Georgia is set to introduce stricter regulations for the gambling sector, as a new legislative initiative proposes tougher sanctions for companies that fail to meet financial obligations. Under the draft law, operators who do not pay licensing fees on time will face automatic revocation of their permits, replacing the current system of financial penalties.
At present, late payments result in fines being tripled, but the government considers this mechanism ineffective. The proposed changes will apply to several segments of the industry, including online casinos, betting platforms, and electronic gaming services. Companies that lose their licenses will be required to reapply and pay full licensing fees again in order to resume operations.
The cost of re-entry into the market is significant. Annual licensing fees reach 5 million GEL for independent online casinos, 1 million GEL for online slot operations, and around 100,000 GEL for betting and gaming services, in addition to administrative service fees ranging from 5,000 to 30,000 GEL.
The bill also increases penalties for other violations. Fines will rise from 7,000 GEL to 20,000 GEL, with repeat violations reaching up to 60,000 GEL. The government expects these stricter rules to ensure timely payments and boost state budget revenues, as the sector currently includes 51 licensed operators, each contributing at least 100,000 GEL annually.
