In Georgia, the legal landscape surrounding land-based sportsbooks presents a complex framework governed by state regulations. Currently, residents and visitors aren’t permitted to engage in Georgia sports betting activities within the physical confines of licensed betting locations. Georgia’s gambling laws don’t cover offshore sportsbooks. As such, it is possible to wager on legal sports betting once you are “out of state” in Georgia.
Because of the way Georgia’s gambling laws are structured, only the state lottery is deemed legal, not Georgia land-based sportsbooks. However, it is possible to bet on sports when visiting riverboat and cruise ship venues, as they operate offshore and don’t constitute B&M sportsbooks in Georgia. There is just one option in Georgia for residents who fancy wagering on sports and we’ve detailed that for you below.
Address: 101 Emerald Princess Drive, Brunswick
Phone: (912) 265-3558
Opened in 1997, the Emerald Princess Casino II in Brunswick, Georgia, is an expansive sportsbook that spans over 200 feet. The Georgia sportsbook and cruise ship casino accepts a variety of sports bets, ranging from basketball and football to more niche sports like rugby and cricket. This wide array of options gives you the freedom to wager on your favorite sports and explore new ones in a state where Georgia sports betting isn’t ordinarily permitted.
The Emerald Princess Casino II offers a multitude of betting options, including moneyline bets, point spreads, and over/under bets. The sportsbook enhances your betting experience by showing live sports, keeping you in the loop of all the action. Additionally, they offer services like betting advice and guides to assist you in making the most informed bets.
Alongside the sportsbook, the Emerald Princess Casino II boasts a casino with over 220 slot machines and 12 table games. The casino offers a mix of classic and modern games, including Blackjack, Roulette, and Poker. This wide selection ensures that there’s a game for every kind of player, whether you’re a seasoned gambler or a newcomer.
As a cruise ship casino, the Emerald Princess II naturally allows you to enjoy a meal or a drink at one of the two dining establishments on board. The Bistro Deck offers a range of meals, while the Observation Bar serves a variety of drinks. In addition to these, the Emerald Princess Casino II offers amenities like an ATM, a gift shop, and a dance floor, making your visit a complete entertainment experience.
As touched on, if you’re into Georgia sports betting, it’s essential to know where you can place your bets legally, and there is only one venue open to you. Here is the information you need to know:
| Name | Address | City | Phone Number |
| Emerald Princess Casino II | 101 Emerald Princess Dr | Brunswick | (912) 265-3558 |
While horse racing occurs in Georgia, and the state is home to over twenty-four racetracks, all forms of sports betting are typically illegal in Georgia. Even pari-mutuel betting on horse and greyhound races is not available to residents of the Peach State.
Georgia is not home to any casino resorts which offer sports betting. In fact, Georgia hasn’t legalized casino gambling in general. Gambling terminals can be found in a handful of stores under the supervision of the Georgia Lottery Corporation, but they do not provide Georgia sports betting options, and anything won can only be redeemed for store merchandise or lottery tickets.
George used to have two cruise ships that departed daily, providing casino and sports betting opportunities for those on board. Tradewinds went out of business in 2015, leaving the Emerald Princess Casino II the sole remaining cruise ship offering Georgia sports betting services. Here are the details you need if you fancy embarking on it:
| Name | Address |
| Emerald Princess Casino II | 101 Emerald Princess Drive, Brunswick, GA 31523 |
In Georgia, you have a plethora of sports to place your bets on. From the thrill of basketball to the strategic nuances of baseball, the excitement of football, and the high-speed action of car racing, there’s something for every sports enthusiast. Here are the primary sports you can bet on and where inside the Peach State:
Below you’ll find a list of Georgia’s most prominent professional and college sports teams. This table will serve as your guide, detailing each team’s name, the sport they play, and the league they currently compete in.
| Team Name | Sport | League |
| Atlanta Falcons | Football | NFL |
| Atlanta Hawks | Basketball | NBA |
| Atlanta United FC | Soccer | MLS |
| Atlanta Braves | Baseball | MLB |
| Atlanta Dream | Basketball | WNBA |
| Georgia Bulldogs | Various Sports | NCAA Division I (SEC) |
| Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | Various Sports | NCAA Division I (ACC) |
| Georgia State Panthers | Various Sports | NCAA Division I (Sun Belt) |
| Georgia Southern Eagles | Various Sports | NCAA Division I (Sun Belt) |
| Mercer Bears | Various Sports | NCAA Division I (Southern Conference) |
| Kennesaw State Owls | Various Sports | NCAA Division I (Big South Conference) |
| Savannah State Tigers | Various Sports | NCAA Division II (SIAC) |
Georgia doesn’t have any federally recognized tribes, and consequently, there are no Indian gaming operations within the state. While other states have seen the establishment and growth of tribal gaming pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988, Georgia’s historical context means that it has not been part of this trend.
Several tribes originally inhabited Georgia for thousands of years. Notably, the Creek (or Muscogee) and the Cherokee were two dominant tribes that played significant roles in Georgia’s early history. These tribes established complex societies with advanced agricultural practices, trade networks, and societal structures. Following forced migration and the Trail of Tears, there are no federally recognized tribes based in Georgia today.
Gambling addiction is a serious issue that can lead to significant personal and financial problems. In Georgia, there are several services available to help individuals struggling with this addiction.
| Service | Address | Phone Contact |
| Georgia Council on Problem Gambling | 5105-D Paulsen Street, Savannah, GA 31405 | (800) 522-4700 |
| Emory Addiction Center | 12 Executive Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 | (404) 712-6929 |
| Road to Recovery | 3155 Presidential Drive Suite 104, Atlanta, GA 30340 | (770) 220-2885 |
| Talbott Recovery | 5448 Yorktowne Drive, Atlanta, GA 30349 | (678) 251-3189 |
In Georgia, navigating the realm of sports betting taxes can be complex. It’s important to note that residents are indeed required to pay taxes on their winnings, even if gambling isn’t strictly legal outside of the lottery. This obligation holds true regardless of the amount won or the type of gambling engaged in – legal or otherwise.
When you’ve had a successful run with sports betting in Georgia, reporting your winnings to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is a crucial step. First, you’ll need to itemize your winnings on Form 1040, under the ‘Other Income’ section.
In Georgia, your sports betting winnings are subject to both federal (up to 37%) and state (5.75%) taxes. This includes money won from sports betting.
On your tax return, report your total winnings on line 21 of Form 1040 as ‘Other Income.’ For your Georgia state taxes, include your gambling winnings on your GA500 form. More information is available in our online gambling tax guide.
Document all of your winnings and losses, including dates, types of gambling activities, and the names and addresses of places where you gambled. You should also keep receipts, tickets, or other transaction documents. These records will help you accurately report your earnings and losses on your federal and state tax returns.
You must report all your winnings, regardless of the amount, on your federal and state income tax returns. For federal taxes, report your total winnings on line 21 of Form 1040. When filing your Georgia state taxes, include your gambling winnings on your GA500 form, as mentioned above.
Engaging in responsible reporting of your sports betting winnings is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it’s a legal requirement in Georgia, and failing to report accurately can lead to penalties, including fines or even criminal charges. Secondly, it ensures you pay the correct amount of tax, avoiding potential issues with underpayment or overpayment. Lastly, maintaining accurate records can also help you track your betting habits and manage your gambling responsibly.
There are other online gambling options in Georgia for you, and you can feel free to explore our these using our links below:
Sports betting is not yet legal in the state of Georgia. Legislation has been proposed, but no law has been passed to officially legalize Georgia sportsbooks. Offshore sports betting is possible via cruise ship casinos.
Your options are limited because there is only one venue (a cruise ship casino) offering them. However, all the major leagues and college sports betting options are generally provided for.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) are considered legal in Georgia. Companies like DraftKings and FanDuel accept players from Georgia (albeit online). However, it’s always a good idea to check the DFS platform to ensure compliance with any changes or updates.
If you prefer the traditional betting experience, the cruise ship casino featured on this page is a good choice. Otherwise, you can head to an out-of-state sportsbook, and we highly recommend exploring our top picks for online US sportsbooks. Our selections are among the safest sportsbooks you can find online.
Online poker is not legal or regulated in Georgia. However, if you’re interested in playing, we encourage you to explore our carefully selected list of the best online poker rooms that Georgia residents can access.
Horse race betting is not legal in the state of Georgia. This is despite the Peach State having over two dozen horse racetracks.
This federal law effectively banned sports betting in almost all US states, including Georgia. When PASPA was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2018, it allowed every state to decide its own sports betting laws, and subsequently, there are now gambling laws for each US state. Georgia has not yet legalized sports betting despite having the freedom to do so.
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