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Editor: Philip Conneller
As a journalist, Philip Conneller has covered the gaming industry for the past two decades. As an editor, he was part of the team that launched Bluff Magazine at the height of the poker boom. Now, as a writer and reporter, he focuses on gaming law, tribal gaming, politics, crime, and regulation.

Georgia Code defines illegal gambling as “betting upon the final result of any game or contest, or upon games played with cards, dice, or balls, to win money or other things of value.” This definition is broad enough to cover online gambling and has been applied to skill-based games with an element of luck, such as competitive poker. Engaging in illegal gambling constitutes a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 12 months in jail.

The minimum gambling age in Georgia is 18. Most gambling-related matters are covered by the Georgia Code, section 16-12-20 et seq.

AllowedNotes
Land-based Casino GamblingNo-
Online GamblingNo -
LotteryYes -
Charitable GamingYesBingo and raffles
Minimum Gambling Age18 for lottery and charitable gaming-

Gambling in Georgia is generally prohibited. Legalizing any form of gambling requires a constitutional amendment. This lengthy legislative process has been completed only twice, in 1976, when the residents voted in favor of legal bingo, and in 1992, when a state lottery was authorized.

Georgia State Flag

Georgia is conservative when it comes to gambling. The local state-operated lottery was introduced as late as 1992, almost three decades after many other states had passed similar regulations. Consequently, the number of land-based gambling options in Georgia is minimal – your only option beyond the lottery is charitable gambling.

Georgia hasn’t regulated online gambling, although many offshore gambling sites accept players from the state.

Georgia Statutes are very strict when dealing with land-based gambling. The offense of partaking in illegal gambling is a misdemeanor, and even poker home games are illegal. State laws also prohibit the transfer of information that is related to betting. But the state has never prosecuted anyone for playing on an offshore site.

Georgia Casinos

The only way to enjoy real-money casino games in Georgia legally is to embark on a casino cruise. The Emerald Princess is the only vessel that still offers services of this kind. Its Savannah-based competitor, Tradewinds, went out of business in 2015. The Emerald Princess gives its customers access to 200 slot machines, 12 blackjack tables, two roulette wheels, and one craps table.

Georgia used to have quasi-legal video poker machines, which appeared in the state in the 1990s thanks to a loophole authorizing redemption games in arcade gaming parlors. Businesses operating such devices were not allowed to pay cash. Instead, they relied on gift cards.

In 2001, video poker was banned following a special session of the General Assembly. The ban was challenged by the video poker industry in a 2h002 lawsuit, but ultimately Georgia’s Supreme Court sided with the legislature.

Gambling terminals were reintroduced to the state in 2013. Gas stations, convenience stores, and bars were allowed to install video lottery terminals (VLTs) or coin-operated amusement machines (COAMs) under the oversight of the Georgia Lottery Corporation. Credits won on these machines can only be redeemed for store merchandise and lottery tickets, as cash prizes are still banned, although some outlets have been known to skirt the law.

Georgia Poker

Playing poker for cash is illegal in Georgia and no exception is made for home games or social games. Players who want to get some live action tend to travel to Jacksonville in Florida, where they can participate in cash games and tournaments hosted by Creek Entertainment Gretna, Ebro Poker Room, or Bestbet Jacksonville.

The only in-state alternative is to go on an Emerald Princess casino cruise and sale out of Georgia jurisdiction. Texas Hold 'Em cash games are available in the EP Poker Pit, but games are based on player participation, so check with the casino manager before you board to ensure games will be running.

Online poker in Georgia is only legal as long as no money is involved, so local poker enthusiasts have to stick to social poker sites, such as Zynga or PlayWSOP. Playing on real-money offshore sites is illegal and theoretically constitutes a misdemeanor, although Georgia has never prosecuted anyone for playing poker online.

Georgia Sports Betting

Sports betting in all forms is illegal in Georgia, including betting on horse and greyhound races. Successive bills to legalize sports betting have all failed in the legislature. If one such bill were to pass -- and there's no guarantee -- Georgia sportsbooks would still need to be approved by the voters in a statewide referendum.

Georgia Daily Fantasy Sports

Major DFS sites like FanDuel or DraftKings operate in Georgia based on the premise that the contests they offer are based on skill rather than chance and thus don’t violate state gambling regulations.

In 2016, the Georgia Attorney General’s office dismissed these arguments in a letter addressed to Georgia Lottery. Deputy Attorney General Wright Banks Jr. stated that a DFS participant whose “skill level hasn’t changed from one game to the next is just as likely to win one tournament, then lose the next tournament due to the performance outside of participant’s control.”

While no legal action has been taken since then, this should not be mistaken for a guarantee that participating in paid-entry DFS contests would not be treated as a misdemeanor by a Georgia court.

In 2017 and 2018, Georgia lawmakers considered a bill that would legalize paid-entry DFS contests within state lines. The House and the Senate Committee approved the bill. Unfortunately, it was ultimately tabled in March 2018.

Georgia Lotteries

The Georgia Lottery offers a wide range of draw games, including popular multi-state options, such as Powerball, Mega Millions, and Cash4Life. It’s also authorized to offer scratchers, Second Chance products, and online-only Diggi games. Lottery tickets can be purchased online or from land-based retailers.

The lottery was founded to fund education and is required to contribute to the HOPE Scholarship, which funds college tuition for qualifying students.

Georgia Bingo

Georgia residents are allowed to participate in live bingo games operated by registered non-profit organizations. The prize pools cannot be higher than $1,500 per day or $3,000 per week. Online bingo is illegal and playing on offshore sites constitutes a misdemeanor.

Georgia Gambling FAQ

What types of legal gambling are available in Georgia?

Precious few. Residents can play the lottery, which is also available online. Other than that, there is charitable bingo and "COAMs," gaming terminals that offer vouchers or lottery tickets as prizes.

Are there casinos in Georgia?

No. Your only option is to board the Emerald Princess casino cruise and sail away from Georgia jurisdiction. Alternatively, play casino games online at the Georgia online casinos located offshore.

Is sports betting legal in Georgia?

No, sports betting is illegal in Georgia, even horse race wagering. Successive attempts to legalize it in the legislature have failed.

Does Georgia have a lottery?

Yes. The Georgia Lottery offers a wide range of draw games, including popular multi-state options. Tickets can be purchased online.

Is there tribal gaming in Georgia?

No, and the state does not contain any tribal reservations.

Can I gamble online legally in Georgia?

No. Georgia has not regulated online casino, poker, or sports betting. The only form of internet gambling available is online lottery ticket purchases. Gambling with an offshore site is a misdemeanor, although no one has ever been prosecuted for doing this.

Georgia Code

13-8-3.

(a) Gambling contracts are void; and all evidences of debt, except negotiable instruments in the hands of holders in due course or encumbrances or liens on property, executed upon a gambling consideration, are void in the hands of any person.

(b) Money paid or property delivered upon a gambling consideration may be recovered from the winner by the loser by institution of an action for the same within six months after the loss and, after the expiration of that time, by institution of an action by any person, at any time within four years, for the joint use of himself and the educational fund of the county.

16-12-20.

As used in this part, the term:

(1) "Bet" means an agreement that, dependent upon chance even though accompanied by some skill, one stands to win or lose something of value. A bet does not include:

(A) Contracts of indemnity or guaranty or life, health, property, or accident insurance; or

(B) An offer of a prize, award, or compensation to the actual contestants in any bona fide contest for the determination of skill, speed, strength, or endurance or to the owners of animals, vehicles, watercraft, or aircraft entered in such contest.

(2) "Gambling device" means:

(A) Any contrivance which for a consideration affords the player an opportunity to obtain money or other thing of value, the award of which is determined by chance even though accompanied by some skill, whether or not the prize is automatically paid by contrivance;

(B) Any slot machine or any simulation or variation thereof;

(C) Any matchup or lineup game machine or device, operated for any consideration, in which two or more numerals, symbols, letters, or icons align in a winning combination on one or more lines vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or otherwise, without assistance by the player. Use of skill stops shall not be considered assistance by the player; or

(D) Any video game machine or device, operated for any consideration, for the play of poker, blackjack, any other card game, or keno or any simulation or variation of any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, any game in which numerals, numbers, or any pictures, representations, or symbols are used as an equivalent or substitute for cards in the conduct of such game.

Any item described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of this paragraph shall be a prohibited gambling device subject to and prohibited by this part, notwithstanding any inference to the contrary in any other law of this state.

(3) "Gambling place" means any real estate, building, room, tent, vehicle, boat, or other property whatsoever, one of the principal uses of which is the making or settling of bets; the receiving, holding, recording, or forwarding of bets or offers to bet; or the conducting of a lottery or the playing of gambling devices.

(4) 'Lottery' means any scheme or procedure whereby one or more prizes are distributed by chance among persons who have paid or promised consideration for a chance to win such prize, whether such scheme or procedure is called a pool, lottery, raffle, gift, gift enterprise, sale, policy game, or by some other name. Except as otherwise provided in Code Section 16-12-35, a lottery shall also include the payment of cash or other consideration or the payment for merchandise or services and the option to participate in or play, even if others can participate or play for free, a no skill game or to participate for cash, other consideration, other evidence of winnings, or other noncash prizes by lot or in a finite pool on a computer, mechanical device, or electronic device whereby the player is able to win a cash or noncash prize, other consideration, or other evidence of winnings. A lottery shall also include the organization of chain letter or pyramid clubs as provided in Code Section 16-12-38. A lottery shall not mean a:

  • (A) Promotional giveaway or contest which conforms with the qualifications of a lawful promotion specified in paragraph (16) of subsection (b) of Code Section 10-1-393;
  • (B) Scheme whereby a business gives away prizes to persons selected by lot if such prizes are made on the following conditions:
    • (i) Such prizes are conducted as advertising and promotional undertakings in good faith solely for the purpose of advertising the goods, wares, and merchandise of such business;
    • (ii) No person to be eligible to receive such prize shall be required to:
      • (I) Pay any tangible consideration to the operator of such business in the form of money or other property or thing of value;
      • (II) Purchase any goods, wares, merchandise, or anything of value from such business; or
      • (III) Be present or be asked to participate in a seminar, sales presentation, or any other presentation, by whatever name denominated, in order to win such prizes; or and
    • (iii) The prizes awarded shall be noncash prizes and cannot be awarded based upon the playing of a game on a computer, mechanical device, or electronic device at a place of business in this state;

16-12-21.

(a) A person commits the offense of gambling when he:

(1) Makes a bet upon the partial or final result of any game or contest or upon the performance of any participant in such game or contest;

(2) Makes a bet upon the result of any political nomination, appointment, or election or upon the degree of success of any nominee, appointee, or candidate; or

(3) Plays and bets for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, or balls.

(b) A person who commits the offense of gambling shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

16-12-22.

(a) A person commits the offense of commercial gambling when he intentionally does any of the following acts:

(1) Operates or participates in the earnings of a gambling place;

(2) Receives, records, or forwards a bet or offer to bet;

(3) For gain, becomes a custodian of anything of value bet or offered to be bet;

(4) Contracts to have or give himself or another the option to buy or sell or contracts to buy or sell at a future time any gain or other commodity whatsoever or any stock or security of any company, when it is at the time of making such contract intended by both parties thereto that the contract to buy or sell, the option whenever exercised or the contract resulting therefrom, shall be settled not by the receipt or delivery of such property but by the payment only of differences in prices thereof;

(5) Sells chances upon the partial or final result of or upon the margin of victory in any game or contest or upon the performance of any participant in any game or contest or upon the result of any political nomination, appointment, or election or upon the degree of success of any nominee, appointee, or candidate;

(6) Sets up or promotes any lottery, sells or offers to sell, or knowingly possesses for transfer or transfers any card, stub, ticket, check, or other device designed to serve as evidence of participation in any lottery; or

(7) Conducts, advertises, operates, sets up, or promotes a bingo game without having a valid license to operate a bingo game as provided by law.

(b) A person who commits the offense of commercial gambling shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years or by a fine not to exceed $20,000.00, or both.

16-12-22.1.  [This provision governs raffles by charitable organizations.  It is set forth at Georgia Charity Gaming]

16-12-26

(a) A person who knowingly prints, publishes, or advertises any lottery or other scheme for commercial gambling, or who knowingly prints or publishes any lottery ticket, policy ticket, or other similar device designed to serve as evidence of participation in a lottery commits the offense of advertising commercial gambling.

(b) A person who commits the offense of advertising commercial gambling shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.

16-12-27.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, firm, corporation, or other entity to sell, distribute, televise, broadcast, or disseminate any advertisement, television or radio commercial, or any book, magazine, periodical, newspaper, or other written or printed matter containing an advertisement or solicitation for participation in any lottery declared to be unlawful by the laws of this state unless such advertisement, commercial, or solicitation contains or includes the words "void in Georgia" printed or spoken so as to be clearly legible or audible to persons viewing or hearing such advertisement, commercial, or solicitation.

(b) Any person, partnership, firm, corporation, or other entity violating subsection (a) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

16-12-28.

(a) A person who knowingly communicates information as to bets, betting odds, or changes in betting odds or who knowingly installs or maintains equipment for the transmission or receipt of such information with the intent to further gambling commits the offense of communicating gambling information.

(b) A person who commits the offense of communicating gambling information, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years or by a fine not to exceed $5,000.00, or both.

16-12-33.

A person who gives, offers, or promises any reward, money, or other thing of value to anyone who participates or expects to participate in any amateur or professional athletic contest, sporting event, or exhibition or to any coach, trainer, manager or official in such athletic contest, sporting event, or exhibition with intent to influence such person to lose, try to lose, or cause to be lost or to affect the margin of victory or defeat in such athletic contest, sporting event, or exhibition commits the offense of bribery of a contestant and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1,000.00 nor more than $5,000.00 or by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years, or both.

16-12-34.

A person participating or expecting to participate or any coach, trainer, manager, or official in any amateur or professional athletic contest, sporting event, or exhibition who solicits or accepts any reward, money, or other thing of value with the intent, understanding, or agreement that it influence him to lose, try to lose, or cause to be lost or to limit the margin of victory or defeat in such athletic contest, sporting event, or exhibition by failing to exert his best efforts or to exercise his best judgment commits the offense of soliciting or accepting a bribe and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1,000.00 nor more than $5,000.00 or by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years, or both.

[Georgia's version of the so-called Chuck E. Cheese law.]

16-12-35.

(a) Any other laws to the contrary notwithstanding, this part shall not be applicable to the manufacturing, processing, selling, possessing, or transporting of any printed materials, equipment, devices, or other materials used or designated for use in a legally authorized lottery nor shall it be applicable to the manufacturing, processing, selling, possessing, or transporting of any gaming equipment, devices, or other materials used or designated for use only in jurisdictions in which the use of such items is legal. This part shall in no way prohibit communications between persons in this state and persons involved with such legal lotteries or gaming devices relative to such printed materials, equipment, devices, or other materials or prohibit demonstrations of same within this state.

(a.1) As used in this Code section, the term "some skill" means any presence of the following factors, alone or in combination with one another:

(1) A learned power of doing a thing competently;

(2) A particular craft, art, ability, strategy, or tactic;

(3) A developed or acquired aptitude or ability;

(4) A coordinated set of actions, including, but not limited to, eye-hand coordination;

(5) Dexterity, fluency, or coordination in the execution of learned physical or mental tasks or both;

(6) Technical proficiency or expertise;

(7) Development or implementation of strategy or tactics in order to achieve a goal; or

(8) Knowledge of the means or methods of accomplishing a task.

The term some skill refers to a particular craft, coordinated effort, art, ability, strategy, or tactic employed by the player to affect in some way the outcome of the game played on a bona fide coin operated amusement machine as defined in paragraph (2) of Code Section 48-17-1. If a player can take no action to affect the outcome of the game, the bona fide coin operated amusement machine does not meet the "some skill" requirement of this Code section.

(b) Nothing in this part shall apply to a coin operated game or device designed and manufactured for bona fide amusement purposes only which may by application of some skill entitle the player to earn replays of the game or device at no additional cost and to discharge the accumulated free replays only by reactivating the game or device for each accumulated free replay or by reactivating the game or device for a portion or all of the accumulated free plays in a single play. This subsection shall not apply, however, to any game or device classified by the United States government as requiring a federal gaming tax stamp under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or any item described as a gambling device in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (2) of Code Section 16-12-20.

(c)(1) Nothing in this part shall apply to a crane game machine or device meeting the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection.

(2) A crane game machine or device acceptable for the purposes of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall meet the following requirements:

(A) The machine or device must be designed and manufactured only for bona fide amusement purposes and must involve at least some skill in its operation;

(B) The machine or device must reward a winning player exclusively with free replays or merchandise contained within the machine itself and such merchandise must be limited to noncash merchandise, prizes, toys, gift certificates, or novelties, each of which has a wholesale value not exceeding $5.00. A player may be rewarded with both free replays and noncash merchandise, prizes, toys, or novelties for a single play of the game or device as provided in this Code section;

(C) The player of the machine or device must be able to control the timing of the use of the claw or grasping device to attempt to pick up or grasp a prize, toy, or novelty;

(D) The player of the machine or device must be made aware of the total time which the machine or device allows during a game for the player to maneuver the claw or grasping device into a position to attempt to pick up or grasp a prize, toy, or novelty;

(E) The claw or grasping device must not be of a size, design, or shape that prohibits picking up or grasping a prize, toy, or novelty contained within the machine or device; and

(F) The machine or device must not be classified by the United States government as requiring a federal gaming stamp under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

(d)(1) Nothing in this part shall apply to a coin operated game or device designed and manufactured only for bona fide amusement purposes which involves some skill in its operation if it rewards the player exclusively with:

(A) Free replays;

(B) Merchandise limited to noncash merchandise, prizes, toys, gift certificates, or novelties, each of which has a wholesale value of not more than $5.00 received for a single play of the game or device;

(C) Points, tokens, vouchers, tickets, or other evidence of winnings which may be exchanged for rewards set out in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph or subparagraph (B) of this paragraph or a combination of rewards set out in subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (B) of this paragraph; or

(D) Any combination of rewards set out in two or more of subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of this paragraph.

This subsection shall not apply, however, to any game or device classified by the United States government as requiring a federal gaming stamp under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or any item described as a gambling device in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (2) of Code Section 16-12-20.

(2) A player of bona fide coin operated amusement games or devices described in paragraph (1) of this subsection may accumulate winnings for the successful play of such bona fide coin operated amusement games or devices through tokens, vouchers, points, or tickets. Points may be accrued on the machine or device. A player may carry over points on one play to subsequent plays. A player may redeem accumulated tokens, vouchers, or tickets for noncash merchandise, prizes, toys, gift certificates, or novelties so long as the amount of tokens, vouchers, or tickets received does not exceed $5.00 for a single play.

(e) Any person who gives to any other person money for free replays on coin operated games or devices described in subsection (b), (c), or (d) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(f) Any person owning or possessing an amusement game or device described in subsection (c) or (d) of this Code section or any person employed by or acting on behalf of any such person who gives to any other person money for any noncash merchandise, prize, toy, gift certificate, or novelty received as a reward in playing any such amusement game or device shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(g) Any person owning or possessing an amusement game or device described in subsection (b), (c), or (d) of this Code section or any person employed by or acting on behalf of any such person who gives to any other person money as a reward for the successful play or winning of any such amusement game or device shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.

(h) Any gift certificates, tokens, vouchers, tickets, or other evidence of winnings awarded under subsection (c) or (d) of this Code section must be redeemable only at the premises on which the game or device is located. It shall be unlawful for any person to provide to any other person as a reward for play on any such game or device any gift certificate, token, voucher, ticket, or other evidence of winning which is redeemable or exchangeable for any thing of value at any other premises. It shall be unlawful for any person at any premises other than those on which the game or device is located to give any thing of value to any other person for any gift certificate, token, voucher, ticket, or other evidence of winning received by such other person from play on such game or device. Any person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.

(i) The merchandise, prizes, toys, gift certificates, novelties, or rewards which may be awarded under subsection (c) or (d) of this Code section may not include or be redeemable or exchangeable for any firearms, alcohol, or tobacco or any lottery ticket or other item enabling participation in any lottery. Any person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.

16-12-36.

(a) A promotional or giveaway contest which conforms with the qualifications of a lawful promotion specified in paragraph (16) of subsection (b) of Code Section 10-1-393 shall not be a lottery.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section, all promotions or promotional contests involving an element of chance in the distribution of prizes, gifts, awards, or other items which otherwise meet the definition of a "lottery" in this article shall be included within the definition of the term "lottery" for purposes of this article, unless specifically exempted by some other statute or law.

16-12-38.

 Pyramid promotional schemes; prohibition; exceptions; penalties

   (a) As used in this Code section, the term:

   (1) "Compensation " means a payment of any money, thing of value, or financial benefit.

   (2) "Consideration " means the payment of cash or the purchase of goods, services, or intangible property, and does not include the purchase of goods or services furnished at cost to be used in making sales and not for resale, or time and effort spent in pursuit of sales or recruiting activities.

(3) "Inventory " includes both goods and services, including company produced promotional materials, sales aids, and sales kits that the plan or operation requires independent salespersons to purchase.

(4) "Inventory loading " means that the plan or operation requires or encourages its independent salespersons to purchase inventory in an amount which unreasonably exceeds that which the salesperson can expect to resell for ultimate consumption or to use or consume in a reasonable time period.

(5) "Participant" means a person who joins a plan or operation.

(6) "Person" means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, or any association or unincorporated organization.

(7) "Promote " means to contrive, prepare, establish, plan, operate, advertise, or to otherwise induce or attempt to induce another person to be a participant.

(8) "Pyramid promotional scheme " means any plan or operation in which a participant gives consideration for the right to receive compensation that is derived primarily from the recruitment of other persons as participants into the plan or operation rather than from the sale of goods, services, or intangible property to participants or by participants to others.

(b)(1) No person may establish, promote, operate, or participate in any pyramid promotional scheme. A limitation as to the number of persons who may participate or the presence of additional conditions affecting eligibility for the opportunity to receive compensation under the plan does not change the identity of the plan as a pyramid promotional scheme. It is not a defense under this subsection that a person, on giving consideration, obtains goods, services, or intangible property in addition to the right to receive compensation.

(2) Nothing in this Code section may be construed to prohibit a plan or operation, or to define a plan or operation as a pyramid promotional scheme, based on the fact that participants in the plan or operation give consideration in return for the right to receive compensation based upon purchases of goods, services, or intangible property by participants for personal use, consumption, or resale so long as the plan or operation does not promote or induce inventory loading and complies with the cancellation requirements of subsection (d) of Code Section 10-1-415.

(3) Any person who participates in a pyramid promotional scheme shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. Any person who establishes, promotes, or operates a pyramid promotional scheme shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years.

(4) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed so as to include a "multilevel distribution company ," as defined in paragraph (6) of Code Section 10-1-410, which is operating in compliance with Part 3 of Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title10

16-12-51.

As used in this part, the term:

(1) "Bingo game" or "nonprofit bingo game" means a game of chance played on cards with numbered squares in which counters or indicators are placed on numbers chosen by lot and won by covering a previously specified number or order of numbered squares. A bingo game may be played manually or with an electronic or computer device that stores the numbers from a player's card or cards, tracks the numbers chosen by lot when such numbers are entered by the player, and notifies the player of a winning combination. Such words, terms, or phrases, as used in this paragraph, shall be strictly construed to include only the series of acts generally defined as bingo and shall exclude all other activity.

(2) "Bingo session" means a time period during which bingo games are played.

(3) "Director" means the director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

(4) "Operate," "operated," or "operating" means the direction, supervision, management, operation, control, or guidance of activity.

(5) "Recreational bingo" means a bingo session operated by any person or entity at no charge to participants in which the prizes for each bingo game during the bingo session shall be noncash prizes and the total of such prizes for each such game shall not exceed the amount established pursuant to regulations established by the director. No such noncash prize awarded in recreational bingo shall be exchanged or redeemed for money or for any other prize with a value in excess of the amount established pursuant to regulations established by the director. Recreational bingo shall also include a bingo session operated by a nonprofit, tax-exempt licensed operator of bingo games at no charge to participants in which the participants are senior citizens attending a function at a facility of the tax-exempt licensed organization or are residents of nursing homes, retirement homes, senior centers, or hospitals and in which the prizes for each bingo game during the bingo session shall be nominal cash prizes not to exceed $5.00 for any single prize and the total of such prizes for each such game shall not exceed the amount established pursuant to regulations established by the director. Recreational bingo shall also include a bingo session operated by an employer with ten or more full-time employees for the purposes of providing a safe workplace incentive and in which the prizes are determined by the employer; provided, however, that no monetary consideration is required by any participant other than the employer and the employer expressly prohibits any monetary consideration from any employee. Recreational bingo shall not be considered a lottery as defined in paragraph (4) of Code Section 16-12-20 or a form of gambling as defined in Code Section 16-12-21.