Georgian gov't halves cost of permit to operate casino in capital city of Tbilisi
The decision will apply to permits that will be issued from July 5, 2021 to January 1, 2022. Photo: Casino Shangri La Tbilisi/Facebook.
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The government of Georgia has decided to reduce the cost of a first year permit fee to operate a casino in the capital city of Tbilisi from 5 million GEL to 2.5 million GEL.
The decision will apply to permits that will be issued from July 5, 2021 to January 1, 2022.
The Ministry of Finance of Georgia explains that this is a one-time decision and is made for the purpose of overcoming the economic difficulties arising in the casinos operating in Tbilisi due to the restrictions imposed during the pandemic.
There were coronavirus restrictions imposed on casinos' operations in Tbilisi imposed on March 21, 2020 to April 1, 2021, however the ministry says that due to the existing difficulties, they have not been able to start functioning so far.
As of March 21, 2020, casinos operating in Tbilisi had paid a permit fee of 5 million GEL in advance.
One of the leaders of Lelo for Georgia party Saba Buadze said that the government is giving millions of lari to the gambling business and government-affiliated people to fund their pre-election campaign.
The impact of the coronavirus is rippling through the Georgian economy, but it might take a few months to fully see the fallout in data that track economic performance in Georgia.
The government of Georgia has imposed further restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the country. The restrictions that will be in effect between November 28 and January 31 are as follows: An effective curfew will be in force between the hours of 21:00 and 05:00. The restriction will be temporarily lifted on December 31 and January 6 (for New Year and Christmas). Restaurants and other food facilities will fully move to takeaway services which includes takeaway, delivery and drive.
The Georgian government has presented a plan to gradually open the economy step-by-step over the next three months. Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said that restrictions on economic activity will begin being lifted starting April 27 and if the coronavirus situation does not worsen in the country in three months Georgian the economy will be fully reopened.
The Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) has refused to release gambling commercials starting January 1, 2020 to “respond to the public demand” and “fight with the dependence on gambling that has become a serious problem in the country.”
Individuals and legal entities leasing state property in Georgia and who have been affected by the Covid-19 outbreak will be exempted for back rent accrued between March 21, 2020 and March 21, 2021. In addition, they will be exempt from paying penalties imposed for non-payment of leasing fees, announces Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava.
Ban on gambling advertisements on television will take effect in March, the ruling Georgian Dream MP Irakli Zarkua said earlier today. Television producers have been asking for the deadline to be postponed until September 2022, though Zarkua said ‘the optimal deadline is March’.