Georgian authorities will strengthen the fight against gambling addiction in 2024

Kateryna Skrypnyk January 4, 2024

SiGMA news

Georgian authorities will strengthen the fight against gambling addiction in 2024

From July 1, 2024, the restrictions in the sphere of gambling, which are in force in Georgia, will be tightened.

The Code of Administrative Offenses of Georgia has been amended, according to which from July 1, participation in land-based and online gambling activities will be prohibited for citizens under 25 years old and foreigners under 18 years old.

If an operator is found guilty of allowing under age gambling, the company will have to pay a fine of $3690, and in case of repeated violation the fine will increase up to $7380.

Internet cafes will also fall under restrictions from July 1, 2024. Organization of online gambling will entail a fine of 15 thousand GEL, and 30 thousand GEL for repeated infringement.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced his intention to ban online gambling in the country back in November 2021, adding that it will happen gradually. First, the authorities raised the tax for gambling businesses by 65-70%, then restricted participation in online gambling to persons under 25 years old. And finally, the government has compiled a database of persons who are prohibited from gambling – the so-called register of ludomaniacs.

For Georgians there are 2 ways to get into the official register of addicts: to apply to the Revenue Service on their own (self-exclusion) or by a court request from the family of a gambling addict.

Government or public sector officials and socially disadvantaged persons under 25 years of age are added to the database automatically.

All gambling activities in Georgia are regulated by the Law on Organizing Lotteries, Games of Chance and Other Prize Games, adopted in 2005.

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