The Systemic-Electronic Form and Its Permit
In Georgian law, an online casino is officially the organization in a systemic-electronic form of casino games — the conduct of games using the internet, telephone and/or specially equipped electronic means, in compliance with the requirements established by law. This activity requires a permit and is singled out as a separate category by the eleventh article of the law.
An important property of the permit is its dual nature: it may be issued both on the basis of a permit for organizing a casino and without it. The choice of basis means a different permit fee and term — a permit issued on a basis remains in force for the remaining term of that basis. Moreover, a single permit allows the organization of no more than 2 websites under internet domain names: where two domains exist, one is used for players holding Georgian citizenship and the other for players holding foreign citizenship.
The Rules and the Consent
The defining document of the online regime is the rules of the systemically-electronically organized game. Under the article 20-1 of the law, the holder of a casino organization permit, when organizing a gambling game in a systemic-electronic form, submits these rules, together with documents and information, to the Revenue Service in order to obtain its consent. Thus, for the holder of a casino permit the online expansion is not an independent decision — it passes through the regulator's consent procedure.
The content of the rules is established by law: they must indicate the actual address from which the management and organization of the game will take place; the list and description of the games; the procedure, place and limited deadline for paying winnings; the procedure and deadline for examining claims; and, where the game is conducted via the internet — the address of the website, the player registration procedure and the rules of deposit and balance management.
The Mandatory Content of the Website
The law directly establishes that the website must indicate, in Georgian, the name of the organizer of the game, its legal address, telephone number, the number of the corresponding permit, the list of games and detailed rules, as well as information on the prohibition of participation in the game for Georgian citizens under 25, foreign citizens or stateless persons under 18, and persons included in the lists of dependent and prohibited persons. Where the game is conducted by telephone, a number registered in Georgia is required.
The Supply Permit and Authorization
Where the operator uses games or essential products supplied by another person, the supply permit regime joins the picture. Under the article 24-1 of the law, the seeker of this permit submits a list and detailed description of the games or essential products to be supplied, an authorization certificate confirming compliance with the standards of the minister of finance, certificates of the criminal record of the management circle, and a document on the origin of funds.
The regime of substantial change is particularly important: where a supplied game or essential product changes substantially — including a change of the jackpot payment rule, any change of existing games or the addition of new ones — the permit holder is obliged to obtain the consent of the Revenue Service and submit a new authorization certificate; without consent, the supply of a substantially changed game is prohibited. A change is substantial if it concerns the bet, the amount of winnings, the architecture of the game, the combination lines, the random number generation platform or the jackpot system. The supplier submits a copy of the contract with the organizer no later than 3 days from its conclusion, and notifies of changes within 2 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many websites are possible under one permit?
No more than 2 internet domain names; with two domains, one serves Georgian players and the other foreign players.
Is the regulator's consent needed?
Yes — the holder of a casino permit submits the rules of the systemic-electronic game to the Revenue Service for consent, together with the accompanying documents.
What must be on the website in Georgian?
The organizer's name, legal address, telephone, permit number, the list of games and detailed rules, and information on age-related and list-based prohibitions on participation.
What happens when a game changes?
A substantial change — the bet, winnings, architecture, combinations, the random number platform, the jackpot — requires the service's consent and a new authorization certificate; without consent, supply is prohibited.
How We Help on Legal.ge
The Legal.ge team fully guides the permitting process of an online casino: from drafting the rules and preparing the website's content to the consent procedure and the coordination of authorization certificates.
Contact us through Legal.ge — the online format must be assembled precisely in the language of the law, and we do this at every level.
One further note from practice: the quality of the rules often fails precisely in details — the address reflecting the place of management, the limited deadline for paying winnings, or the formulation of claim examination. These elements are named by law, and their imprecise drafting slows the consent procedure. Our approach is built on the precision of the first version of the rules.