Gov’t plans to impose restrictions for online gambling, increase fees
The Georgian government has revealed plans to regulate gambling. Photo: ThoroughlyReviewed/CC BY 2.0.
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili says the government has plans to increase fees for online gambling businesses – which are mostly foreign owned – as well as to ban ads, and increase the lower age limit for gamblers to 25 years.
Garibashvili said earlier today that about 1.5 billion GEL flows out of the country annually due to online casinos.
This is the money of the country’s poor population. 99% of the individuals who are engaged with online gambling are socially vulnerable,” Garibashvili said.
He stated that the country’s Finance Ministry will present a bill on new regulations for online casinos in the near future.
Garibashvili said that the restrictions are expected to be imposed at the first stage, while later online gambling may be banned in Georgia.
Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili says that increased fees for online casinos amid new restrictions which will decrease the number of users, will ensure lower impact on their contribution to the state budget.
Khutsishvili also said that the complete ban on online gambling is not expected 'this or the next year.'
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said the sale of psychotropic drugs should be tightened and he will personally oversee the issue.
Minister of Finance Ivane Matchavariani presented a new initiative earlier today to reduce money laundering risks related to gambling in Georgia.
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.”
The Ministry of Defence of Georgia has developed new rules and strengthened existing rules where members of Georgia’s Armed Forces (GAF) will be immediately dismissed if they’re found to be under the influence of alcohol or engaged in gambling.
Georgia’s seaside resort Batumi will become a networking haven to over 150 gambling professionals representing upwards of 20 countries to share ideas about current trends in the gambling business.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili says that 300,000 Georgians fit to work are dependent on state social assistance, even though the government is able to create jobs for them and ensure stable income in the long run. In an interview for the Georgian Public Broadcaster yesterday, Garibashvili also stated that existing drug policy in Georgia is ‘too liberal’ and that the government has plans to further tighten penalties for the sale of drugs, including by pharmacies.
About one million Georgian citizens will be banned from online gambling and will not be allowed in brick and mortar casinos, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated earlier today.
The Lelo for Georgia party has proposed a tax exemption for all media outlets for three years. Lelo member Saba Buadze said that amid the difficult economic situation caused by Covid-19, advertising revenues have significantly fallen in the country.
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’.
Georgian athletes have stated earlier today that Georgian sport will be left without funding if the parliament approves legislative restrictions on gambling in the country.
The Georgian parliament has approved new legislative regulations for online gambling businesses. Eighty-two MPs supported the changes proposed by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili in its third and final reading in a 150-member state legislature.
The introduction of the ban on gambling advertising in Georgia starting today will deal with “one of the biggest problems” of the country’s population, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Tuesday.
Georgian deputy finance minister Mikheil Dundua on Monday met with representatives of the country’s gambling business to discuss the sections related to the industry in the European Union's 12-point conditions for granting the country the membership candidate status, the ministry of finance said.
Online gambling businesses - including online casinos, slot machines and betting - will be subject to mandatory permits for specific types of operation, following the Georgian government’s reveal of amendments to the relevant law on Monday.
The Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia has charged three foreign citizens with running an illegal gambling business in the Black Sea region of Adjara, the state body said on Monday.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday announced taxes on the gambling business would be increased to 15 percent, while withdrawal of money from the business would also be taxed at a higher 5 percent from the banks.