Georgia's first casino could rise from an old JCPenney in Macon—if gambling laws change

An abandoned Macon mall could turn into a high-stakes gamble for Georgia. But first, legislators must rewrite decades-old laws blocking casinos statewide.

, and Administrator

2026 February 14 . 7:47 AM

1 min read

The image shows a group of people walking down an escalator in a shopping mall, surrounded by glass... — The image shows a group of people walking down an escalator in a shopping mall, surrounded by glass railings, boards with text, lights on the ceiling, and various objects in the racks. At the bottom of the image, there is a watermark indicating that the mall is set to open in 2020.

Georgia's first casino could rise from an old JCPenney in Macon—if gambling laws change

A former JCPenney store in Macon could become Georgia's first casino if state laws change. Gaming & Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI) holds the exclusive right to buy the site for $500,000. The plan hinges on Georgia legalising commercial gambling, which currently remains banned.

The Macon Mall was transferred to the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority in September 2021. GLPI now has the sole option to purchase the empty JCPenney building for half a million dollars. If the deal proceeds, the company plans to spend around $1.5 million to demolish the existing structure.

Macon, the fourth-largest city in Georgia, sits in a central location that could draw visitors. However, any casino development faces a major legal hurdle. Georgia presently outlaws slot machines, table games, and sports betting. To change this, lawmakers would need to pass a statewide referendum with two-thirds support in both legislative chambers. Voters would then have the final say with a simple majority.

Legislators have debated lifting the casino ban in recent years, but no bill has succeeded so far. GLPI's exclusivity agreement could extend until 2031 if the company pays another $500,000.

The project's future depends on Georgia's gambling laws. If approved, the casino would mark a first for the state. Until then, GLPI retains its purchase option while the site remains vacant.