Located in the region of Eastern Europe and partly in the Western Asia, Georgia has a long history and an active today. Once belonging to the Soviet Union, the country of 3. 736 million now finds itself as a growing hub for various industries, including gambling. The purpose of this article is to enhance the existing knowledge about the Georgia gambling laws, including, but not limited to, Georgia bookmakers, as well as to describe the legal framework, controlling authorities, types of licenses and their costs, taxation, and permitted and prohibited actions.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Georgia Bookmakers Gambling Laws and Legislation
Gaming has been a part of the Georgian territory for centuries, but it was not until the beginning of the 21st century that formalities were established. The law “Organizing Lotteries, Gambling, and Profit-Generating Games” was passed in 2005 as the legal basis for the industry.
- 2005: The primary gambling legislation can be introduced as the legislation that set a foundation for the regulation of gambling in a specific country.
- 2021: This paper focuses on the change in tax rates and measures that have affected advertising restrictions.
- 2022: Measures that can be taken to reduce gambling opportunities for particular population subgroups
- 2023: Communication of the raise in taxes on the gambling business receipts
- 2024: Inclusion of a new license for online betting
Bookmakers Regulatory Agencies
In Georgia, the control of gambling activities is carried out by the Ministry of Finance of Georgia through the Revenue Service. This body is responsible for the licensing of the industry, formulation of taxes, marketing and regulation of the same. The functions of the Revenue Service include being fair, non greedy, and protecting consumers which makes the market less corrupt.
Licenses and Fees for Georgia Bookmakers
Obtaining a license to operate as a bookmaker in Georgia involves several steps and varying fees depending on the type of activity:The procedure of obtaining a license to operate as a bookmaker in Georgia includes several steps and the fees are different depending on the type of activity:
- Online Casino License: Earlier, I used to pay GEL 30,000–60,000 for it per quarter, but now it has risen to GEL 250,000–300,000 per quarter.
- Physical Facility License: It summed up to GEL 100, 000.
- Online Slot Machines License: That is why the company’s financial plan is to have a GEL 1 million credit line available throughout the year.
- Online Betting License: On the financial aspect, the company is required to make the payment to the bank in the amount of GEL 1 million as for the interest on the credit.
- Annual Fee for Online Casinos: £1. 6 million
The operators have to file their applications electronically and the permits are issued by the Revenue Service. The intricate system of licensing should guarantee the non-allowance of an uncontrolled and illegitimate evolution of gambling.
Georgia Bookmakers Gambling Taxes
Taxation is a crucial aspect of Georgia’s approach to regulating bookmakers:In this sense, taxation is one of the key elements of Georgia’s regulatory framework for bookmakers:
- Gambling Tax Rate: The degree of prominence appropriate to the government is to be set at 10% on the total gambling revenue.
- Tax Changes: Increased the general tax on betting to 70% from the year 2021.
- Player Winnings: The taxes are levied at the source; players do not declare taxes on the winnings received from Georgian gambling companies immediately
This has been due to the favorable tax system that the market provides especially when compared to other neighboring countries.
Prohibited and Allowed Bets
Georgia’s gambling laws outline specific prohibitions, particularly concerning who can participate:Georgia’s gambling laws outline specific prohibitions, particularly concerning who can participate:
- Prohibited Groups: beneficiaries of governmental aid, government servants, people under 25 years of age
- Self-Exclusion List: A part of the Revenue Service; consists of self-excluded gambling addicts and compulsive gambling addicts declared by the courts
Permitted gambling activities include:
- Online Casinos
- Sportsbooks
- Lotteries
Sports Betting in Georgia
Sports betting, which is one of the most actively emerging segments of the Georgian gambling, is legal and has several opportunities for the operators and the clients.
Popular Sports for Betting:
- Football
- Rugby Union
- Judo
- Basketball
- Wrestling
- Sports Events: The only kind of advertisement connected with gambling is the sponsorship of sports teams, athletes, or leagues.
As mentioned before, Georgia has a deep-rooted tradition in sports, especially in physically intensive sports such as wrestling and rugby, which also corresponds with the emerging sports betting market. The country’s successful history in athletics especially in Greco-Roman wrestling and participation in the Olympic games since 1994 promotes the sport betting activities.
Conclusion
The legal conditions for bookmakers in Georgia are well developed for their further development, consumer protection, and fair business. The state has demonstrated its desire and ability to support a transparent and fairly operated market through the licensing, taxation, and regulation that does not include problem gambling. However, the changes that are currently occurring in the market indicate that Georgia is still a promising area for gambling operators and fans.
The legal factors that should be taken into consideration when analyzing the Georgia Bookmakers industry include the legal framework and the bodies that regulate the market; the key events in the industry. Consequently, Georgia’s case presents a good practice of how to maintain a healthy gambling business while establishing an appropriate framework and adapting to new changes.
FAQ of Georgia Bookmakers
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