Georgia to Unveil International iGaming Export Regime in August

Georgia to Reveal International iGaming Export Regime in August – Government Seeks to Position Country as Licensing Hub for Foreign-Focused Operators

Key Takeaways

• Georgia plans to present an official international iGaming export regime in August 2026.
• The proposed framework will offer licences exclusively to operators targeting customers outside Georgia.
• International licence holders would pay a 5% tax on gross gaming revenue.
• The regime emphasizes AML controls, KYC requirements, and financial supervision.
• iGaming-related activity currently accounts for approximately 2-3% of Georgia’s GDP.

Georgia Prepares Dedicated Licensing Framework for Foreign Markets

Georgia is set to unveil a new international iGaming export regime in August 2026, according to statements made by government officials and policy advisers during SBC Summit Tbilisi on 15-16 July. The initiative is designed to establish the country as an international licensing jurisdiction for operators serving customers outside Georgia.

Under the proposed legislation, licences would be available exclusively to online casino, sportsbook and gaming companies targeting foreign markets. Georgian consumers would remain outside the scope of the new regime. The model is structured as an export framework for gambling services, solutions and technologies rather than an expansion of the domestic gambling market.

Vakhtang Katamadze, Supervisory Board Member of RSG and a key policy stakeholder, said the August presentation will aim to demonstrate that Georgia can offer regulatory certainty and institutional credibility to international businesses. According to Katamadze, the objective is to position Georgia as a long-term investment destination rather than simply another licensing option.

From Technology Hub to Regulatory Gatekeeper

For several years, Georgia has developed a significant presence in the operational side of the global gambling industry. Major operators including Flutter Entertainment, Betsson and Entain have established technology centres, live casino studios and customer support operations in Tbilisi. In addition, local companies such as Spribe, SmartSoft, SMH Holdings and Adjara Group operate in the sector.

The gambling-related industry generates an estimated 2-3% of Georgia’s gross domestic product. While international operators have already built technical and engineering capacities in the country, licensing activity has traditionally remained concentrated in jurisdictions such as Malta and Gibraltar.

The new export regime is intended to shift that dynamic by adding a regulatory layer to Georgia’s existing operational ecosystem. Officials describe the goal as becoming a regulatory gateway for Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. Recognition from foreign governments, regulators and financial institutions will be central to that ambition.

Tax Structure and Competitive Positioning

According to the proposals outlined at the summit, international licence holders would pay a 5% tax on gross gaming revenue. This rate is lower than the tax applied to operators serving the domestic Georgian market.

However, policymakers have indicated that taxation is not the sole focus of the framework. Katamadze stated that operators increasingly prioritize legal certainty, regulatory credibility and access to stable banking relationships when selecting a licensing jurisdiction.

The regime is therefore designed to compete not only on cost but also on institutional standards. The distinction is presented as a strategic choice to avoid competing solely on speed of licensing or low fiscal burdens.

Focus on AML, KYC and Financial Infrastructure

A central element of the proposed framework is its emphasis on anti-money laundering controls, know-your-customer obligations and transparent supervisory oversight. Officials have indicated that rigorous compliance standards are intended to differentiate Georgia from jurisdictions that historically focused primarily on rapid licensing processes.

Financial governance and access to reliable banking services are also highlighted as core components of the project. As operators face increasing scrutiny from banks, payment providers and investors, the ability to demonstrate strong compliance standards is positioned as a prerequisite for long-term credibility.

Katamadze emphasized that the licence itself represents only one component of the offering. In his view, the broader objective is to provide confidence to operators, suppliers and financial institutions that supervisory standards meet international expectations.

Separation Between Domestic and Export Markets

The proposed model maintains a clear separation between Georgia’s domestic gambling environment and the new export regime. Licences issued under the framework would apply solely to companies serving foreign customers.

This approach aims to attract foreign capital, generate export revenues and create high-value employment without expanding gambling participation within Georgia. By structuring the regime as an export industry, policymakers seek to balance economic objectives with domestic regulatory considerations.

For international operators and suppliers, the model offers a potential additional licensing option in a jurisdiction that already hosts established technical operations. However, long-term recognition will depend on how the framework is implemented and supervised once enacted.

Our Assessment

Georgia plans to introduce an international iGaming export regime in August 2026, offering licences exclusively to operators targeting foreign markets and applying a 5% gross gaming revenue tax. The framework emphasizes regulatory certainty, AML and KYC compliance, and financial supervision, while maintaining separation from the domestic gambling market. The initiative builds on Georgia’s existing role as a technology and service hub in the global gambling sector and seeks to add a formal licensing layer to that ecosystem.