Can a COAM ticket be redeemed for merchandise?

September 23, 2026 · Coam Tracker · 2-minute read

Short answer: no. A customer cannot hand you a ticket and walk out with chips, drinks, or anything off the shelf. Merchandise is not one of the four legal ways — and inspectors know it.

The four ways — and merchandise is not there

Since July 1, 2026, Georgia law allows a COAM ticket to be redeemed only four ways: replays, lottery products, non-reloadable gift cards, or reloadable gift cards. That list comes from House Bill 353. Nothing else is on it. Not cash. Not merchandise.

But there is a legal way to get there

Two steps instead of one:

Same ending — the customer walks out with what he wanted. But now both steps are in the law, and your records show a clean redemption. One thing to remember: the gift card buys store merchandise only — and it can never become cash.

Why skipping the step is not worth it

Handing merchandise straight for a ticket makes a redemption record that does not match the law. Inspectors check redemption records on every visit. A shortcut that saves ten seconds at the counter can cost you a written warning — or worse. Two steps is the easy way to stay clean.

Where this comes from

• O.C.G.A. § 50-27-71 and § 50-27-71.1 (the law itself)
• House Bill 353 (2025–2026 session)
• Georgia Lottery / gacoam.com notices

This page shares general information about Georgia law from public sources, with links. It is not legal advice. Coam Tracker helps you keep records. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the Georgia Lottery Corporation or GAMOA.