{"id":5501,"date":"2023-01-31T17:11:34","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T17:11:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/?page_id=5501"},"modified":"2024-02-15T15:46:03","modified_gmt":"2024-02-15T15:46:03","slug":"legal","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/top-10-us-poker-sites\/georgia\/legal","title":{"rendered":"Legal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you think of Georgia, gambling surely isn\u2019t the first thing that comes to mind. The Peach State does not have a single land-based casino, and most other forms of gambling are prohibited. Online gaming sits in a semi-gray area,<\/b> and even live poker is limited through charitable venues and \u201cbar poker\u201d establishments.<\/p>\n

That said, there are ways to enjoy the most popular card game in Georgia for real cash<\/b>. Better still, you don\u2019t have to move a muscle as you can play poker online via offshore poker rooms. Our guide will provide you with the best sites for online poker in Georgia and explain whether playing on these platforms can get you into legal trouble.<\/p>\n

<\/i> Is Online Poker Legal in Georgia?<\/span><\/h2>\nIn Georgia, gambling prohibitions are clearly defined in statutes.\n

The Georgia Code specifies which forms of gambling are illegal in sections 16-12-21(a)(3), and one might argue that this includes online poker.<\/b><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the key excerpt to consider:<\/p>\n

\u201cA person commits the offense of gambling when he plays and bets for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, or balls.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

If individuals violate this law, they will be liable for a misdemeanor.<\/p>\n

Even though this penalty should not be dismissed, it\u2019s highly unlikely that GA authorities are eager to pursue someone who plays online poker on an offshore website<\/b>. What\u2019s more, the law does not explicitly ban online poker, allowing for arguments against its coverage.<\/p>\n

Online bets can be subject to gambling legislation, but that\u2019s open to interpretation. To be on the safe side, it is a good idea to consult a lawyer or a legal expert before playing online poker.<\/p>\n

As for the act of playing on offshore gaming sites, GA lawmakers generally take a wink-and-nod approach and focus more on cracking down on operators. Even so, since these brands are licensed in non-US jurisdictions, the American government has few legal grounds for prosecuting them.<\/b><\/p>\n

Furthermore, the UIGEA and the Wire Act are often cited as laws criminalizing online poker in many states without a legal market. Still, both of these laws target operators, not players.<\/p>\n

Overall, online poker is in legal limbo in Georgia \u2014 neither permitted nor prohibited.<\/p>\n

Poker laws<\/h3>\n

\"Law\"Below is the main legal framework that pertains to gambling in general and may apply to online poker.<\/p>\n