Best Georgia Online Casinos

Playing at an online casino can be hit or miss if you haven’t done your research. You need to ensure the casino you’re playing at is a reputable and trustworthy gaming platform. That’s why we have outlined some elements that an online casino should follow in order to become one of the best online casinos. These elements include licensing and security measures, compatibility, banking, customer support, game selection and of course, bonuses.

When it comes to online casinos, players in the US have different options depending on which state they live in. This is because each state has state laws that can legalize or ban online gambling, regardless of the neighboring state law. As such, players can play at either US-licenses online casinos or offshore online casinos. To understand which options are available to Georgian players, we must first look at the history of gambling in Georgia and how it has influenced laws today.

Federal and State Gambling Laws

To understand Georgia’s stance on gambling, it’s essential for players first to understand the Federal laws. Historically, three federal laws have impacted state gambling laws, two of which are still applicable today.

The PASPA of 1992 (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) had illegalized sports betting across the US. Although it was declared unconstitutional in 2018, the law still impacts some state gambling laws on sports betting. Similar to the PASPA is the Interstate Federal Wire Act passed in 1961, which banned all interstate sports betting. This law is still around today and limits sports betting to each state.

The most recent federal law is about online gambling. The UIGEA (standing for Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) was put forward and passed in 2006. It specifically banned any financial transactions with online gambling service providers. However, it didn’t actually declare online gambling illegal. This law saw many offshore casinos to declare no US players are allowed at their online casino.

Georgia State Gambling Laws

Unlike several other states, Georgia has always had a more conservative approach to gambling. This pertains to land-based casinos, racetracks or online casinos. Since the 1800s, the only form of gambling allowed was the southern lotteries. Even then, the state banned those lotteries as well in 1876. From 1876 to 1977, the state outlawed all forms of gambling. It was only in 1978 that bingo and charity raffles became legal, albeit with heavy restrictions and licensing required.

In 1993, Georgia legalized the state lottery, but unfortunately, other forms of gambling remained outlawed. The crackdown on gambling became more heated when South Caroline banned video poker machines in 1999. Most of these machines were then smuggled to Georgia. This caused Georgia to ban video poker machines in 2002 and no new gambling has been allowed since.

In 2011, Georgia cracked down on quasi-casinos such as internet cafes. These and other hidden establishments were used to gamble. This caused a vote to be put forward stating that a casino could provide funding for education, but ultimately, it didn’t pass. However, seeing as the vote was close to being passed, there’s still a chance that Georgia might legalize gambling.

Of course, the ban on gambling in Georgia also extends to online gambling. With online gambling being illegal in Georgia, no US-licensed casinos are allowed to operate in the state. This means that Georgian players must use offshore-licensed online casinos to play at an online casino.

How to Identify the Best Georgia Online Casino

While online gambling is illegal in Georgia, offshore casinos are allowed. We must ensure, as with any online casino, that the platform is trustworthy and reputable before signing up. We have outlined several aspects that we use to ensure the online casino is safe to play at.

Licensing, Regulation and Security

Arguably the most critical factor to consider with an online casino is whether it’s licensed. If a casino is licensed, the casino is also regulated by an independent third-party gaming authority. This gaming authority ensures the casino complies with all legislation and regulations and that you have access to a fair online gaming platform.

Players in Georgia have access to multiple offshore online casinos. Reputable offshore licensing authorities like the United Kingdom Gambling Commission license them. The Curacao eGaming, Malta Gaming Authority, Gibraltar, Kahnawake and Panama licenses are also well-known authorities. You will often find casinos licensed by them available in Georgia. The licenses are all regulated by the corresponding gaming authority. 

To further prove a Georgia online casino is safe and secure, they should use a testing agency to test the fairness of the games. A testing agency is a third party that tests the RNG (Random Number Generator) of the games and the RTP (Return to Player) percentage. It ensures casino games aren’t rigged and a fair gaming experience.

Most online casinos also have a KYC (Know Your Client) policy. Players have to provide certain information and documentation to prove their identities. The latest SSL encryption protects this information. These are all ways for casinos to ensure they are trustworthy to play at.

Compatibility and Accessibility

If you’re going to play at an online casino, the casino needs to be compatible with all devices and easily accessible. Most web-based online casinos are compatible with mobile, tablet, or desktop gaming, using HTML5 elements to ensure the website runs smoothly. This means you can play games from any device with an internet connection while on the go.

Some casinos go a step further and offer mobile app players can download from the App Store or the Google Play Store. This allows you to bypass having to search the casino website. The app should offer a similar experience to the web-based casino. While not having an app, some casinos will offer quick access software that you can download from the website to your mobile, tablet or laptop.

When playing at an online casino, the gaming platform is the first impression the online casino gives you. The design should be visually appealing and a user-friendly interface should be available. This includes offering navigation bars, clearly visible buttons, a search tab and more to players. 

Banking Methods

If you want to play with real money, then the banking methods offered to you are a significant factor to consider. Not all banking methods are available in Georgia, so we checked which ones are available when signing up. Online casinos will offer methods including cards, Bitcoin, Neteller, Skrill, Online Banking, EcoPayz and PaySafeCard to players. While the most convenient payment method for Georgia citizens can be seen as PayPal, not all international casinos offer it.

Cryptocurrency is another method offered by many online casinos. This is convenient if you don’t have access to other methods and if the casino doesn’t offer your currency upon registration.

When looking at the banking methods, we also check if any transaction fees are charged on deposits and withdrawals and the payout speeds. The industry expected payout speeds are generally up to five days for cards, up to three days for e-wallets, up to seven days for bank transfers and within 24 hours for cryptocurrencies.

Customer Service and Support

Since online casinos don’t have physical location players can access for any complaints, their customer support becomes even more important. We believe it’s best if you have access to 24/7 customer support, whether it’s via a live chat, phone line or email. Live chat is the best and usually fastest way to contact an online casinos support team and we ensured they are multilingual and effective when giving support.

The Georgia online casino should also offer a formal complaint submission form for players who have a complaint or want to report the casino. Generally, this complaint submission would be to the regulating authority instead of the casino, ensuring it won’t be ignored.

It’s also best if the online casino has a good FAQ section that is well-organized and extensive. This ensures that you can find the most answers to basic questions yourself without contacting support. It allows for a more smooth gaming experience and shows the casino cares about its players. The same can be applied to how-to guides, where an online casino either has a step-by-step tutorial or videos showing players how to play games.

Game Selection and Size

One of the benefits of playing at an online casino is that they have the ability to offer hundreds, if not thousands, of casino games. This includes all the different varieties of slots, such as classic slots, 3D slots, video slots and more and different table games. Baccarat, Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and Video Poker are just some examples of exciting, popular table games offered.

There should also be a live casino section that offers games featuring live dealers and game shows. This can mean that live Baccarat, Blackjack, Poker and Roulette sites are available to you, with several tables that can be joined. If a casino wants to go the extra mile to be considered one of the best Georgia casinos, they will also offer sports betting, Bingo and Keno/Lottery.

One element we are on the lookout for is if the online casinos offer demo play or no registration play. This refers to when you can play games for free without registering at the casino. This allows you to get a feel for the gaming platform and whether you enjoy a game or not.

Bonuses and Promotions

When playing at an online casino, every player looks for the best bonuses and promotions. The clear incentive for players to sign up and play at a specific casino and bonuses should be alluring and make the gameplay easier or more enjoyable. This includes offering a welcome bonus to new players, consisting either of a no deposit bonus upon signup, free spins or a first deposit bonus.

The first deposit bonus can be between 100% and 500% of the deposit and can also span over several deposits, creating a multilayer bonus. We checked the wagering requirements, minimum deposit and any other restrictions or requirements to not be too high.

Other bonuses should be offered that encourage you to keep playing at the casino. This can be loyalty programs such as VIP tiers or a cashback program. It can also include promotions like Game of the Month and tournaments offered. Daily bonuses are a great way to ensure you have a slight advantage when playing every day and make the gameplay more enjoyable. Overall, the best Georgia online casino will ensure you have multiple bonuses and promotions to choose from.

FAQs

Is it legal for me to play at an online casino in Georgia?

While there are no laws against playing at an online casino in Georgia, there aren’t any laws allowing it, making it a grey area. However, it is safe to use offshore casinos, which we highly recommend..

Are online casinos legal in Georgia?

While it’s not legal to have an online casino with its servers based in Georgia, there are no laws against offshore casinos. As long as the online casino servers aren’t in Georgia, it’s completely fine to play at it.

Can I play for real money at a Georgia online casino?

Yes, the offshore casinos allow you to both plays with real money and win real money. It’s essential to see what deposit and withdrawal methods are available to you, though, before you start depositing.

Signing up at a Georgia Online Casino

With the above criteria as our guidelines, it’s easy to identify the best Georgia online casino. As long as it holds an offshore license, is easily accessible, has multiple banking methods and customer support options and offers a variety of games and bonuses, it’s safe to play at. There are several of the best online casinos available and you can see which one best suits your playing style. When looking at the signup bonuses, consider what you want to achieve playing at this casino and choose one where the bonus makes that goal easier to achieve.

While US-licensed casinos aren’t available to Georgia players, you don’t need to worry. Offshore casinos offer a great gaming experience overall that won’t lose out to any other.