06 Dec, 2021
Statement of George Mamulaishvili, Head of Administration of "Georgian Gambling Association".
According to George Mamulaishvili, the head of the administration of the "Georgian Gambling Association", the restriction of legal operators will lead to the activation of citizens in an illegal direction, for which no one wants to take responsibility.
George Mamulaishvili spoke about this on the air of Formula TV:
"If we restrict legal operators in Georgia, the player will still find a way to switch to other, including illegal, sites, returning to the so-called The principles of hand-me-downs that used to be there and the country has come a long way to eradicate that. Analysis of possible negative consequences has not been done and no one wants to take responsibility. Part of the population is involved in illegal games."
"This amounts to 120 million GEL per year, and according to our calculations, it will increase at least ten times, but a complex approach is needed here as well. A person aged 18 to 25 who gets used to illegal sites and their bonuses will not return to the Georgian market. Today, there are many ways to access the Internet and transfer money. I'm not even talking about plastic cards."
"I mean electronic wallets, cryptocurrencies. Already, too many illegal cryptocasinos have started advertising their products in the space of Georgia. The increase in the tax burden, which is already high today - the average business tax burden is 9.9%, and the gaming business burden is 40%, will lead to the rejection of many social projects, the reduction of costs with various dependent areas and optimization."
"That's why everything has to be discussed in a complex manner. Based on the current situation, no one will look towards Georgia for at least three years. About 10 companies have already refrained from entering the Georgian market, such a categorical tone is quite damaging for any business."
We remind you, according to Gharibashvili, the total taxable base of the online gaming sector will increase by 70%; Citizens of Georgia under the age of 25, socially vulnerable persons, civil servants, persons who apply to the Revenue Service with a request for self-limitation, as well as persons who will be blacklisted at the request of family members through the court, are prohibited from participating in gambling games. All kinds of television advertising of the gaming business, as well as outdoor advertising and placement of advertising on Georgian websites, will be prohibited.
After announcing the Prime Minister's decision, the Association of Georgian Gambling held a press conference and stated its position.
"Gaming business in Georgia today is fully legal, transparent and regulated, which is evidenced by the fact that both the largest international companies and regulatory organizations of the gaming business of different countries are interested in the Georgian market, both regionally and globally."
"In today's context, if the government maintains a unilateral position and does not start a constructive dialogue with business, we will be forced to optimize expenses accordingly, refuse a number of social or other projects, including sponsorship, and since the sports part of business is meaningless with the announced changes, business will be forced to discuss the issue of shutting down the sports product, the online totalizer," said George Mamulaishvili, Head of the administration of the Georgian Gambling Association.
