Online gambling regulations in Georgia are built on the eleventh article of the Law of Georgia on Lotteries, Gambling and Other Profitable Games: it is there that the types of permits are listed, including permits for systematic-electronic organization and for international organization. On this page we explain which permit is needed for what, for what term it is issued, how internet domains are regulated, what documentation a supply permit requires and how electronic cashiers operate. Legal.ge assists online operators in planning and fulfilling these requirements.
Types of permit: the online forms are defined by law
The first paragraph of the eleventh article establishes the full list: permits are required for organizing incentive games, casinos, totalizators, halls of gaming machines, lotto, bingo and gambling clubs, as well as for the systematic-electronic organization of casino, gaming-machine and totalizator games, for their international organization, and for the supply of gambling and/or profitable games. For the online segment, the decisive items are precisely the systematic-electronic organization and international organization permits.
The international organization permit is distinguished by one feature: participation in it is not allowed for citizens of Georgia. A permit is issued only to an entrepreneur registered in Georgia, and where recognized tax arrears exist, the permit is not issued at all (except for incentive games).
Terms: 5 years, 1 year and the residue of a base permit
Permits for organizing a casino, a totalizator and a hall of gaming machines, for systematic-electronic organization and for international organization are issued for a term of 5 years. The permit for organizing an incentive game is issued for 1 year. Permits for organizing lotto and bingo, and for supply, are likewise issued for 5 years. Where a systematic-electronic permit has been issued on the basis of a permit to organize a casino, a hall or a totalizator, it remains in force for the residual term of that permit; a gambling-club permit is likewise issued for the residue of the base permit, and only within the municipality of Tbilisi.
The one-domain rule and the fate of the base permit
Under each permit for the systematic-electronic organization and international organization of casino, gaming-machine and totalizator games, only one website organized under a single internet domain name is allowed — so an operator needs as many permits as it has online brands.
When the base permit is suspended, online activity is allowed for the current quarter, but for no more than 60 calendar days; in each subsequent quarter it may continue only if the physically equipped object is renewed for at least 30 days. The cancellation of the base permit cancels the systematic-electronic permit issued on its basis. In addition: it is prohibited to organize online games at an internet-service facility and to place computers at an object designated for gambling for the purpose of participation; and the transfer of a permit to another person is impermissible.
Documentation for the supply permit
To obtain a permit for the supply of gambling and/or profitable games, the permit seeker must submit to the Revenue Service, in addition to the documents provided for by the Law on Licenses and Permits: a list and detailed description of the games to be supplied and/or of the essential products or services; an authorization certificate confirming compliance with the standards introduced by the Minister of Finance; a certificate on the criminal record of the manager, founder/partner and beneficial owner, issued by the competent authority of the relevant country; and a document confirming the origin of the funds needed to pay the permit fee.
A substantial change — a change in the jackpot payout rule, any change to existing games or the addition of new ones — requires the consent of the Revenue Service and a new authorization certificate; without consent, the supply of a substantially changed game is prohibited. The supplier submits a copy of its contract with an organizer no later than 3 days after execution, and notifies changes no later than 2 days after they are made.
The rules on electronic cashiers
The twenty-eighth article regulates the cashiers of the systematic-electronic organizer: the organizer may use the cashiers existing at objects organized under permits issued in its own name, may arrange cashiers at objects organized under permits issued to other persons, and, upon payment of the gaming-business fee, may also arrange a cashier located outside the object, where funds are deposited into a player's account or paid out from it.
Special regimes and the assistance of Legal.ge
When a state of emergency and/or a state of war is declared, the Government is empowered to introduce a different regime for permit activity, and the rules for disposing of the funds in a player's account upon the termination or cancellation of the activity are established by the Minister of Finance. It is also impermissible for participation in a gambling game to offer the possibility of receiving winnings in kind. Precise planning of these regulations is the foundation of a business model — Legal.ge helps you choose the right permits, prepare the documentation and manage the deadlines.