What does a COAM inspector check?

September 23, 2026 · Coam Tracker · 3-minute read

Short answer: inspectors visit stores every month — 599 locations in July 2026 alone. The good news: only 18 got written warnings, and most problems were simple oversights. Here is what they look at, so yours isn’t one of them.

The walk-through

License

Your location license — current, and displayed.

The sign

The required GLC sign posted near the machines.

Decals

Each machine carrying its own current decal — and no more Class B machines than the law allows.

Records

Redemption records. The Lottery has said inspectors check prize redemption and records on every visit. Who redeemed, when, which of the four ways, and the ticket amount.

Redemption

Prizes redeemed only the four legal ways — replays, lottery products, non-reloadable or reloadable gift cards. Never cash.

Inspectors are out every month

In July 2026 alone, inspectors visited 599 stores. One day they will walk into yours. The stores that got warnings mostly forgot small things — a paper, a sign, a record. Small things still get written up. The stores that pass are ready: license up, sign up, records ready to show right away. Be one of them.

The five-minute self-check

Walk your own store like an inspector once a month: Is the license up? Is the sign up? Does every machine have its decal? Can I show my redemption records for last week — right now? If all four answers are yes, a visit is nothing to fear.

Where this comes from

Georgia Amusement Journal, August 2026 — 599 inspections, 18 written warnings (GLC COAM Advisory Board, July 21, 2026)
Georgia Amusement Journal, September 2026 — inspectors check redemption records on every visit
O.C.G.A. § 50-27-71 and § 50-27-71.1; gacoam.com license-holder guides

Coam Tracker logs every redemption in one tap — see how →

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.