Georgia Parliament Approves International Casino Tournaments Requiring 80 Percent Foreign Participants

According to Focus Gaming News, the Georgian parliament has approved legislation allowing casinos to host international gambling tournaments, passing the final reading by a vote of 73-5. The ruling Georgian Dream party fast-tracked the bill, which sets an 80 per cent minimum for foreign nationals among participants, revised upward from an initial 70 per cent threshold.

The law defines a qualifying international gambling tournament as an event with a prize pool guaranteed in advance by the organiser. It introduces targeted incentives when prize pools exceed GEL3m (€1.05m).

Incentives and Tax Breaks for Large Tournaments

Casinos hosting qualifying tournaments using gaming tables exclusively for these events receive exemptions from normal gambling business fees. Foreign participants in tournaments above the GEL3m threshold are exempt from taxation on winnings, which are otherwise subject to a 20 per cent tax. Organisers may generate revenue from the tournaments, which can take place at licensed casino premises or approved external venues.

Legislators removed a proposed GEL150,000 fine for unauthorised organisers while retaining GEL50,000 fines for authorised operators that breach licensing requirements. The measure aligns with the soft launch in July of Georgia's new international igaming licence regime, which Random Systems Georgia (RSG) was designated to advise and oversee.

Political and Religious Opposition

The Georgian Orthodox Church Patriarchate and the Public Defender questioned the rationale for encouraging gambling-related events. Metropolitan Anton of Vani and Baghdati told local media: “We will discuss it and express our opinion. To tell you the truth, many things are unclear, but maybe they will explain it to us.” Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze expressed surprise at the proposal and recalled the Patriarchate's participation in the 2017 process to develop gambling regulations.

The For Georgia faction voted against the bill. Eka Sepashvili warned that “the draft law may lead to unwanted popularisation of these games, which is an important issue for society.” Shota Berekashvili, chair of Parliament’s Economic Policy Committee, defended the measure as a tourism initiative, stating: “These tournaments are, in a sense, similar to sporting competitions. Such tournaments are held in many European countries, and their main target is to develop the tourism industry. Participants gather together, and there can be thousands of them. These events are organised particularly during the off-season, when economic activity in the tourism sector is low, helping generate additional economic activity. This is not gambling in the direct sense of the word.”

Giorgi Sharashidze of For Georgia countered that the ruling party is attempting to turn Georgia into a gambling country under the guise of tourism promotion. The legislation highlights the government's focus on foreign visitors and off-season economic activity amid ongoing debate over its potential social impact.