A significant real estate and gaming development has captured statewide attention: a major casino company has secured a $20 million option to acquire the former J.C. Penney building at the Macon Mall, contingent on future changes to Georgia law that would legalize casino gambling.
The move by Gaming & Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI), a gaming real estate firm with holdings across the United States, signals growing interest in expanding gambling options within the Peach State, even as both land-based and online GA casinos remain unauthorized at the state level.
This unfolding situation comes amid evolving public debates and accessible alternatives for residents seeking casino-style games, most notably through online platforms that accept Georgia players.
Online Casino Gaming Options in Georgia
While Georgia does not currently authorize state-regulated online casinos for real-money play, residents are not entirely shut out of the broader world of casino gaming.
Through offshore platforms licensed in jurisdictions outside the United States, Georgia players can access a broad array of online casino games that mirror the offerings of traditional land-based casinos. These include hundreds of slot titles, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, video poker, and live-dealer tables streamed in real time to users’ devices.
According to industry resources, these online casinos serve Georgia players with diverse game libraries and features:
- Slots: From classic three-reel games to modern video slots with bonus rounds and progressive jackpots, online sites typically offer extensive collections that cater to a wide range of tastes and betting levels.
- Table Games: Traditional table favorites like American and European roulette, multiple blackjack variants, baccarat, and specialty formats give players a classic casino experience.
- Live Dealer Options: For those seeking an experience closer to in-person gaming, live dealer games broadcast real tables and professional dealers directly to players’ screens, enhancing engagement and realism.
- Specialty Games: Additional formats such as keno, bingo, and online scratch cards add variety beyond the core casino staples.
Because these platforms are licensed internationally, Georgia residents can legally play real-money games so long as the operator accepts U.S. players and complies with proper licensing and security requirements.
As a result, many players turn to these options to enjoy the games they would otherwise find in a legalized, regulated environment.
Casino Legalization Push In The Peach State
The recent purchase option secured for the Macon Mall site highlights a central tension in Georgia’s gambling policy: major investors are preparing for potential legalization even as current laws prohibit both land-based casino gambling and state-regulated online gaming.
The Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority’s approval of GLPI’s option agreement demonstrates local governmental cooperation, but the deal is explicitly conditional on the state legislature and Georgia voters moving forward with a constitutional amendment to legalize casino gambling.
Under Georgia’s process for constitutional change, lawmakers would need to introduce and pass a bill in both chambers of the General Assembly, after which the proposed amendment would be placed on the ballot for voter approval. Licensing officials could draft the necessary frameworks only after that point, allowing casinos such as the proposed Macon Mall project to move forward legally.
Supporters of expanded gambling in Georgia often point to potential economic benefits, including job creation, increased tourism, and expanded tax revenues that could fund public services. Local officials in Bibb County, for example, have emphasized that positioning a major development now could accelerate revitalization efforts and attract long-term investment.
Opponents, however, raise concerns about social costs, including problem gambling and the impact on local communities. These debates are likely to intensify as the issue moves into public discourse and legislative arenas, especially if momentum builds for a statewide vote.