Best Georgia Betting Sites

Georgia is a country that was part of the Soviet Union up until 1991. It is the homeland of famous athletes, like the retired football legends Kakha Kaladze and Shota Arveladze and basketball players Zaza Pachulia and Tornike Shengelia. Georgians have a great love for sports, mainly for football and rugby. Slowly but steadily, a strong betting environment developed in Georgia.

However, the first law to regulate online betting sites in Georgia was not introduced up until 2005. The Revenue Service was appointed as the official authority to oversee all gambling-related activities and issue the appropriate licenses. So far, there are quite a few licensed online bookmakers in the country, like Adjarabet, Crystalbet and Vivarobet. Local punters don’t miss out on placing their bets at international bookies like 1xBet and 888sport in their search for more diversity.

Best Online Betting Sites in Georgia

After meticulously checking all the top-quality Georgian betting sites, we’re showcasing the ones that offer the GEL currency, Georgian language, very high odds, as well as a wide array of betting markets and promotions.

Betting in Georgia - 5 things to know

• 1
  The legal minimum gambling age is 18
• 2
  Over 40% of the adult population engages in gambling on a monthly basis
• 3
  Betting and gambling revenue represent around 10% of the country’s income
• 4
  Local betting shops are very appealing to Turkish punters who often cross the border to bet
• 5
  The growth of online betting and gambling in 2018 was over 300% compared to 2017

General info

⏩Population: 3.800.000

⏩Active players: 650.000

⏩Currency: Georgian Lari (GEL)

⏩Regulated gambling products: Sports betting, casino games, horse racing, lottery

⏩Operator types: Licensed & unlicensed online betting sites and casinos, land-based betting shops & casinos

⏩Designated authority: Revenue Service

⏩Status: Regulated

Online Sports Betting in Georgia: The Gambling Framework

The law in effect today is the 2005 ‘Law of Georgia on Organizing Lotteries, gaming and winning games’. Initially put into effect on March 25, 2005, this gambling legislation received plenty of amendments over time.

The latest one came in 2011 and introduced a plan to expand gambling in the country through tax exemptions for operators opening betting shops and casinos in rural areas. Even though there were plans to ban online gambling and restrict gambling ads, there were no steps taken in that direction.

Moreover, even if online operators are obliged to have a land-based analogue in order to receive a license, there are no measures taken against unlicensed operators. This means that international non-licensed bookies are not restricted in Georgia, and there’s plenty of local competition, too, with sportsbooks like Adjarabet.ge, Vivarobet.ge, and Europebet.

So, when talking about sports betting, Georgia gives its players plenty of options to choose from. Online bookmakers don’t pay any licensing fee. However, betting shops are targeted with an annual operation fee that can vary from GEL 40.000 to GEL 300.000, depending on the region.

Sports betting is not taxed in Georgia, while other forms of gambling, such as casinos or lotteries, are taxed through a complex model that takes location and revenue into consideration.

Essential Information for Georgian Bettors

Winnings from sports betting, along with lottery winnings of over GEL 1.000, are taxed at 10%. However, this tax only applies if you bet on licensed bookmakers. As long as you opt for an international betting site in Georgia, you shouldn’t worry about any taxes or fees.

Ever since 2018, the authorities have been trying to clamp down on money laundering and excessive gambling. However, all the legislative proposals or discussions have been mainly targeting the casino industry. With no restrictions towards betting on international bookies, Georgian bettors can place their bets on any bookie that seems best for them.

Georgia Bet: How to Deposit at Online Bookies

Pick any sportsbook Georgia has to offer, and you will find numerous payment options to top up your account. Even though there are no restrictions on using credit or debit cards, Georgian bettors are big fans of e-wallets since they offer faster processing times and anonymity.

The most popular ones are Skrill, Neteller and Qiwi. No matter what deposit option you choose, bookmakers like 1xBet and Betwinner will allow you to bet using the GEL currency. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about currency conversion fees.

Also Read: Best Qiwi Bookmakers

Gambling Regulations in Close Regions

A closer examination of the rules implemented by nearby countries will always shed light on the existing frameworks for online gambling. It offers you valuable information that will help you enhance your knowledge. 

⏩ Azerbaijan: Ever since 2011, the market in the country has been fully regulated and legal. There is a company called eTopaz that runs a monopoly on local Azerbaijan betting sites and charges high taxes on winnings. This is why most players look for independent bookmakers to place their wagers. 

⏩ Turkey: Gambling in the country is currently regulated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. All land-based operators are legal, while only a handful of online Turkish betting sites have been completely licensed. The rest operate in a grey manner. 

⏩ Armenia: Gambling is legal in Armenia and there are even some bookmakers that have acquired a local license. What is shocking is that they will have to pay a 23% tax on their winnings. On the other hand, international Armenia betting sites are still able to attract users.  

The Future of Online Betting in Georgia

It looks like the Georgian authorities have found a balance between the local licensed bookmakers and the non-licensed operators. Since there are no restrictions for the latter, punters are free to choose where to place their bets.

Do keep in mind, though, that your winnings will be taxed at 10% when betting with local bookies. Issuing licenses to more international bookies would be beneficial for both the internal competition and the state budget.

However, there are no signs that the authorities are moving towards this direction and the offshore operators aren’t eager to apply for a license either. Therefore, it is at the state's discretion to decide how it wants to shape the future of the country's online betting market.