Faruladze: Initiative Does Not Envisage Full Ban on Gambling Business, Aim Is Transition to "Monaco Model"

One of the leaders of the "National Movement", Lasha Faruladze, stated that the initiative they have voiced does not envisage a full ban on the gambling business. In doing so, he responded to the legislative package approved by parliament, which provides for the holding of international gambling tournaments in Georgia.

According to Faruladze, the goal is a fundamental transformation of the sector and a transition to the "Monaco model". Under this approach, the gaming business should be fully oriented toward the international tourist market, while gambling in both online and physical casinos should be strictly restricted for citizens of Georgia.

According to him, the matter concerns not only the problem of ludomania but also the flawed model of the country's economic development. Faruladze relies on official statistics from Geostat: in 2025, the turnover of the gaming business amounted to 88.3 billion lari, which is 34.8% of the total turnover of the business sector. Eight of the country's ten companies with the largest turnover operate in the field of gambling.

Regarding the social situation, Faruladze writes that, according to statistics, nearly one million citizens of Georgia are involved in gambling, and about 400 thousand are in the zone of clinical dependence. In his words, as a result, families are being destroyed and suicide statistics are rising.

Faruladze cites the Monaco model as an example showing that it is possible to exploit the tourist potential of the gaming industry in such a way that local residents do not become casino customers, while the country receives maximum financial benefit in the form of increased budget revenues.

In his own words, the initiative goes beyond narrow party interests and calls on all interested parties to engage in broad public discussion. Faruladze thanked the Patriarchate of Georgia and Patriarch Shio III for their principled position. "Our goal is not the destruction of business. We offer a model of regulation where the industry brings revenue to the state, while preserving citizens' future and ensuring their social protection", writes Faruladze.

Parliament approved, in an expedited manner and in the third reading, a package of legislative amendments, after which international gambling tournaments will be held in Georgia. The initiative was submitted by Georgian Dream deputies and adopted by 73 votes to 5. Two plenary sessions were devoted to considering and approving the project.