Irakli Garibashvili, the prime minister of Georgia, has signed off on a package of reforms to the country’s gambling laws. These reforms, which are the largest shake-up to the country’s gambling laws since 2021, aim to address legal compliance and safer gambling concerns. One major change is the restriction of online casinos to land-based organizations. The reforms also include raising the gambling age to 25, increasing taxes on online gambling businesses, banning TV advertising, and barring public employees and self-excluded individuals from participating in gambling.
Under the new rules, the ten land-based casino businesses in Georgia, including Casino Adjara, Crystalbet, and Iveria, can obtain licenses to operate online casinos. Online slots will only be available in retail slots parlors, and sports betting will be limited to physical bookmakers. The government is now offering additional online-only licenses but at a significant fee of €1.6m per license holder per year. While this fee may be considered high, it aims to support the growth of local companies and create a fair market for all.
These reforms also prioritize safer gambling by addressing gambling harms, especially among younger demographics. The aim is to ensure that license requirements are followed while also combating illegal gambling activities. Georgia, being one of the countries with a high prevalence of illegal gambling, needed to establish a legal framework to regulate and block such activities. Recently, the city of Batumi in Georgia increased its gaming table and machine fees, which received criticism from the local industry.
