Tbilisi, October 27, 2026. Georgia's Parliament approved a gambling reform in its first reading, with 74 votes in favor and eight against, backed by the ruling Georgian Dream party. The legislation seeks to authorize international casino tournaments, introduce tax incentives, and attract tourism. Competitions must guarantee prize pools in advance and have at least 70% foreign participants.
The initiative was introduced by lawmakers Shota Berekashvili, Chairman of Parliament's Economic Policy Committee; Tornike Berekashvili; Irakli Mezurnishvili, First Deputy Chairman of the same committee; and Giorgi Barvenashvili.
Tornike Berekashvili
The proposal would allow tournaments to take place inside licensed casinos or at external venues under a special permit costing GEL 100,000 annually (approximately US$38,600). When the guaranteed prize pool exceeds GEL 3 million (US$1.15 million) and gaming tables are used exclusively for the competition, operators could qualify for exemptions from the specific gaming table levy while retaining revenue generated by the event.
That levy currently ranges from GEL 4,000 to GEL 14,000 per table quarterly. The reform would also exempt prizes won by foreign participants in qualifying tournaments from income tax, while other taxable income would be subject to a 20% rate. The legislative package proposes fines of GEL 50,000 (US$19,270) for violating permit conditions and GEL 150,000 (US$58,000) for organizing unauthorized competitions, alongside possible permit revocations.
Lasha Khutsishvili
Berekashvili defended the accelerated legislative process, arguing that international tournaments could attract visitors and stimulate hotel activity during periods of lower tourism demand. Opposition lawmaker Giorgi Sharashidze, representing the For Georgia party, questioned the speed of the procedure and called for greater scrutiny.
The proposal would amend legislation governing gambling, licensing, gaming levies, and taxation. Its implementation would involve the Ministry of Finance, headed by Lasha Khutsishvili, and the Revenue Service, led by Mamuka Baratashvili since September.
The proposed framework would be separate from Georgia's international iGaming licensing regime approved on June 25, 2026, under Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's government. The land-based tournament reform must still complete the remaining parliamentary stages.
