Cash Payouts End July 2026: Your Complete Compliance Timeline

July 2026 might feel like it's far away, but if you're a Georgia COAM operator, the time to start preparing is now. Transitioning from cash payouts to a compliant gift card system isn't something you can do overnight—it takes planning, coordination, and time.

In this post, we'll give you a realistic timeline for getting compliant with HB 353, broken down into actionable phases. Follow this guide, and you'll be ready well before the deadline hits.

Phase 1: Research & Planning (Now - Q2 2025)

This is where most operators are today—or should be. Use this time to understand your options and make informed decisions.

What to Do:

• Understand the law – Read up on HB 353 requirements. Our HB 353 Compliance Guide is a good starting point.
• Assess your operation – How many machines do you have? What's your average daily payout volume? Do you operate single or multiple locations?
• Evaluate payout methods – Gift cards or lottery tickets? For most operators, gift cards are the better choice.
• Research providers – Look at compliance features, pricing, support, and integration options.

Phase 2: Provider Selection (Q2 - Q3 2025)

Once you understand your needs, it's time to choose a solution and get contracts in place.

What to Do:

• Request demos – See the systems in action before committing
• Compare pricing – Look at transaction fees, setup costs, and ongoing expenses
• Check compliance – Make sure your provider is a licensed money transmitter and meets all HB 353 requirements
• Negotiate contracts – Get favorable terms while providers are still competing for business
• Plan integration – If you have a CMS, discuss API integration requirements

Phase 3: Pilot Implementation (Q4 2025)

Don't roll out to all locations at once. Start with a pilot program to work out the kinks.

What to Do:

• Select pilot locations – Choose 1-3 locations that represent your typical operations
• Install equipment – Set up kiosks or staff terminals at pilot sites
• Train pilot staff – Get your team comfortable with the new system
• Test thoroughly – Run through every scenario: normal payouts, edge cases, refunds, support issues
• Gather feedback – Talk to staff and players about their experience

Phase 4: Full Rollout (Q1 2026)

With pilot learnings in hand, expand to all your locations.

What to Do:

• Create a rollout schedule – Don't try to do everything at once
• Deploy equipment – Install at remaining locations
• Train all staff – Use lessons learned from the pilot
• Update signage – Let players know about the new payout system
• Monitor closely – Watch for issues as you scale

Phase 5: Optimization (Q2 2026)

You're compliant—now make sure everything is running smoothly.

What to Do:

• Address any issues – Fix problems identified during rollout
• Optimize processes – Streamline staff workflows
• Review reporting – Make sure compliance reports are accurate
• Phase out cash completely – Stop cash payouts before the deadline

What If You Start Late?

If you're reading this in late 2025 or early 2026 and haven't started yet, here's the reality:

• Compressed timeline – You'll need to move fast and may not have time for a proper pilot
• Higher costs – Expedited implementation often costs more
• Less leverage – Providers will have less incentive to negotiate
• More risk – Less time to identify and fix issues before the deadline

It's still possible to get compliant, but it's much harder and more stressful than starting now.

The Cost of Waiting

Every month you delay increases your risk:

• Provider capacity – As the deadline approaches, providers will have less bandwidth for new clients
• Equipment availability – If you need kiosks, supply chain issues could cause delays
• Staff training – Rushing training leads to mistakes and poor player experiences
• Compliance gaps – Less time to ensure everything meets HB 353 requirements

Your Action Items for This Week

Here's what you can do right now to get started:

1. Read the full HB 353 requirements – Know exactly what's required
2. Inventory your operation – List all machines, locations, and average payout volumes
3. Set a decision deadline – Commit to choosing a provider by a specific date
4. Talk to providers – Schedule demos with 2-3 compliant payout solutions

The Bottom Line

July 2026 will arrive whether you're ready or not. Operators who start preparing now will have a smooth transition, trained staff, and comfortable players by the time the deadline hits.

Those who wait will be scrambling, overpaying, and risking non-compliance.

The choice is yours—but the clock is ticking.