Class A vs Class B COAMs in Georgia: What’s the Difference?
In Georgia, COAMs (Coin Operated Amusement Machines) are split into Class A and Class B. Class A machines award only non-cash play — replays or additional game time. Class B machines, the regulated redemption category, let players redeem accumulated credit for value. HB 353 reshapes Class B redemption, moving it from cash to gift cards effective July 1, 2026; Class A is not the focus of that change.
That distinction is the practical fork in the road. If your location runs Class B machines, the 2026 transition applies directly to you. Here is what each class is and why the line matters.
What a Class A COAM is
Class A COAMs are amusement machines whose only reward is more play — a free replay, extended time, or the right to continue. There is no redemption of credit for outside value. Because nothing leaves the machine but entertainment, Class A sits outside the redemption rules that HB 353 addresses.
What a Class B COAM is
Class B COAMs are the redemption category: players can redeem accumulated credit for value, under the rules the Georgia Lottery Corporation administers. This is the class that convenience stores, gas stations, and restaurants typically operate, and it is the class HB 353 is rewriting for 2026.
Georgia’s published COAM list — the public record Payline’s free eligibility lookup checks against — identifies Class B locations. (Payline is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Georgia Lottery Corporation.)
Why the difference matters in 2026
The whole weight of HB 353 lands on Class B redemption. If a location runs Class B machines, the way players redeem credit changes on July 1, 2026 — from cash to gift-card-based redemption. That means the location needs a redemption kiosk capable of issuing gift cards, not a cash-dispensing cabinet.
For Class A-only locations, the redemption transition does not apply in the same way, because there is no credit redemption to convert. The first question for any operator is therefore simple: which class are your machines?
How to confirm your status
Your license paperwork and the Georgia Lottery Corporation’s published COAM list identify your class. If you operate Class B machines, the next step is confirming your location appears on the published list — Payline’s free COAM license eligibility lookup does exactly that against the public record, with the as-of date shown.
FAQ
What is the difference between Class A and Class B COAMs in Georgia?
Class A COAMs award only additional play (replays or game time). Class B COAMs let players redeem accumulated credit for value and are the regulated redemption category. HB 353 reshapes Class B redemption for 2026.
Does HB 353 apply to Class A COAMs?
HB 353’s redemption change targets Class B COAM credit redemption, moving it from cash to gift cards on July 1, 2026. Class A machines, which award only play, are not the focus of that redemption change.
How do I know if my location is Class B?
Your license paperwork and the Georgia Lottery Corporation’s published COAM list identify your class. Payline’s free eligibility lookup checks a Class B license number against that public list.
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