Georgia Casinos & Gambling
You will find a complete casino & gambling guide here: Georgia Casino Cruises.
or visit the gambling forum at Georgia Casinos - there is also a list of casino cruiseships in Georgia here.
Throughout Georgia?s modern history, gambling has always been deemed an illegal action in this southern state. Of these gambling activities, only three are classified as legitimate by Georgia?s constitution: bingo, the state-lottery and raffles.
However, in 2004, the arrival of the first riverboat casino in Georgia (Millionaire's Casino) was a welcome event, paving the way for the creation of 250 new jobs in the state. Why was this riverboat casino allowed to dock in the harbors of Georgia, particularly in Savannah, and still be considered legitimate? The answer is simple. Because Millionaire?s Casino was a gambling cruise ship, which sailed in ?international waters?. And because of this loophole of the law, Millionaire?s Casino was not tied down to any land regulations set by the state. After a full one and a half years of successful operations, this gambling cruise ship eventually left Georgia in May 2005.
On the same month Millionaire?s Casino left, a second gambling cruise ship, the Diamond Girl, arrived in the waters of Georgia and is currently the casino hot spot in the state. Aboard Diamond Girl, visitors can play a variety of games like craps, roulette and blackjack. Among its many features, the Diamond Girl has 200 slots, 15 table games and also includes a full kitchen and hospitality staff.
Across another county, in Brunswick, is the casino cruise ship the Emerald Princess. This casino houses about 130 slots, 11 table games, and has one restaurant, which has proven to be extremely popular with its visitors. The Emerald Princess offers day and evening cruises, as well as live entertainment shows, which take place on each cruise. Comfortable accommodation s is also conveniently available in these casinos.
Back on land however, a debate is constantly brewing over proponents of legalized gambling versus anti-gambling movements. The issue: video poker machines. Video poker machines have been declared illegal by the state of Georgia since July of 2002. But while many of these machines are mushrooming in amusement parks and malls, these gambling devices are under strict regulations, prohibited to give out cash payments, and are only allowed to award prizes with low value of up to five dollars worth. This regulation is otherwise known as The Chuck-E-Cheese Law.
In the comforts of their homes, many residents spend time playing cards among friends and family. While not exactly one of the three declared legitimate gambling activities, there are in fact, several gambling card clubs in the state of Georgia. This type of activity is actually more popular than casinos. These games however are only recreational activities. Georgia statutes still uphold that anyone caught betting, soliciting and making a profit out of these recreational activities will be fined for a misdemeanor.
The state of Georgia operates very popular lottery games where proceeds go to charitable foundations, to state developments or government scholarships. Equally popular are raffles and non-profit bingos, all in the name of recreational activity.
All forms of pari-mutuel betting are also prohibited in this state and any attempts to introduce horse racing bills have failed to materialize in the legislature.
Casino / Gaming Lodging Info
Emerald Princess Dinner & Casino Cruise
1 Gisco Point Drive
Brunswick, Georgia
Website ? http://www.emeraldprincesscasino.com
General Information - 912-265-3558
Diamond Casino
8010 US Highway 80 East
Whitemarsh Island
Savannah, Georgia 31410
United States
Toll Free - 877-7-LUCKY-7
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