Play Responsibly
Our Commitment to Players and the State of Georgia
The Georgia Lottery was set up as a form of entertainment and raise money for students. While millions of players enjoy our games each year, a few show signs of problem gambling. The Georgia Lottery is dedicated to protecting our players. It provides tools and info to help those seeking assistance.
The Georgia Lottery gives $400,000 a year to fight gambling addiction. This funds research, education, and treatment by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
Responsible gaming has been a key part of the Georgia Lottery since its start. Please check this page for responsible gaming tools and resources. It has contact info for confidential help. As always Georgia, play responsibly; it’s all about fun!
Most players enjoy our games responsibly. But, some may need help with problem gambling. Have you ever asked yourself, “Do I have a gambling problem?” First, know you're not alone. There are groups and resources ready to help. If you've wondered about gambling's impact on your life, please take this quick test. It may be time to get help or rethink your gambling habits.
- Have you ever spent two weeks or more thinking a lot about gambling? This includes planning future bets or finding ways to get money to gamble.
- Have you ever had to gamble more money to feel the same thrill?
- Have you ever felt restless or irritable when trying to cut back on your gambling?
- Have you failed to stop, cut down, or control your gambling three or more times?
- Have you gambled to escape problems or relieve bad feelings or depression?
- After a loss, did you often return to gambling to win back money?
- Have you lied about your gambling or losses to others at least three times?
- Have you ever stolen from friends or family, or written a bad check to fund your gambling?
- Has gambling caused serious issues in your family, friendships, work, or studies?
- Did you ever need to ask others for help with gambling-related money problems?
If you said yes to any, consider seeking help for a gambling problem.
*Note: This self-test can highlight issues, but only a professional can make a diagnosis.
There are a variety of myths surrounding lottery play. Get the facts about some of these myths and make educated decisions before you play. If you struggle with any of these factors, visit the Help and Support tab for resources available to you.
MYTH: Playing every day will increase my chances of winning.
FACT: The chances of winning on one day are the same as the chances of winning the day before. Every Georgia Lottery game is random and the amount of play does not affect the chances of winning.
MYTH: If I keep playing, my luck will change, and I’ll win back the money I’ve lost.
FACT: This is referred to as chasing losses. This does not increase your chances of winning. Because each game is random, the odds do not change based on the amount of money you’ve spent. Doing so often leads to developing an unhealthy relationship with gambling.
MYTH: A "near miss" indicates you were about to win.
FACT: Outcomes are always random, every time. Increasing your play or the amount of money you play with does not increase your chances of winning.
MYTH: Player skill improves your chance of winning a lottery game.
FACT: No amount of skill will improve your odds at winning a prize from a lottery game. Outcomes are always random and determined at the beginning of the game. There is no specific way to play a game that may increase your chances of winning.
The Georgia Lottery has online tools in our Players Club to promote responsible play. Please check the tools below. They can help you play safely and responsibly.
The Players Club has two account levels. Level 1 members can enter second-chance drawings and view products online. However, to buy lottery games online, you need a Level 2 iHOPE account. Level 2 accounts have deposit limits. You can deposit $500 per day, $1,500 per week, and $5,000 per month. You can set lower limits, which is advisable. If you wish to raise your limits, a 24-hour waiting period applies. This is called the cooling-off period. So, set your limits and stick to them!
To sign up for a Level 2 account and buy lottery games online, you must verify your age and identity. This is called the Know Your Customer (KYC) process and makes sure all players are at least 18 years old.
Our online safeguards against minor play are:
- Denial of a Players Club account if an applicant’s age cannot be verified.
- Immediate account suspension for any unlawful use of a Players Club account.
- No automatic fill for account password.
- Automatic log-out after 15 minutes of inactivity.
- Refusal of prize payments if found a minor has accessed an account.
Odds for every instant ticket can be located on the back of the ticket. Odds for every Diggi or online game are listed on the 
information icon next to the game. Odds for every draw game can be located on our website under Games > Draw Games and select a game to find the odds and prizes tab. Know your odds before you play, and be an informed player!
Our website sends an hourly notification to players. It shows their playtime and asks if they want to continue. Players must click "yes" or "no." If the player does not click within 15 minutes, their session will end automatically. We encourage you to set your own time limits and stick to them! The pop-up message is designed to remind you of the time you’ve spent on the site along with the clock. The message will provide you a brief time-out.
Our Players Club shows bets, losses, and account balances as cash. This helps players see their spending and encourages responsible behavior. They can also view their transaction history, with amounts displayed in U.S. dollars, not game credits.
The Georgia Lottery uses strict geo-location technology to ensure you are in Georgia when buying lottery games online. Misrepresenting your location to play without authorization breaks the law. Specifically, it violates OCGA 16-9-90 et seq. This includes: (a) "computer trespass" under OCGA 16-9-90, which can lead to fines up to $50,000, 15 years in prison, or both; and (b) "misleading transmission and use of a name over a computer network" under OCGA 16-9-93.1, which is a misdemeanor.
The Georgia Lottery needs your name, address, birthday, and the last four digits of your social security number to confirm your identity before you can play online. It will not sell or misuse your personal information. For more details, please read our privacy policy.
For your security, our Players Club sends a pop-up every hour. It shows how long you've been on the site. It then asks if you want to keep playing or stop. If you don't respond, your session will end automatically.
Players can view all their account details in the Players Club. For instance, the GLC lets them access specific information in their history:
- Game history
- Games played/purchased
- Notification of each win
- Date and time of each ticket or game purchase
- Ticket details (number of draws, start/end date for multi-draw purchases, $ value per wager, add-ons like PowerPlay)
- Financial history
- Deposits, including wins; transfers
- Transfers out of the account (winnings only)
- Date and time of each transaction
- All screens show the account balance in cash. It updates on each refresh to reflect recent purchases.
- Deposit limits
- Maximum daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits
- Player’s set daily, weekly, and monthly deposit amounts
- Any pending limit changes (there is a 24-hour cooling-off period for limit increases)
Confidential help is available for those with gambling issues or for those who know someone with such problems. Unsure about your gambling? Check the "Understanding Problem Gambling" tab on this page. If you answered YES to more than one question, consider the resources for problem gambling. Then, pick the one that suits you best.
Problem gambling can be treated. Only a professional can diagnose a gambling problem.
Georgia Crisis and Access Line: 1-866-922-7369
The Georgia Crisis and Access Line offers confidential, local support 24/7. It's toll-free. Specialists can help you find nearby treatment. Currently, the GA Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) oversees four treatment programs in Georgia.
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG):
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) advocates for problem gamblers and their families. You can reach NCPG in three easy ways.
First, call 1-800-522-4700 for confidential support. This toll-free line is open 24/7.
Next, visit www.ncpgambling.org for resources on problem gambling.
Finally, if you prefer chatting, go to this link. Here, you can talk to a specialist without making a phone call: https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/chat/
Gamblers Anonymous:
Gamblers Anonymous offers confidential support groups for gambling issues. For details or to find a meeting, visit http://www.gamblersanonymous.org.
Gam-Anon:
Gam-Anon is a support group for the family and friends of people who have a gambling problem. Visit www.gam-anon.org for more information or to locate a meeting near you.
- Voluntary self-exclusion allows a player to pause online lottery play. They can choose to be excluded for 3, 6, 9 months, or a year. This choice is final. During this time, players can't access their iHOPE® Account or play online or on the mobile app. They will not receive Georgia Lottery emails or promotions. This program aims to help those with gambling issues by removing the urge to play online or on mobile.
- If you don't know if you have a gambling problem, please go to the “Understanding Problem Gambling” tab on this page and take the test. If you answered YES to any of the questions, you may want to look at our resources page or consider self-exclusion.
Under this agreement:- You will not be able to access your GLC Players Club Account or GLC iHOPE® Account;
- You will not be able to withdraw or deposit funds, or buy any GLC lottery games or products using your iHOPE® Account;
- You will not be able to enter any GLC second chance promotion;
- You acknowledge that you forfeit any entries you have for GLC second chance promotions;
- You will not receive any marketing communications from the GLC.
- You acknowledge that any funds remaining in your iHOPE® Account may be forfeited;
- If you do not log in to your iHOPE® Account for 60 months, any remaining funds may be subject to abandonment and forfeiture laws, including the Georgia "Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act."”
- If you follow the GLC on any social media platform, you must “unfollow” the GLC to stop receiving updates. The GLC is unable to do this for you.
- View the full Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program Terms and Agreements. If you choose to exclude yourself from online lottery play, you must have read and agreed to these terms.
- To request self-exclusion, please call the Player Information Hotline at 1-800-GA-LUCKY (1-800-425-8259).
After a player's self-exclusion period ends, they can reactivate their account. However, it's important to understand how to play safely. Check out our Tips for Playing Responsibly page. The full Reinstatement Policy is below.
This policy activates when a player, who excluded themselves from online lottery, wants to reactivate their Players Club or iHOPE® Account. First, they must wait until their exclusion period ends. This period can be 3, 6, 9, or 12 months. After that, they need to request reinstatement. If they don't, the account stays suspended.
- Actions on behalf of the player
- The player must call the Player Information Hotline at 1-800-GA-LUCKY (1-800-425-8259) to request their account be reactivated.
- The player must discuss reinstatement options on the call. This includes their account level and if they want GLC marketing emails.
- Actions on behalf of the Georgia Lottery
- The Georgia Lottery will exercise due diligence in evaluating the player’s account.
- Upon a satisfactory evaluation, the GLC will begin the process of reinstatement.
- The player's Players Club iHOPE® account will reactivate. They cannot open a new account because of a Social Security number check as part of the Know Your Customer process. This checks against those linked to active or closed accounts.
- The Georgia Lottery must finish this evaluation in about 10 business days. This allows GLC reps to conduct a thorough check. It also gives the player time to reflect on their self-exclusion and reinstatement.
- After the player's Players Club iHOPE® account is reinstated, the Georgia Lottery will inform them of their account status. It will provide access instructions and problem gambling support materials.