The monitoring system in Georgia has been operational since 2021, allowing for the daily receipt and analysis of company data. This system plays a crucial role in providing information to the tax inspectorate. However, as the gambling industry continues to adopt new technologies, it is important to continuously enhance the monitoring and accounting system for bets.

Both online and offline accounting will occur in real time, ensuring transparency in the business. The government, in collaboration with the community and business sector, remains steadfast in its efforts to combat illegal operators and disrupt their financial transactions. However, various methods exist for illegally funding accounts, including crypto wallets and e-money.

Experience has shown that the most effective way to combat illegal operators is through the development of local legal operators. Banning the industry only serves to promote the growth of illegal operators and increase illicit money circulation.

Payment systems in Georgia are robust and do not face the risk of being blocked for legal operators. Every operator must adhere to the rules set by the regulator and the National Bank, including user verification, identification systems, and compliance with AML and KYC regulations.

Online casinos in Georgia, being significant contributors to the state budget, are not at risk of being banned. Prohibiting online casinos would only facilitate the emergence of more illegal operators, which would harm the government and society. Experience from other countries has shown that bans have a negative impact on both society and the government.

Legal operators not only adhere to rules and pay taxes, but also contribute to the development of related industries like IT, payment systems, and sports. In 2022 alone, operators paid over 700 million GEL ($264 million) in taxes to the state budget. Therefore, it is essential for the gambling business to operate within the legal framework and be regulated by the state.

The state’s database on gambling addiction in Georgia may not provide a complete picture, as any citizen can voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling, not just with the state, but also with individual operators. Additionally, registered users may simply choose to restrict their own access to gambling without being classified as addicts.
Currently, there are 12,720 people registered in the database, with only 39 of them court-ordered. It is reasonable to consider these 39 individuals as gambling addicts. Even when including all registered individuals who have chosen to self-exclude from gambling, their percentage does not exceed the global average for gambling addiction, which stands at 0.3% of the country’s population.

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