New gambling bill to allow international poker tournaments in Georgia, with at least 70% foreign players - Shota Berekashvili
“The bill amending the Law on Organising Lotteries, Gambling and Other Prize Games will change the rules on holding international tournaments in Georgia and bring them under regulation,” MP Shota Berekashvili, chair of Parliament’s Economic Policy Committee, told Georgian Public Broadcaster’s First Channel.
He said such tournaments would help keep tourist activity high in tourist regions such as Adjara in February, March and April.
“There were previously no regulations on this in the law. When we talk about holding an international tournament in Georgia, we mean, for example, the European Poker Tour, which is held in almost every European capital. It is a sporting competition in poker: players compete in a tournament, and a winner emerges. These amendments tighten the regulations governing the hosting of such tournaments in Georgia. Crucially, it is now mandatory for at least 70% of participants to be foreign nationals, capping Georgian representation at 30%. All current legal restrictions on the gambling industry remain firmly in force. The initiative aims to support the tourism sector during the off-season, when visitor numbers to Georgia typically decline. Holding such tournaments will help keep tourist activity high in tourist regions such as Adjara in February, March and April. All of this will have a positive effect on economic activity,” Berekashvili said.
Parliament has passed the bill amending the Law on Organising Lotteries, Gambling and Other Prize Games at its first reading.
Most Read
Other News
New gambling bill to allow international poker tournaments in Georgia, with at least 70% foreign players - Shota Berekashvili
28.10.2026.21:51
“The bill amending the Law on Organising Lotteries, Gambling and Other Prize Games will change the rules on holding international tournaments in Georgia and bring them under regulation,” MP Shota Berekashvili, chair of Parliament’s Economic Policy Committee, told Georgian Public Broadcaster’s First Channel.
He said such tournaments would help keep tourist activity high in tourist regions such as Adjara in February, March and April.
“There were previously no regulations on this in the law. When we talk about holding an international tournament in Georgia, we mean, for example, the European Poker Tour, which is held in almost every European capital. It is a sporting competition in poker: players compete in a tournament, and a winner emerges. These amendments tighten the regulations governing the hosting of such tournaments in Georgia. Crucially, it is now mandatory for at least 70% of participants to be foreign nationals, capping Georgian representation at 30%. All current legal restrictions on the gambling industry remain firmly in force. The initiative aims to support the tourism sector during the off-season, when visitor numbers to Georgia typically decline. Holding such tournaments will help keep tourist activity high in tourist regions such as Adjara in February, March and April. All of this will have a positive effect on economic activity,” Berekashvili said.
Parliament has passed the bill amending the Law on Organising Lotteries, Gambling and Other Prize Games at its first reading.
