Updated September 29, 2026. Originally published November 25, 2023.
Georgia Class B COAMs are skill-based amusement games with restricted, noncash redemption. Conventional casino slot machines are chance-based games that can award cash or cash-redeemable credits. Similar cabinets and graphics can make them look alike, but the rules for play, prizes, and licensing are different.
At Lucky Coin, business owners often ask whether the game machines they see in Georgia convenience stores are the same as casino slots. Understanding the difference helps you explain your equipment to customers and ask the right questions before adding games to your location.
What does COAM mean in Georgia?
COAM stands for coin operated amusement machine. Georgia has two classes. Class A includes familiar amusements such as pinball, pool tables, and jukeboxes. Class B includes skill redemption games that can allow successful players to carry points from one play to another. The Georgia Lottery Corporation regulates the industry. See its official COAM overview and licensing FAQs.
This comparison focuses on Class B COAMs. If you are choosing equipment for a business, our Georgia skill games and equipment guide explains the available equipment categories.
COAMs vs. slot machines: a quick comparison
Swipe left or right to read all columns.
| Feature | Georgia Class B COAMs | Casino slots |
|---|---|---|
| Game play | Includes a skill element. | Conventional slots use chance-based outcomes. |
| Points or credits | Successful play can earn points for later play or permitted redemption. | Winning credits may be redeemed for cash. |
| Cash payouts | Not permitted. | Permitted where the casino is lawfully licensed. |
| Oversight | Georgia Lottery COAM licensing and rules. | The applicable casino gaming regulator. |
The casino comparison describes conventional slots, not every electronic casino game. For an example of how casino equipment is regulated, see the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s technical standards. A cabinet’s appearance alone does not establish what kind of game it contains.
How skill affects a COAM game
The distinction is the player’s role in the game. A Class B skill game involves a player action or decision, rather than simply presenting the result of a conventional slot spin. Read the instructions for the specific game: controls and rules differ between titles.
A skill element does not guarantee a win. Avoid treating any machine as a source of income or assuming that experience ensures a particular result. For business owners, a useful staff explanation starts with the game’s own instructions and the location’s permitted redemption process.
What can Class B COAM points be redeemed for in 2026?
From July 1, 2026, Georgia law limits Class B redemption to replays, lottery products, and nonreloadable or reloadable gift cards. Direct redemption for other products or services is no longer permitted. Gift cards cannot be exchanged for cash, change, or currency. These provisions appear in O.C.G.A. § 50-27-71.1 in the Lottery for Education Act.
Older descriptions that say points can be exchanged directly for gas or store merchandise need that distinction. A permitted gift card is a different redemption method. Confirm current implementation requirements through Georgia Lottery COAM resources before changing your location’s procedures.
Common questions about Georgia game machines
Are the “slot machines” in Georgia gas stations actually COAMs?
People sometimes use “slot machines” as shorthand for similar-looking cabinets. A licensed Class B skill redemption machine is a COAM. Its appearance or location in a gas station does not, by itself, establish that it is licensed or compliant. Ask the location about the machine and its rules.
Can Georgia COAMs pay cash?
No. Class B COAM redemption does not include cash payouts. Calling a payment a prize or using a gift card does not make a cash exchange permissible.
Does a business need a license to offer COAMs?
Yes. A business offering COAMs for public play needs the appropriate Georgia Lottery location license, and the machine owner needs a master license. Start with our COAM licensing process guide and confirm requirements with the Georgia Lottery.
Choosing equipment for your Georgia business
Once you understand the game category, compare the practical details: cabinet dimensions, screen layout, placement, installation access, and ongoing service. Our cabinet size and screen comparison helps you prepare measurements and questions for your location.
Lucky Coin has served Georgia businesses for more than 30 years. Our team is based in Tucker and provides statewide equipment installation and service. Ask about equipment for your business or call 1-855-345-8259 to discuss your space and equipment needs.