Players take up Georgia’s gambling self-exclusion scheme after reforms
Registration is on the up after the self-registration process was made easier.
Georgia.- The Georgian Revenue Service has reported a rise in the number of people registering for the Caucasus nation’s gambling exclusion database since reforms were introduced early in the year. The number of people registered has risen by around 4,000 since early May, reaching nearly 30,500.
Only 59 of the people listed were added by court order, meaning that the vast majority registered for self-exclusion to voluntarily block themselves from gambling. The increase has been attributed to reforms introduced to make self-registration easier. Players can now register for the scheme using biometric identification without the need for prior approval.
“The system offers a confidential and secure way for individuals to protect themselves from gambling addiction,” the Revenue Service.
People listed are blocked from all forms of gambling, both online platforms and land-based with the exception of prize-based promotional games. Registration is for five years and removal is only possible with a loss of Georgian citizenship or by court decision at least three years after registration in the case of court orders.
Meanwhile, casinos in Azerbaijan look set to be legalised again, reversing a ban introduced in the neighbouring South Caucasus nation over 25 years ago. The proposed legislation contained in articles 22.0.42 and 23.2-1 of the Law on State Fees would specifically allow casinos on artificial islands in the Caspian Sea.
MP Vugar Bayramov, a member of the Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Committee, cited the case of Georgia as part of the rationale.
“Although Georgia is smaller than Azerbaijan in territory and population, it leads in tourism revenues,” he told Report news agency. “A significant portion of Georgian casino revenues comes from foreign clients, including tourists from Azerbaijan.”
