An automatic gain control device in a digital broadcast receiver is provided. The device is constructed to include an AGC for receiving an input signal and a predetermined power reference value to thereby obtain a gain error value, determining one of a plurality of operational areas according to a received AGC step control signal, and generating an RF gain control signal and an IF gain control signal according to the gain error value; and a lock detector for receiving the gain error value and the predetermined power reference value and thereby generating the AGC step control signal and an AGC lock/unlock signal.