TLDR
- Georgia’s Parliament is reviewing a bill to create new gambling licenses for international operators only
- Georgian citizens would be blocked from using platforms run under the new licenses
- Foreign operators would pay a 5% tax on gross gaming revenue, compared to 20% for domestic-facing operators
- Licenses would last five years, cost GEL 100,000 annually, and cover online casino, slots, and sports betting
- The bill also limits operators to one domain per license, down from two
Georgia is preparing a major change to its gambling laws. The government wants to attract foreign betting and casino companies while keeping its own citizens from using those platforms.
A set of legislative amendments is now before Parliament. The proposal was submitted under an accelerated review process and introduces new license categories for operators serving customers outside Georgia.
Under the plan, international operators could offer online casino games, slot products, and sports betting. But only to foreign citizens and stateless persons. Georgian nationals would be banned from accessing these platforms entirely.
The government says the approach balances economic growth with social responsibility. By limiting access for residents, lawmakers argue it reduces the risk of gambling-related harm at home.
Lower Taxes Designed to Attract Foreign Business
The financial incentives are a core part of the bill. International operators under the new framework would pay a gross gaming revenue tax of just 5%. That compares to the 20% rate currently paid by operators targeting Georgian customers.
Officials say the lower tax rate could make Georgia an attractive base for foreign gambling companies looking to operate in the region.
The bill’s supporting materials point to potential gains in foreign direct investment. It also highlights job creation in areas like software development, cybersecurity, and digital marketing.
Three separate permit categories would be created covering online casino products, slot machine games, and sports betting. Each license would run for five years with an annual fee of GEL 100,000.
Operators would also face monthly tax payments throughout the license period. Companies that fail to meet licensing or payment conditions could be fined GEL 20,000.
Domain Rules and Compliance Requirements
The bill also tightens rules around internet domains. Under the draft law, each gambling permit would allow only one domain. Currently, operators are permitted two. Existing license holders would get a transition period to comply.
The legislation was introduced by five members of Parliament: Shota Berekashvili, Giorgi Barvenashvili, Tornike Berekashvili, Anton Obolashvili, and Mariam Lashkhi.
If passed, the law would create a clear split between gambling as an export industry and gambling as a domestic activity. Georgia would try to earn tax revenue and investment from international markets while keeping stricter limits on local access.
No vote date has been announced yet. The bill remains under parliamentary review as of late June 2026.
