Introducing new concessions for the gambling industry is tantamount to announcing a new social catastrophe for the citizens of Georgia – Irakli Kupradze

According to Irakli Kupradze, General Secretary of "Lelo – Strong Georgia," legislative amendments recently adopted by the government through an expedited procedure provide for additional concessions for the gambling industry—a move he believes will further exacerbate social problems in the country.

Kupradze notes that while the Constitutional Court is deliberating on the potential banning of opposition parties, the government is pushing through decisions in Parliament that benefit the gambling sector.

"Ivanishvili and the 'non-Georgian Dream' have surreptitiously introduced a bill via an expedited procedure, effectively gifting funds—which should have gone into the state budget—to various gambling companies." "This is the gambling business, which belongs to individuals linked to the 'non-Georgian Dream'—and to donors of their political party," stated Kupradze.

According to him, data from the National Statistics Office of Georgia indicates that the turnover of the gambling sector in the country reached 88 billion GEL in 2025, while in the first two quarters of 2026, this figure stood at 47 billion GEL. Kupradze asserts that the gambling sector accounts for 35% of the country's total business turnover.

The opposition politician argues that the government is granting concessions to the gambling industry at a time when the country faces unresolved social and infrastructural challenges—including the construction of schools and kindergartens, the provision of drinking water, and the improvement of road infrastructure in rural areas.

Kupradze stated that gambling has harmed hundreds of thousands of individuals and families, resulting in citizens losing their savings, wages, and homes.

He further noted that, according to the position of "Lelo – Strong Georgia," the gambling... The gambling business and casino owners should be subject to a significantly higher tax rate than the current 20%.

Citing several European countries as examples, Kupradze noted that the tax rate on the gambling industry is 45% in Austria, 37.8% in the Netherlands, 35% in Greece, and 28% in Denmark.

"Regardless of the course of action Ivanishvili chooses to pursue—whether it be banning, abolishing, or rooting out the industry—we will continue to expose his oppressive regime and defend the interests of Georgian citizens. Georgia is not a cash register for an 'un-Georgian Dream'; it belongs to the citizens of Georgia, and 'Lelo – Strong Georgia' will stand up for their interests," stated Irakli Kupradze.

For reference: Parliament has reviewed and approved—via an expedited procedure and in the third reading—a package of legislative amendments that will enable the hosting of international gambling tournaments in Georgia.