Can You Play Online Poker in Georgia?

No, you cannot play poker online legally in Georgia. Poker and other forms of online gambling are yet to be legalized within the state. While it is still possible to play for fun on social or sweepstakes sites, playing online for real money is still prohibited. Poker fans who want to play online in Georgia will have to seek other viable alternatives to enjoy their favorite card game online. 

Why Not? What Are the Online Poker Laws in Georgia?

Georgia online poker is yet to be legalized. There are no laws in the books that specifically legalized playing poker online within the state. In fact, neither in-person nor live poker is currently legal in Georgia, which makes it impossible for poker enthusiasts to enjoy playing the game for real rewards within the shores of the state. Even a bill to legalize online sportsbooks to boost state revenue, which was proposed in 2021, failed to pass. 

Despite these restrictions, players who want to play poker online in Georgia can explore offshore gambling sites, which operate in legal gray areas. However, doing so carries inherent risks. 

Offshore sites are gambling sites registered and operating outside the United States. Since these sites are online, they receive registrations from all over the world including from Georgia. 

Although this option is a workaround for Georgia online poker, MyPokerCoaching does not recommend playing on these sites. As a Georgia resident playing on offshore sites, there are no guarantees that you’ll recover your winnings.

Also, since these platforms are not regulated by US authorities, there is no assurance of fair play or the safety of your funds and personal information. Players in the United States may also have trouble reporting fraudulent activities on these platforms if they ever occur. 

Potential Georgia Poker Sites to Launch in the Future

Poker has been popular in Georgia for many years, but the state is still to regulate online poker sites. There have been several attempts at it over the years, but so far, none have come to fruition.

It is a pretty safe bet that online poker in GA will be regulated at some point in the future, so the only real question is when. While it’s hard to give any definitive answer at this point in time, we continue to monitor the situation and will keep you updated with any important developments.

When online poker is finally legal in GA, there are a few sites that we can expect to go live. These are all operators with a major presence in the regulated US market, and they’ll likely jump at the opportunity to expand their presence.

BetMGM Poker Georgia

BetMGM has established itself as a household name in the regulated US online poker space, and the operator will likely be among the first to stake a claim in such an attractive new market.

We expect BetMGM Poker will bring out a platform similar to that in other states like PA, MI, and NJ. A poker client powered by the PartyPoker technology offers a modern and very reliable solution for all online poker fans, even if it is not as rich in functionalities as some other platforms.

In terms of game variety, players can look forward to a nice mix of online tournaments, a wide range of cash game stakes, and, in all likelihood, BetMGM Poker’s staple SPINS – a hugely popular sit & go variation featuring a random jackpot.

It is also likely that BetMGM Poker GA will come out of the gate swinging, offering a generous welcome bonus. With what’s likely to be heavy competition in the state, all sites will look for ways to stand out, and this is generally a good thing for the players.

PokerStars Georgia

Although the company couldn’t enter the US before 2016, PokerStars has established itself as a staple name of online poker in the country, just like they have done in the global market.

Once the regulation is finally passed, the launch of PokerStars is pretty much a guarantee. This is especially true if the state passes a law with the expectation of joining the MSIGA, as the operator seems eager to take advantage of opportunities provided by interstate poker.

But even without that particular element, GA is a big enough market on its own.

What PokerStars brings to the table is the operator’s experience in organizing major online series, first and foremost. US versions of ‘COOP events have been hugely successful in all states where the site currently has a presence, and there is no reason to think Georgia would be an exception.

PokerStars also offers one of the best software solutions for desktop computers and mobile devices alike. This enhances the player experience and certainly helps push the site towards the top of the list when deciding where to play.

WSOP Georgia

The third GA poker site likely to go live as soon as legal requirements are met is WSOP.com. Right now, WSOP is the only operator present in all regulated US markets with active poker sites, and the company is on the constant lookout for expansion opportunities.

WSOP.com has one trump card that no other operators can match, which is its ability to host bracelet-awarding events and exclusive satellites to live World Series of Poker tournaments. This has helped the operator remain competitive across the country.

A launch in a new state would likely mean an exclusive bracelet series, giving players in the state great opportunities to win some WSOP silverware from the comfort of their home, and if past experience is any indicator, this is an opportunity that players jump on.

WSOP should have no problem claiming its fair share of the new market despite competitors, with the operators’ numbers surging during major live and online events.