Georgia

Specialists of the 2WinPower studio explain why it is worth launching a gaming site in the Georgian market. You will also learn what changes await the owners of digital and offline locations and how the innovations will affect the growth of the local entertainment sector.

About the Country’s Casino Niche

Georgia is a promising state. It has a strong economy and a stable political situation.

The first traditional casinos here appeared in the mid-2000s. Since then, the government has repeatedly changed the legislation in this field, creating a comfortable environment for operators.

The main Gambling Regulation Act was adopted in 2005. It allowed all types of activities, including organising lotteries and bingo draws, launching a betting shop, and opening a digital entertainment portal with a local permit.

The latest changes came into force in June 2024. The legal framework was finalised, and for the first time, the certification process for offline startups and Internet resources was separated.

To open licensed virtual casinos, entrepreneurs previously had to first arrange the work of a traditional hall with slot machines. Today, this condition is completely levelled, which increases the prestige of the region’s market in the eyes of investors and B2B businesses.

How to Obtain an iGaming Permit in Georgia

The registration and issuance of such a document are the tasks of the Revenue Service.

The regulator's competence also means:

• control over companies that have decided to buy the local certificate;
• formation of tax and customs policies;
• creation of a good investment climate, and much more.

In addition to the main Gambling Law issued in 2005, the organisation is guided in its work by the Tax Code, as well as the orders/resolutions of the Ministry of Finance.

One of the key advantages of working in the market is the simple and clear procedure for getting a permit. Before receiving the document, businessmen must register a legal entity. Its founder can be a foreigner but the servers and physical office must be located exclusively in the country.

Operators need to perform several tasks:

• fill out a preliminary online application on the website of the Revenue Service;
• send data on the founders and persons in key positions;
• make a business plan for the next 3 years;
• open a local bank account;
• register with the tax office;
• prepare a full description of the work of a land-based or online establishment (the size of bets, available products, loyalty programs, and layouts of such attributes as chips, cards, tokens, etc.).

The Georgian gambling licence requires the execution of an RNG certificate for entertainment and systems that will be used in future projects. Independent assessment is carried out by eCOGRA, GLI, QUINEL, and other international laboratories that have received accreditation in the local market.

The time for consideration of a request is standard for all companies: 20 calendar days.

Business owners can speed up the authorisation procedure by paying an additional fee to the public treasury:

• 1 day will cost $742;
• 5 days — $296;
• 10 days — $148.

A casino permit in Georgia is issued for 5 years. After that, the document can be extended under a simplified procedure.

The Cost of a Licence

It depends on the selected activity, the number of pieces of equipment and card tables (for offline locations), the registration of a legal entity, and other factors.

In terms of taxation, the most profitable option is to work in resort areas. These are Kazbegi, Sukhumi, and other regions with a reduced fiscal load on business.

The highest interest rates are applied in Tbilisi. Many entrepreneurs who have chosen to legalise their projects prefer this city due to its developed economy and huge tourism potential.

Annual Contributions

Their size cannot be changed, and they are paid in equal parts:

• launch of an offline casino (from $37,041 to $1,850,080);
• opening a club with slot machines (between $18,520 and $370,416);
• creation of a real or virtual bookmaker’s office (from $11,112 to $111,124);
• sale of tickets for bingo, keno, and lottery draws ($5,556);
• start a turnkey platform with a Georgian permit ($1,779,840).

Quarterly Fees

Owners of offline entertainment clubs additionally pay for each unit of equipment that is located indoors and generates profit:

• for one card table from $7,408 to $14,816;
• for one slot machine from $740 to $1,481;
• for system-electronic games around $92,604—$111,124;
• for organising sweepstakes, it is necessary to pay $92,604—$111,124;
• for conducting lottery drawings, operators should transfer 10% of the difference between the amount of tickets sold and the paid reward;
• casino owners deduct 10% of the prize fund from each raffle.

A quarterly iGaming licence in Georgia will cost $92,604. This sum must be transferred every 3 months to have the right to work in the jurisdiction.

Income Tax

Entrepreneurs pay 15% of GGR. This is all bets placed by players minus their winnings. The amount of levies is transferred once a month to a special account in the state treasury.

Course for Responsible Gambling

Favourable geographical location, developed tourism, and legalisation of all types of betting have made Georgia one of the most attractive states for launching online startups.

The opening of the casino market has affected the spread of ludomania in the region. Therefore, starting in 2021, the local government has introduced several restrictions related to the implementation of the principles of responsible attitude toward the placement of bids.

Rigorous Authentication of Users

The law forbids access to gaming sites for:

• persons under 25 years of age (except for foreigners who are allowed to place bets from 18);
• citizens who work in state-owned companies;
• people who receive social assistance and other types of material support from the country;
• gamblers included in the register of self-limited customers.

Holders of the Georgian entertainment certificate need to verify all visitors to their online or offline establishments. The procedure is carried out using identity documents (passport/ID card/driver's licence).

Advertising Restrictions

The government has banned all forms of gambling promotion, including the publication of commercials on radio and TV, banners, etc. The only available form is patronage.

Legal operators can support teams and athletes and also become title sponsors of various regional or international tournaments.

Penalties

In June 2024, amends to the Code of Administrative Offences were made.

Thus, entrepreneurs who violated the law (for example, accepted a bet from a citizen under 25 years of age) are required to pay a fine of $3,704 (for the first offence) or $7,408 (for each subsequent one).

For the provision of casino services without the necessary certificate, a penalty of $5,556 is imposed.

Advantages of Launching a Gaming Site in the Country

Let us consider the key benefits of such a decision:

1. Favourable geographic location. Georgia is one of the few states that has fully legalised online and offline gambling (unlike neighbouring jurisdictions where such activity is either completely prohibited or limited to special zones). Here, operators can open a land-based or virtual establishment. This opportunity attracts tourists, investors, and B2B partners.
2. A simplified acquisition of a permit. The local licence is issued within 20 calendar days. This is one of the shortest processing times in the world. Casino owners do not need to undergo numerous checks and approvals but can start working immediately.
3. High level of protection. All legal companies are connected to the state’s online monitoring system. Its key tasks are to collect info on GGR and ensure a fair RTP. The minimum indicator is set at 90%. In practice, businessmen cannot use games and services whose return rate is lower than the planned scale.
4. Developed gambling community. Many well-known software vendors are based in or have representative offices in the country, such as BGaming, Amusnet, Evolution, etc. The state is distinguished by good IT telecommunications and a huge number of advanced data centres. Interesting industry events, summits, and conferences for representatives of the entertainment niche are held in the capital and resort towns.
5. Still weak competition. The local iGaming market was opened only in 2024. Before that, all operators were required to organise the work of land-based establishments, and only then they can be moved to the digital environment. Today, a lot has changed, and the government has simplified the issuance of certificates as much as possible.

The Main Things about the Georgian Entertainment Sector

Key aspects that need to be taken into account:

• The advantages of working in the state include a favourable geographical location, a well-developed community of players, and low competition. The authorities have created a simple and transparent procedure for issuing a permit, which can be received in just 20 days.
• To obtain a licence, project owners must register a legal entity in the country, undergo certification of software and equipment, and prepare a business plan. The document is issued for 5 years.
• The cost of a permit depends on the format of the activity. The state provides annual or quarterly fees. Operators also need to transfer 15% of the GGR.
• The government strongly supports legal business and fights against fraud platforms. At the beginning of the year, new advertising restrictions and fines for those who work without a licence were introduced.

The 2WinPower studio provides assistance in receiving a permit and launching an iGaming startup in Georgia and other promising countries.

We will deal with all technical and legal tasks, prepare a package of documents, write a business plan, help with opening a bank account, and register your brand with the tax authorities.

We also offer the following useful options:

• creation of HTML5 slots according to individual sketches;
• sale and rental of games;
• payment system installation;
• security software connection;
• integration of sportsbook systems and programs;
• promotion of already launched projects, and much more.