Georgia has completed the core infrastructure for the full-scale launch of an international iGaming licensing system. After months of development, the country aims to foster a favourable environment for companies looking to expand operations in both existing and new markets.
Random Systems Georgia (RSG), a division the government selected to help draft the new framework, announced this news. While the organisation serves as a tech and strategic consultant to the authorities, it is also responsible for monitoring and supervision of the global online gambling vertical.
The project’s scope goes far beyond just issuing operator licences. It involves creating a unified business ecosystem that integrates banking and fintech services, compliance checks, and BPO cases.
Casino Market's specialists examined the country’s recently introduced offers to deliver key insights. We help operators open iGaming startups in favourable GEOs.
From a Pilot Launch to International Scaling
The global online gambling certification system entered a test phase in July 2026. RSG created the platform to harmonise requirements and operations of the government, key financial institutions, and control bodies.
The list of involved parties includes:
- the banking sector;
- the Revenue Service;
- the Ministry of Finance;
- local regulatory authorities.
Plans for the project’s development were presented at the SBC Summit Tbilisi, held on July 15th-16th. Vakhtang Katamadze, RSG’s Board Member, discussed initiative prospects with Nika Gigashvili, SMH Global’s Co-Founder and CEO.
Concurrently, Georgia’s Parliament has adopted a legislative framework governing the issuance of permits for the global provision of online casino games, slots, and sportsbooks. The new regime does not permit state residents to participate in gambling activities conducted under this framework.
Reasons for Developing the Licensed Web Market
Tbilisi is home to various businesses. The capital hosts software providers, game studios, casino operators, and customer support teams that serve the international industry.
The city has become a development and distribution hub for the following leaders:
- EGT;
- Entain;
- Betsson;
- Evolution;
- Novomatic;
- Flutter International;
- SmartSoft, and others.
The licensing frameworks and much of the financial infrastructure these enterprises' activities depend on remain based outside Georgia. The new system aims to change this. The country intends to attract not only the technological and operational divisions of large brands but also a greater share of worldwide gambling transactions.
Mr Katamadze explained the project’s key goal. With the necessary foundation already in place, the initiative shows that the government can provide the regulatory certainty and institutional reliability global companies expect.
Terms for Cross-Border Licensing Within the Hub
The Georgia International Strategic Group (GISG) leads the promotion of the new system worldwide. Its representatives emphasise the need for seamless coordination between certification procedures, banking services, payments, taxation, oversight, and operational support. They believe this centralisation will grant firms more stability and predictability.
Mr Katamadze clarified that the government does not intend to create just another jurisdiction for obtaining licences. Their goal is to shape a country-level ecosystem for global web gambling.
The framework is designed to integrate key business components into a unified infrastructure. This platform will let operators focus on project development and customer acquisition without being distracted by ancillary tasks.
Certification Fees and Other Financial Obligations
According to the GISG’s members, the commercial proposal includes the following:
- 5-year licence;
- remote system connectivity;
- no need for a physical office in Georgia;
- 5% and 1% on GGR (gaming tax and monitoring);
- 0% CIT on reinvestment (15% levy only for distribution);
- access to corporate banking services and payment processing.
The flat government licence charge, both initial and annual, is GEL 100,000 (approximately $36,000) per category. The regulator’s first tech check costs GEL 35,000 per vertical, while control-system installation takes GEL 100,000, with VAT already included. Dividend withholding requires 5% (reduced under applicable DTT, calculated per the permit holder’s structure and GEO).
The benchmark for the provisional certificate, sufficient for tax registration, is 14−30 days, with audit and integration held in parallel. The final document is processed statutorily within 3 months. Another benefit is that operators are VAT-exempt and can claim a credit.
The GISG also offers turnkey support for $4,500 per month. The total financial burden for the whole authorisation will depend on each project’s specifics and applicable obligations.
The group’s representatives indicated that updated terms are being prepared, which are expected to be more favourable for operators. For instance, amendments to the e-GEL law are in progress to allow crypto transactions.
In essence, the country presents its international licensing framework as a comprehensive solution that integrates key components. The system wraps up authorisation, financial services, and operational support.
Target Markets for the Introduced iGaming Regime
A new Georgian gambling licence is perfect for operators looking to serve regions with fragmented infrastructure and limited expansion opportunities. With the permit, international businesses can enter the CIS, Central Asia, and beyond. Unlike Malta and Gibraltar, which are already well-established industry hubs, Georgia offers distinct advantages.
Its main benefits are:
- high technology penetration;
- geographical proximity to target markets;
- the ability to consolidate core processes within a single jurisdiction.
According to Mr Katamadze, the project is not intended to compete directly with mature centres. Instead, it aims to provide an alternative platform for companies seeking clear operational rules, low bureaucracy, access to payment infrastructure, and expansion opportunities. At the same time, the international regime will remain separate from the domestic gambling market.
Key Challenge: Earning Global Stakeholders' Trust
Despite claims that the infrastructure is ready, the initiative’s prospects depend on how effectively the new system works in practice. A legal model alone does not guarantee an influx of companies that offer services worldwide.
For large-scale, expanding enterprises, the following factors are critical:
- reliability of the banking sector;
- transparency of supervisory procedures;
- predictability in dealings with authorities, and others.
According to the GISG’s experts, the system’s initial components are already functional. Specifically, the group reports that operators are being connected to the banking infrastructure, the regulator is communicating within days, and preparations are underway for the first licensees to roll out their offers.
Mr Katamadze believes trust cannot be established by legislation alone. Instead, it must be earned through practical experience. Industry representatives do not need to take the word for it, as they can personally evaluate how the model works, gain real-world experience, and make informed final decisions.
The next phase involves confirming that the implemented conditions are viable. Good indicators include global brands' ability to operate stably and maintain efficiency as their projects scale.
The Main Things About Georgia’s International Licence
The country aims to turn its gambling development and distribution capabilities into a cross-border business hub. The framework already includes several clear benefits for prospective document holders, and more is coming as legislators continue to discuss amendments to the law.
Let us summarise key insights from the article:
- Integrated licensing ecosystem. Georgia is building a unified model combining certification, banking, payment processing, compliance, taxation, and operational support.
- Access to international markets. The regime targets brands seeking expansion into the CIS, Central Asia, and other regions, while excluding Georgian residents from gambling under the global initiative.
- Centralised business infrastructure. Companies can access corporate offers without establishing a physical office in the country, reducing the need to coordinate essential functions across multiple jurisdictions.
- Defined licensing conditions. The commercial proposal includes 5-year permits, a GEL 100,000 (about $36,000) government fee per category, and separate one-time tech assessment and system installation charges.
- Tax and financial incentives. The framework provides for 5% gaming and 1% monitoring levies on GGR (the only revenue-based burdens), alongside 0% CIT on reinvested profits, while distributed ones are subject to 15%.
- Potential expansion of payment options. Planned amendments to the e-GEL law could enable cryptocurrency transactions, although the changes are still in progress. Other improvements may also be introduced and implemented.
- Coordinated approval process. A provisional certificate for tax registration is expected within 14−30 days, while the final version is processed within 3 months, with audits and integration running in parallel.
- Gradual market rollout. The infrastructure has entered testing, and the first operators are reportedly connecting to established services in preparation to launch their offerings.
The long-term appeal of Georgia’s new model will depend on more than affordable permit costs and the eased tax burden. The quality of regulation, the accessibility of financial services, and the level of trust among international operators will be key factors in achieving sustained success.
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