The Bookmaker in the Georgian Permit System
An activity based on sports betting — a bookmaker — falls within the regime of profitable games in Georgian legislative terminology: among profitable games the law defines the totalizator — a game conducted on the forecasts of players of the course of a competition, a game or the result of some event, by placing bets, where the winnings depend on the size of the bet and the result. A bet on the results of sporting competitions fits precisely into this construction, and the permit route begins here.
Under the third article of the law, a totalizator is conducted in a specially equipped building or part of it, and under the consolidated edition — also in a systemic-electronic form: the conduct of the game using the internet, telephone and/or specially equipped electronic means. Note also the prohibition: the organization of a totalizator is impermissible where the result may be known in advance to one or both parties — this rule concerns the integrity of competition data.
Permit Categories
Under the eleventh article of the law, the organization of a totalizator and the organization of totalizator games in a systemic-electronic form are subject to permitting; the list also includes the supply of gambling and/or profitable games. Permits are issued only to an entrepreneur registered in Georgia; a totalizator organization permit is issued for 5 years, and the systemic-electronic form — for the remaining term of the basis, only on the basis of a totalizator organization permit. A single systemic-electronic permit allows no more than 2 websites under internet domain names.
The distinct routes of the stationary and online formats lie precisely in these categories: a network of points is covered by the totalizator organization permit for physical objects, while online supply proceeds under a separate permit and a separate set of rules. The conduct of profitable games segregated from each other is a rule established by law.
Documentation and Regulations
The twelfth article of the law establishes the documents needed for a profitable game organization permit. Submitted are: a contract with the person preparing the tickets — indicating the quantity and numbering of the tickets to be prepared; the conditions of the game — the regulations; a sample of the ticket with anti-forgery marks, signed by the permit seeker. In the case of a totalizator, additionally: a document confirming the securing of the prize fund in an amount of no less than 10 000 lari, and an authorization certificate for the terminals.
In the regulations the law requires clear parameters: the duration and place of the game; the place, date and limited deadline for paying winnings — a total deadline of 30 calendar days from the draw, and payment within no more than 6 days from the presentation of a winning ticket; the procedure and deadline for examining claims — no more than 30 calendar days from origin. For the systemic-electronic form, the rules of the game are needed — with the actual address of management, the list of games, the procedure and deadline for paying winnings, the website address and the rules of player registration and deposit management.
The requirement of Georgian-language website content also applies here: the organizer's name, legal address, telephone, permit number, the list of games and detailed rules, as well as information on the prohibition of participation for Georgian citizens under 25 and foreigners under 18.
Two practical conclusions follow from this regime. First: planning a bookmaker project begins with the ticket cycle — the contract with the printer, with quantity and numbering, is a document established by law, and its reconciliation with the production schedule precedes the calendar of the game. Second: the parameters of the relationship with the player — the deadlines of payment and the examination of claims — are fixed in the regulations themselves, and their precise drafting is both a permit and a reputational matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which permit does a bookmaker need?
A model based on sports forecasts falls within the totalizator regime: stationary activity proceeds under a totalizator organization permit, and the online one — under a permit for organizing games in a systemic-electronic form, issued on the basis.
Within how many days are winnings paid?
The total deadline established by the regulations is 30 calendar days from the draw, and payment from the presentation of a winning ticket must occur within no more than 6 days.
Which certificates does a totalizator need?
For terminals — an authorization certificate confirming the compliance of the device with the standards of the minister of finance; the prize fund itself stands on securing of no less than 10 000 lari.
Is an online-only format possible?
The systemic-electronic permit depends on a totalizator organization permit — it is not issued without the basis, so the online route is not fully independent.
How We Help on Legal.ge
The Legal.ge team guides the permit plan of a bookmaker in both formats: from the choice of categories and the drafting of regulations to the ticket infrastructure and the website's content.
Contact us through Legal.ge — every detail of a sports betting business must be assembled in the language of the law, and we do this from the first day of the project.