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Obtain a Gambling License in Georgia: Legal Grounds, Procedure, and Requirements

Irakli

RegHub Georgia Specialist

Anyone planning to launch a casino, a betting platform, or an online gambling project must obtain a gambling license in Georgia. The country allows gambling in Georgia only with an official permit issued by the Revenue Service. This document confirms the legality of the business, opens the door to banking operations, and protects the investor from administrative trouble. Without a license, the activity is treated as illegal and prosecuted by law. Obtaining a gambling license in Georgia is the very first move toward building a stable and transparent entertainment project.

The national gambling system runs under tight supervision. All casinos, bookmakers, and online operators must register and connect to the Random Systems Georgia monitoring system. This setup prevents manipulation of gaming processes and guarantees fair betting. The gambling business in Georgia is regulated by Law No. 5448, which establishes unified standards for both land-based and online operators. The state monitors every transaction, licenses gaming software, and enforces strict player protection rules.

What Is a Gambling License in Georgia

In Georgia, a gambling license is an official state permission to run gambling operations. The Georgia Revenue Service gives this permission to a corporation to run games in person or online. Licensing includes bingo halls, casinos, lotteries, bookies, and promotional games. In Georgia, only a business that is legally registered there may get a gaming license. Having the license ensures that the operator observes the law, employs approved equipment, and follows the rules that have been set.

For a business, the license plays a protective role. It secures the company’s legal status and provides access to financial instruments. Without it, a gambling business in Georgia cannot operate lawfully, accept bets, or cooperate with banks. The licensing procedure reduces the risk of unfair competition and builds trust between the operator and the state.

The license also creates a structured control system over the operator’s activities. Every online casino in Georgia and every land-based casino must connect to the state monitoring platform Random Systems Georgia, ensuring full transparency of gaming processes. A licensed operator gains the right to open gaming halls, promote services within permitted limits, and participate in state tourism development programs. For an investor, obtaining a state gambling license in Georgia is a practical tool for entering a market where the rules are clear and oversight is predictable.

Regulatory Framework and State Supervision System

Gambling in Georgia is regulated at the level of laws and secondary legislation. The state has built a system that blends economic opportunity with firm oversight. The legal foundation is the Law of Georgia No. 5448 of December 9, 2011 “On Lotteries, Gambling and Other Prize Games.” It defines the types of permitted activities, the licensing procedure, and the obligations imposed on operators. Amendments adopted in 2020, 2022, and 2023 tightened control over the online sector, introduced age restrictions, and made it mandatory to verify players through the national registry of persons with gambling addiction.

A central role belongs to the gambling control system Random Systems Georgia. It operates under secondary regulations issued by the Ministry of Finance and provides continuous monitoring of gaming activity. Through this system, the state receives real-time data on bets, winnings, and cash flows. In addition, the following authorities are involved:

Main state authorities and their functions:

The legislation is structured around full lifecycle supervision — from issuing a permit to monitoring daily operations. This model keeps the market stable and ensures that every online casino in Georgia or land-based casino operates strictly within the law.

Types of Permits: How to Obtain a Gambling License in Georgia

A gambling license in Georgia comes in several categories. Each one corresponds to a specific type of activity and a distinct way of organizing games. The state clearly separates the rights and duties of operators, applying unified standards of regulation and control. To obtain a gambling license in Georgia, a company must first be registered in the country and prove it is ready to operate under the established requirements.

Each permit strengthens state supervision and ensures that the gambling business in Georgia operates legally, following clear principles of transparency and responsibility.

Interconnection Between Land-Based and Online Sectors (Permit Linkage)

One basic and stringent tenet of Georgia's gaming license system is the integration of land-based and online activities. In order to legally run an online casino in Georgia, a corporation must first possess a valid offline permission for a casino, bookmaker's office, or slot club, as stated in Law No. 5448. This strategy ensures that tax flows are transparent and managed by blocking operators who are solely virtual from operating without a physical presence in the country.

If a company wants to work only in the digital space, it must pay a special state fee of around five million GEL per year. This payment replaces the need for physical infrastructure and places online activity on the same level of responsibility as land-based operations. Such an approach allows the authorities to regulate online gambling in Georgia and prevents unlicensed foreign operators from quietly entering the market.

Requirements for Obtaining a Gambling License in Georgia

To obtain a gambling license in Georgia, an applicant must meet strict legal conditions. The state sets high standards aimed at protecting players and ensuring full transparency in the gambling business in Georgia. Compliance with these rules is not optional — it is a mandatory step before registering and submitting an application to the Revenue Service of Georgia.

1. Registration of a Legal Entity. The right to obtain a casino license in Georgia is granted only to companies registered within the country. Foreign investors may establish a subsidiary, but the license is issued exclusively to a Georgian resident entity. This rule secures tax control and ensures that the operator remains accountable to state authorities.

2. Reputation of Founders and Directors. All shareholders and managers undergo background checks. The law prohibits individuals with outstanding convictions for economic crimes or gambling-related offenses from managing such companies. This measure reduces the risk of dishonest management and strengthens trust in the gambling business in Georgia.

3. Financial Discipline. To obtain a gambling license in Georgia, the applicant must confirm the absence of tax debts. The review covers all fiscal obligations of both the company and its founders. Delayed payments or penalties imposed by tax authorities may lead to refusal.

4. Verification Against the Registry of Addicted Persons. Before a license is issued, authorities check the national registry of gambling-addicted individuals. Operators are strictly forbidden from accepting bets from persons listed there. This verification is required not only during registration but also throughout the ongoing operation of a gaming club or online casino in Georgia. Violating this rule may result in license revocation.

5. Age Restrictions. For Georgian citizens, the minimum gambling age is 25. Foreign participants are allowed from the age of 18. Age control is carried out through identity verification systems integrated into the operator’s platform. This requirement applies to all formats — casinos, bookmaker offices, lotteries, promotional games, and online gambling in Georgia.

Document Package

To receive a gambling license in Georgia, the applicant must compile and submit a specific set of documentation to the Revenue Service of Georgia. Each document confirms the company's legal status, financial stability, and technological readiness. The package is determined by the type of operation, such as a casino, a bookmaker, an online operator, or a business-to-business software provider.

Core document package for licensing a gambling business in Georgia:

This full package forms the foundation for verifying compliance with Georgian legislation. After submission, the Revenue Service evaluates the company’s legal clarity, financial condition, and technical preparedness. Only after a positive assessment can the applicant obtain a gambling license in Georgia and legally operate under the national gambling supervision system.

Procedure for Obtaining a Gambling License in Georgia

To obtain a gambling license in Georgia, you must follow a clearly defined sequence set by the state. The process is strictly regulated and includes several mandatory stages — from registering a company to connecting to the national monitoring system. Every step is documented and reviewed by the authorities.

The company is granted the legal authority to conduct business in Georgia upon the completion of these procedures. The license is a testament to the operator's compliance with legal requirements and the complete authorization of its wagering operations in Georgia within the state's regulatory framework.

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Validity Period and Renewal

A gambling license in Georgia is issued for a fixed term. For casinos, bookmaker companies, and online operators, the permit remains valid for five years. Organizers of promotional games receive authorization for one year only. Once the term expires, the operator must apply for renewal, confirming full compliance with legal requirements and the absence of financial violations.

Renewal is possible only if there are no outstanding debts, fines, or breaches recorded by the Revenue Service of Georgia or the Random Systems Georgia monitoring system. Tax settlements, financial reports, updated software details, and equipment lists are carefully reviewed. Any changes related to the business address, gaming structure, or technical tools must be registered within two days. Failure to notify on time is treated as a breach of license conditions. Respecting these rules ensures uninterrupted validity of the license and stable operation of the gambling business in Georgia.

Licensing Fees

Mandatory payments for conducting gambling activities in Georgia are defined by the Law “On the Organization of Lotteries, Gambling and Other Prize Games.” Fees are calculated quarterly and depend on the type of gaming infrastructure used.

For casinos, the calculation follows an object-based principle. Operating one gaming table is subject to a quarterly fee ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 GEL, while each slot machine requires payment of 2,000 to 4,000 GEL per quarter. Club tables fall under a separate range — from 4,000 to 14,000 GEL per quarter.

Prize draws are subject to a percentage fee equal to 10% of the established prize fund.

A separate framework applies to games conducted in a systematic electronic format. In such cases, the quarterly fee for card games, slot machines, and totalizators ranges from 250,000 to 300,000 GEL.

Lottery organization is taxed at 10% of the difference between total ticket sales and the prize fund amount.

The law also imposes a fee for each cashier operating electronic gambling or prize games outside a licensed venue. This quarterly charge ranges from 1,500 to 20,000 GEL.

Failure to pay the established fees is considered a violation of license conditions and may lead to suspension or revocation of a gambling license in Georgia.

Tax Obligations of Gambling Companies in Georgia

Under Law No. 5448 and the Tax Code of Georgia, gambling operators are subject to the following corporate income tax (CIT) rates:

• 5% — on profits derived from foreign citizens participating in gambling or totalizator games conducted in a systematic electronic format;

• 20% — on profits from slot machine operations or systematic electronic games, except for the portion taxed at 5%;

• 15% — the standard corporate tax rate for other types of activities.

Georgia's corporate tax is based on the Estonian system. It's only charged when money is given out as income. No tax is due as long as the profits stay in the business and are used to grow the business.

This year, the VAT rate is 18%. Once a business makes 100,000 GEL in sales in a year, it has to register for VAT. In Georgia, people who don't live there but provide digital services, like online game materials, are also required to pay VAT.

Post-Licensing Obligations and Compliance Requirements

Once a company manages to obtain a gambling license in Georgia, the real responsibility begins. The operator must follow a structured set of rules designed to ensure transparency, player safety, and operational integrity. Supervision is carried out by the Revenue Service of Georgia, the Financial Monitoring Service (FMS), and Random Systems Georgia. Oversight covers financial reporting, technical control, and continuous compliance with regulatory standards.

Core requirements for licensed gambling operators in Georgia:

Failure to meet post-licensing obligations leads to administrative and financial penalties. If an operator ignores reporting duties, fails to integrate with Random Systems Georgia, or violates KYC procedures and registry checks, the regulator may suspend the license. Repeated breaches can result in full revocation of the gambling license in Georgia and inclusion in the register of non-compliant companies. Additional fines apply, and operating without a valid permit is treated as illegal activity subject to complete termination.

Restrictions and Liability

A gambling license in Georgia works strictly within the limits set by law. It cannot be transferred to third parties. Any attempt to resell it, lease it out, or use it outside the registered legal entity is treated as a direct violation.

Organizing gambling in Georgia without a license leads to serious consequences. Fines can be substantial, and equipment may be confiscated. If the Revenue Service of Georgia detects breaches of license conditions, it has the authority to suspend the company’s operations until the violations are corrected. Repeated breaches result in full revocation.

Publishing advertising materials is permitted solely on the operator’s own websites and through targeted online channels aimed at adult users. These restrictions are designed to protect the public and promote a responsible approach to the gambling business in Georgia.

Gambling License in Georgia: Stability, Control, and Market Access

Georgia has built one of the most transparent and structured gambling licensing systems in Europe. The legal framework balances investment appeal with firm supervision of operators. Compliance, financial transparency, and accountability to players are not optional — they are the backbone of a successful gambling business in Georgia.

For foreign investors, the country remains open and practical. Clear rules, predictable taxation, and a technology-driven monitoring system create a stable working environment. Those planning on obtaining a gambling license in Georgia without unnecessary risks or costly mistakes are strongly advised to work with professional consultants experienced in licensing and compliance matters.