In Georgia, oversight of gambling business licensing is being strengthened, with authorities planning a significant increase in fines for breaches of licence conditions.
Amendments to the Law “On Arranging Lotteries, Gambling and Prize Games” have been proposed by the government, which has submitted the draft legislation to Parliament. The document was prepared by the Ministry of Finance.
The document provides for an increase in fines for violations by casino licence holders—from 7,000 to 20,000 GEL (approximately $2,500 to $7,200).
For operators of slot machine salons, penalties will also rise — from 1,000 to 10,000 GEL (approximately $360 to $3,600).
Fines for holders of permits to operate gambling clubs are proposed to increase from 2,000 to 10,000 GEL (approximately $720 to $3,600).
A similar increase is planned for operators providing gambling and prize-based games, from 2,000 to 10,000 GEL (approximately $720 to $3,600).
At the same time, fines for operators of casinos, slot machines, and electronic totalizators are set to rise from 7,000 to 20,000 GEL (approximately $2,500 to $7,200).
According to the government, current penalties do not have a sufficient deterrent effect and fail to ensure effective prevention of violations. “In many cases, it is economically more rational for licence holders to breach conditions and pay the fine than to fully comply with the established requirements,” the government stated.
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