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A viral post on social media has put a spotlight back on something that many Georgia shoppers have noticed aka gambling-style machines popping up inside. grocery storesincluding some operated by Kroger.
The conversation started with X, where a user shared their surprise after seeing the machines while visiting family in Georgia.
“I was visiting my parents in georgia and apparently they have a gambling section at krogers now? how the f*** has gambling infiltrated ALL dude holy s***,” the user wrote.
Photos making the rounds online show a section inside a Kroger grocery store set aside with signage that reads “Georgia Skill Games.” Inside the cordoned-off space, slot-style machines are lined up in a row, creating a setup that looks less like a gaming lounge than part of a supermarket.
The post quickly sparked debate about the prevalence of gambling-style games in everyday retail spaces.
One commenter reflected on past experiences with gaming machines at other businesses: “I remember when I was a kid in the 90s bars and local video rental stores used to have blackjack or poker machines, but in a grocery store? The south is wild for that.”
Another user was more blunt: “If you’re playing slots at a grocery store it’s time to reevaluate life choices.”
Other commenters pointed to similar setups in other states, including Oregon.
“They have a sfuff like this in Oregon and it’s crazy. I always thought it was weird to ban gambling, but no, I was wrong.
Others frame the machines as yet another temptation in a consumer-driven environment.
“Buy groceries, or a couple of spins and a few drinks to warm the belly? Decisions, decisions.”
How some of Kroger’s slot machines work
In March 2025, a YouTube user posted a video documenting a visit to a Kroger location in Georgia to try out what he described as “legal slot machines.”
“Today we go to a Kroger Grocery store to play legal slot machines in the state of Georgia. It’s very crazy, because Casino’s and Slot Machines are illegal here, but somehow Kroger found a solution. See how to play legal slot machines in Georgia, in a Kroger Supermarket,” said the creator in the video description.
In the video, he explains what he describes as a legal workaround involving prepaid debit cards.
“Obviously you can go to this Kroger in Whitlock and a few other Krogers. You can buy this reloadable card that’s supposed to be good anywhere that accepts Mastercard. You can load money on that card, put the card in the slot machine, play slots, win, and if you win $200 or $300, you can receive the card and Mastercard can use it. The slot machines.
The reloadable cards referenced in the video are reportedly available anywhere Mastercard is accepted, allowing winnings to be spent as standard debit funds rather than directly redeemed as cash payouts.
Still, some Powder Springs neighborhood residents say they’ve had enough. The community members there started a petition when they were first launched, called to remove the style of gambling machines, arguing that their presence could bring unwanted problems to the area.
Kroger’s wider gambling expansion
The machines inside grocery stores reflect a time when retailers are testing the waters in the broader gaming space. In February 2025, industry reports pointed to Kroger launching a new digital product tied to sports betting, a move that suggests the company is exploring ways to tap into gaming-adjacent markets as customers shop for everyday items.
Georgia still does not allow traditional casinos or slot machines. But so-called games of skill and alternative payment systems have found a place to work in what many describe as a legal gray area, in Georgia and other states. Supporters argue that the games differ from traditional gambling because they involve some element of player skill. Critics say the distinction is not always clear in practice.
For many opponents, the bigger concern isn’t just whether the machines are technically in compliance with state law. It’s about how visible and accessible they are.
ReadWrite has reached out to Kroger for comment.
Featured image: @MargBarAmerica via X
The post Viral post sparks debate over Georgia’s Kroger gambling machines first appeared in ReadWrite.
