2021-11-22
We are primarily thinking of increasing taxes for online gambling, banning advertising and raising the threshold to 25 years. It was announced by Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia at the Executive Government Meeting today.
According to the Head of Government, 1.5 BLN GEL is drained out of the country through online gambling.
"Gambling and online casinos are a major concern of every citizen of the country. 1.5 BLN GEL is drained out of the country through online casinos. Our citizens, the youth, gamble every day and lose money. This amounts to 1.5 BLN GEL. I did have a conversation on this topic with our Economic Team. The Minister of Finance has a vision already. He will be presenting a legislative initiative to increase taxes for owners of online casinos. Absolute majority of them are foreign companies and unfortunately the money of our citizens - 1.5 BLN GEL - is draining for the benefit of foreign economies. Major part - 99% - of gamblers are socially vulnerable, who have no jobs.
We are primarily thinking of increasing taxes for online gambling, banning advertising and raising the threshold to 25 years. At a later stage, we will be banning online casinos altogether. It is my vision. I stand ready to openly talk about it and I hope that public support will follow. We will be working closely with the Parliament of Georgia to reach a joint, optimal and prudent decision" stated Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia.
Press Service of the Government Administration