If there’s any state that knew how to make gambling work back in the day, it has got to be the state of Georgia – the birthplace of southern hospitality and the land of peaches. Way back in the early 1800s, the people of Georgia actually held lotteries to fund education in the state.

After this lightbulb moment, the state of Georgia prohibited gambling in public places, unless the activities were conducted by “respectable gentlemen”. In the 1860s, the civil war ended, and the state of Georgia went running back to gambling again. This time, it was legalized to help rebuild the city.

Sadly, the people’s interest in the lotteries died when it became political. Since then, gambling legislation has struggled through different political climates in the state of Georgia. In 2011, the Georgia Lottery Commission proposed in a report that the state should issue licenses to three casinos in the state, but this did not work out, and that report has since gathered enough dust to be buried under with. In 2015, Ron Stephens, a member of Georgia’s House of Representatives, enthusiastically introduced a resolution that would have allowed as much as six casinos to receive licenses of operation in Georgia. This resolution lost steam as well.

The Legality of Poker in the State of Georgia

According to Section 16-12-21 of the Georgia Penal Code, you have committed the offense of gambling in Georgia when you “play and bet for money or other things of value at any game played with cards, dice, or balls.”

Therefore, poker in the state of Georgia is considered illegal. Over the years, lawmakers in Georgia have managed to stay on the fence regarding poker legislation.

There’s no regulation of online gambling in the state. but there are licensed online poker sites that residents of Georgia can access to enjoy the game of poker.

Poker Rooms/Casinos in the State of Georgia

There has been no attempt to legalize poker or casino games in Georgia and as such, there is not a single legal casino present in the state. Therefore, if you find a casino in Georgia, be aware that it is illegal.

While some states allow for private card games, Georgia state laws clearly state that all forms of poker for profit are illegal. It also refers to a gambling place as “. . . any real estate used for the purposes of gambling.” This clearly applies to a private card game, so a home game with friends is technically totally illegal.

Online Poker Sites in the State of Georgia

While live casinos are not legal in Georgia, there’s nothing to stop you from playing on the internet. Many Georgians have played and made their names in the online poker/casino community, with wins as high as $8 million. There are several poker sites where you can create an account, gain access to the game of poker and possibly win.

Ignition poker

This is one of the largest poker rooms for people in the United States, which includes the state of Georgia.

Ignition poker offers a 100% bonus of up to $1000 for your very first deposit. For all your tournament and sit-and-go-play, there exists a 30% payback. Ignition is available everywhere, as they host a mobile app and can also be played on any internet browser.

Games such as No-Limit Texas Hold’em, PLO/8, and Pot-Limit Omaha on Ignition Poker have starting bets from $0.02/$0.05, up to $10/$20. Sit-and-go are also available here from $1 + $0.05 up to $200 + $14. More exciting than all of these is the MTT Lobby, where up to $1.5 million is available in guaranteed events every week.

Adjarabet

Adjarabet is a popular online casino site accessible in Georgia, with a great reputation due in large part to its functionality and variety of tournaments. Adjarabet is also ready with 24/7 chat support to make your gaming experience more comfortable. It also has live casinos and hotels around the country, though not in Georgia of course. But if you’re ever traveling and would like to play a game of poker, you can stop by an Adjarabet casino to play an in-person game.

The minimum bet allowed on Adjarabet is $0.47, allowing low stake players to get in on the fun. On Adjarabet, there are three-seater poker tournaments available for you to play and win as much as 1000 times your buy-in. The site offers a bonus of 100% bonus on your first deposit.

Americas Cardroom

Americas Cardroom is a US friendly online poker room that allows Georgians on the platform. The amazing online poker site has a huge catalog of poker games available, offering multiple options to its users. Americas Cardroom accepts various cryptocurrencies for deposits. You can access games such as No-Limit Hold’em, Omaha Hold’em, Sit and Go games, and fast-fold Zone Poker. It features very reliable and prompt customer support and a VIP loyalty program. It also offers enticing bonuses like a weekly progressive jackpot, and a 100% welcome bonus of up to $1,000 for new customers.

Americas Cardroom has a minimum deposit of $25, while players using cryptocurrency have a minimum deposit of $10 and a maximum deposit of $25,000. The site is compatible with your mobile devices, so you can have the experience of your favorite games on the go.

Other online poker sites available in Georgia are Bovada Poker, BlackChip Poker, Juicy Stakes Poker, BetOnline Poker, SportBetting Poker, and True Poker.