Gambling in GA... (Atlanta, Savannah: hotel, home, conservative)

[Babeejulss]

Is Gambling legal in GA? Do they have casinos or any type of Bingo or Poker? Just wondering..

Julie

[atlantagreg30127]

We have a lottery but that's it. There are no official indian reservations with casinos in the state or anything like that.

While Atlanta is mixed politically, overall the state of Georgia is very conservative (deep south, Republican, conservative Southern Baptist, yadda yadda...). It took forever just to get a lottery passed a ways back and even then it only barely passed. Every time someone brings up the idea of legalizing gambling the thumpers immediately bring out the guns, saying that hundreds of thousands of children will lie starving in the streets as their parents spend food money at a casino.

Also, video gaming machines that pay out in cash are illegal. The exist, but in "back rooms" of places and the police are constantly raiding these places and shutting them down (apparently all crack dealers are off the streets, so we're SAFE from video gaming now, too).

At one time there was a boat or two that left the port in Savannah, and once it got out far enough into "international waters" it opened up a casino, but I'm not sure if it's still around or not. Click HERE for the link to the page with their names, but again, I'm not sure how old it is. The nearest "real" casino is Harrah's in Cherokee, NC on the reservation there. Read up on that HERE.

[Babeejulss]

Thanks Greg for the info. I was just wondering because we have Casino's popping up everywhere in FL.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by Babeejulss

Thanks Greg for the info. I was just wondering because we have Casino's popping up everywhere in FL.

For years they've talked about trying to get bills passed that would legalize gambling at Underground Atlanta in downtown Atlanta, but I say it has a slim chance of ever passing. Our current and recently past city leadership isn't that bright, and the police can't even handle the bum and vagrant problem surrounding the Underground complex now - much less handle the increase of people (a few shady) who would enter the area if casinos were there.

If Atlanta gets gambling, it'll be 20+ years before it happens. There's a greater chance of seeing a casino one day on River Street in Savannah than downtown Atlanta.