Georgia launches international igaming licence system
The framework combines licensing, banking and payments for operators targeting international customers.
Key takeaways:
- Georgia’s new igaming licensing framework covers international operations, excluding Georgian citizens.
- Operators face a 5 per cent GGR tax plus a 1 per cent regulatory monitoring fee, alongside an annual permit fee on five-year licences
- The first licensees are preparing to launch.
Georgia.- Random Systems Georgia (RSG), the firm designated by the Georgian government to regulate gambling and advise on technology and policy, has announced the full launch of Georgia’s international igaming licence regime. The framework allows operators targeting players outside of Georgia to apply for five-year licences along with banking, payments and compliance services.
The regime saw a soft launch in July. Operators cannot serve Georgian citizens. Commercial terms promoted by Georgia International Strategic Group (GISG) include a five-year licence, access to Georgian corporate banking, and arrangements for gambling-coded MCC 7995 payment processing. Operators face a 5 per cent tax on gross gaming revenue plus a 1 per cent regulatory monitoring fee along with an annual permit fee.
Reinvested profits are subject to 0 per cent corporate tax, and onboarding can be completed remotely, with no requirement for a physical office in Georgia. The country already has a strong presence of software providers, live casino operations, game studios and customer-support functions serving international companies.
Vakhtang Katamadze, a supervisory board member at Random Systems Georgia, has described the approach as creating a country-level ecosystem rather than a standalone licensing jurisdiction.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- What is Georgia’s international igaming licence? It’s a regime for operators serving international customers, covering online casino games, slots and sports betting while excluding Georgian citizens from participation.
- How much tax do international igaming operators pay in Georgia? Operators face a 5 per cent tax on gross gaming revenue plus a 1 per cent regulatory monitoring fee, presented as a combined 6 per cent charge, as well as an annual permit fee.
- Does Georgia’s international igaming regime require a local office? No. Onboarding can be completed remotely without requiring operators to maintain a physical office in Georgia.
