People’s Power voted against amendments to gambling law

Sozar Subari, Vice Speaker of the Parliament and Chairman of the People’s Power party, explained why the political group voted against the bill amending the Law of Georgia on Organising Lotteries, Gambling and Other Prize Games.

According to Subari, given that the laws regarding gambling have been tightened, it would be appropriate to reduce the percentage of public participation in sports tournaments.

“In the previous convocation of Parliament, we significantly tightened legislation regarding the Georgian population’s involvement in gambling. If I recall correctly, you mentioned that a gambling tournament could potentially be held, in which 10,000 people might participate.

Thirty percent of 10,000 people amounts to 3,000 Georgian citizens, representing 0.1% of the population, which is a very high figure. This is not the type of legislation that carries substantial significance; why, then, are we adopting it through an expedited procedure? If a specific company intends to host a tournament of this nature, discussions should have begun earlier to allow more time for deliberation.

The party members said that their remarks to the bill had partially been taken into account and the majority increased the mandatory share of foreigners participating in gambling tournaments from 70% to 80%; however, members of the political group did not support the bill.

The Georgian Parliament passed, at third reading, the bill amending the Law of Georgia on Organising Lotteries, Gambling and Other Prize Games. Seventy-three MPs voted in favour and five against.