel, browse NFL betting lines, and lock in a wager. That’s currently the only legal workaround.
Sports Gambling Legal States vs. Georgia
Right now, more than 35 states have legalized sports betting in some form. States like New Jersey, Colorado, and Michigan allow multiple sportsbooks to compete online.
Georgia, however, remains in the shrinking group of states with no legal sportsbooks at all. That means players here miss out on promos, odds boosts, and the variety that comes with an open market.
The contrast is clear: while sports gambling legal states drive billions in revenue, Georgia has yet to join the action.
What’s Next for Online Sports Betting Legal Efforts?
In early 2025, polls showed 63% of Georgians support legalizing sports betting. That public backing has renewed pressure on lawmakers.
There’s talk of pushing the question onto the 2026 ballot. If approved, Georgia could finally allow regulated sportsbooks and online sports betting apps. Until then, bettors will need to wait.
This slow pace is frustrating for fans who see NFL betting as part of the game-day experience. Still, the political tide is turning, and Georgia may not hold out much longer.
Online Sports Betting Example: Falcons Fans
Let’s say you’re a Falcons fan. You want to bet on Atlanta to beat the Saints by a field goal. In Tennessee, you’d open a sportsbook app, scroll to NFL betting spreads, and tap the Falcons -3.
In Georgia, you can’t. The only legal option is to enter a fantasy-style contest and predict player stats. The difference shows how limited the market is compared to sports betting legal states.
Final Thoughts on Online Sports Betting Georgia
Georgia remains a no-go for sports betting fans. Online sports betting legal markets exist across the country, but not here. Bills have been introduced, but politics and constitutional hurdles keep holding them back.
For now, fans can stick with DFS contests or drive to nearby states to place legal wagers. But with strong public support and growing momentum, the question isn’t if Georgia will legalize sports betting online—it’s when.
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