Bingo in Georgia: Laws, Halls & Online Bingo (2026 Guide)

Is bingo legal in Georgia?

Yes, as a fundraiser. Georgia’s bingo law (O.C.G.A. § 16-12-50 and the sections after it) lets nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations run bingo, but only after the Secretary of State issues them a license.

That makes Georgia one of the more restrictive states in the Southeast. There are no commercial casinos, no tribal casinos and no lottery-run bingo. The bingo you’ll find is the church, school, VFW and civic-club variety, plus exempt “recreational” games at places like senior centers.

Licensing moved in 2021. Before HB 410, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation handled bingo applications. The law transferred that job to the Secretary of State, whose Office of Charity Bingo now issues licenses and settles disputes over what counts as bingo.

How old do you have to be to play bingo in Georgia?

Plan on 18. Guidance for licensed games states that participants must be at least 18 years old.

Recreational games at a senior center or company picnic may be more relaxed, but if money or prizes of real value are involved, treat 18 as the floor.

Can you play online bingo for real money in Georgia?

No. Georgia has not legalized online casino games, online sports betting or internet bingo, and charity licenses cover in-person games only. Lawmakers have floated constitutional amendments for casinos and sports betting in recent sessions, but none has changed the rules for online bingo.

Sites that offer cash bingo to Georgians are not licensed by the state. See our online bingo guide for the difference between real-money, sweepstakes and free-play apps. Need help with gambling? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.

Are sweepstakes bingo sites legal in Georgia?

For now, yes in practice. Georgia has no law that bans sweepstakes casinos or sweepstakes bingo, and as of October 2026 the major operators still serve the state.

That isn’t the same as an official seal of approval. Sweepstakes sites rely on promotional-contest rules and a free way to enter, and some states have recently decided that model is really gambling. Private lawsuits against operators have been filed in parts of the South. Keep your balances small and read our sweepstakes bingo explainer before you buy coin packages.

Where can you play bingo in Georgia?

Your options are licensed charity games. Look for weekly sessions at American Legion and VFW posts, Catholic parishes, Moose and Elks lodges and volunteer fire departments, especially around metro Atlanta, Augusta and Savannah.

We have not listed individual halls because schedules change often and we could not confirm current sessions from official sources. The Office of Charity Bingo can tell you whether a group holds a valid license. If you want a casino bingo hall, you will need to cross into a neighboring state such as Florida.

How to run a charity bingo game in Georgia

Georgia’s process is short but strict. The basics:

1. Confirm you qualify. Only nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations can be licensed for regular bingo.
2. Apply to the Secretary of State. Submit the application to the Office of Charity Bingo with the $100 annual fee. You cannot hold a game until the license is issued.
3. Renew each year. Licenses are annual; renewal is due by October 31 according to compliance guidance, so check the current form.
4. Follow the session rules. State rules allow no more than one session per day, and a session cannot run longer than five hours.
5. Keep prizes within the caps (reported as $1,500 per day and $3,000 per week) and use only adult workers.
6. File your annual report. O.C.G.A. § 16-12-59 requires a report of receipts and expenses by April 15.

For prize ideas, pricing and volunteer planning, see our bingo fundraiser guide.