---
title: O.C.G.A. § 16-12-36. Lawful promotional and giveaway contests.
collection: code
id: 16-12-36
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 16-12-36 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-12-36
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-12-36.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-12-36/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t16-ch12-17-(v14b)-2024-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=a591fa7b_0#page=78
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CRIMES AND OFFENSES / OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS / GAMBLING AND RELATED OFFENSES / GAMBLING
---

# O.C.G.A. § 16-12-36. Lawful promotional and giveaway contests.

(a) A promotional or giveaway contest which conforms with the qualifications of a lawful promotion specified in paragraph (16) of subsection (b) of Code Section 10-1-393 shall not be a lottery.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section, all promotions or promotional contests involving an element of chance in the distribution of prizes, gifts, awards, or other items which otherwise meet the definition of a “lottery” in this article shall be included within the definition of the term “lottery” for purposes of this article, unless specifically exempted by some other statute or law.

## History

Code 1933, § 26-2714, enacted by Ga. L. 1982, p. 1661, § 2; Code 1981, § 16-12-36, enacted by Ga. L. 1982, p. 1661, § 4; Ga. L. 1983, p. 3, § 13; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1313, § 4.

## Cross References

Fair Business Practices Act, § 10-1-390 et seq.