Georgia to Unveil iGaming Export Regime in August

Georgia.- 17 July 2026 www.zonadeazar.com Georgia will unveil a new regulatory regime in August 2026 for iGaming businesses serving international markets exclusively. The initiative aims to establish the country as a licensing, technology and investment hub for Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East without expanding domestic gambling participation.

News Details

The proposed framework will provide international online casino, sportsbook and gaming licences to companies targeting customers outside Georgia. Georgian consumers will remain expressly excluded, creating a clear separation between domestic gambling and export-oriented operations.

Licensed businesses would pay a 5% tax on gross gaming revenue, significantly below the rate applied to operators serving the local market. The regime will also emphasise strict anti-money laundering controls, know-your-customer requirements, transparent supervision, financial governance and corporate accountability.

The strategy is intended to attract foreign capital, highly skilled employment and digital export revenue. Georgia already hosts technology centres, live casino studios and customer service operations for international groups, alongside domestic companies including Spribe, SmartSoft, SMH Holdings and Adjara Group. The gaming sector accounts for approximately 2% to 3% of national GDP.

Industry Context

Government officials and industry stakeholders believe Georgia has already demonstrated its technical capabilities as a gaming development hub. The next challenge is to gain the confidence of international operators, foreign regulators, banks, payment providers and institutional investors.

The regime is designed to compete with established licensing centres such as Malta and Gibraltar, but through a proposition focused on institutional stability, financial credibility and legal certainty as well as competitive taxation.

Statements

Vakhtang Katamadze, Supervisory Board Member at RSG, said:

“August will be an opportunity for Georgia to present itself to the global industry, not simply as another licensing jurisdiction, but as a long-term investment destination.”

He also stated:

“Georgia is not trying to build a larger domestic gambling market. We are building an export industry.”

Katamadze added:

“We do not want to become the Malta of iGaming; we want to become its Switzerland. Operators are no longer choosing jurisdictions on tax alone, but on legal certainty, regulatory credibility and banking confidence.”

Next Steps or Impact

The official details of the regime will be presented in August. Its success will depend on consistent enforcement, international recognition and Georgia’s ability to persuade operators and financial institutions to establish long-term investment and operations in the country.

Edited by: @_fonta