Although only a small country of 4 million citizens, Georgia has been at the forefront of iGaming, as one of the leaders in legalizing online gambling back in 2005. As a result, locals can bet on one of the 10 licensed brands such as Betlive, Crystalbet or Europebet, to name a few.
This comes at a cost though. With a tax of 15% for winnings exceeding 1,000 Laris, bettors see a significant portion of their bankroll chunked when playing locally. To combat this, Georgians steer their attention to international bookmakers where winnings are tax-free and higher odds are offered.
Follow us as we highlight the best betting sites in Georgia, key insights of the regulation and everything you need to know to start betting right away. Before we dive deeper, these are our 3 top bookies you can try.
Bookmaker Comparison | Local Licensed | International |
Licensing | Revenue Service | Malta, Curacao, Kahnawake and other international regulators |
Payments | Debit Cards, Credit Cards, Neteller, Ecopayz, and Skrill | Debit Cards, Credit Cards, E-wallets, Cryptos, 30+ Other Options |
User Experience | Fully localized for Georgians (language, currency) | Limited sites with Georgian language + support |
KYC Verification | Mandatory | Depending on the website |
Taxation | 15% on Winnings | No Taxation |
As you can see, the taxation rates are pretty steep in Georgia. This has led a lot of players to sign up and place their wagers on international betting sites that provide services to locals.
Full List of Georgia Betting Sites
How to Find the Best Georgian Betting Sites
Before opening a betting account, you must ensure the site meets all your requirements. Some of the criteria you should evaluate include the following:
Sports & Markets
First and foremost, you must check if the bookie offers competitive odds on all sports you enjoy betting on. In addition, you need sites with a wide range of selections to choose from.
Live Betting
Pre-match betting is not the most important aspect of online gambling. Most players prefer placing wagers after an event starts. This is why you must play on sportsbooks that offer high prices in all in-play markets for your favorite sports.
Features
An avid bettor uses all the tools in their hands to increase their chances of success. Over the last few years, bookmakers have introduced several features, namely Live Streaming, Bet Builder, or Cash Out, that you can use to create new strategies.
Payments
Most Georgian residents use credit cards, e-wallets, or cryptocurrencies to fund their betting accounts. Even though almost all sites include them in their offering, you should always check before opening an account.
Local Options
The best betting sites in Georgia will offer players the chance to navigate the sportsbook in the local language and even be able to perform transactions with the local currency (GEL). This makes it easier for users.
What You Need to Know About Online Betting in Georgia
Active Players | Legal Age | Local Currency | Player Protection |
1,200,000+ | 18+ | Georgian Lari (₾) | Revenue Service |
The minimum legal age for online betting in Georgia was 18, with over 40% of the population engaging in gambling activities yearly. Moreover, the gambling revenue represents 10% of the country’s total income. The overall growth in interest in online betting has exploded in the last decade, leading the government to take serious action.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Georgia?
The law in effect today is the 2005 ‘Law of Georgia on Organizing Lotteries, gaming and Winning Games’, and the authority that oversees all activities is the Georgian Revenue Service. Before 2024, the last action was back in 2011, when a plan to expand gambling in the country through tax exemptions for operators opening betting shops and casinos in rural areas was introduced.
The increase in betting activities, though, saw a huge backlash, leading to more restrictions. Firstly, new regulations restrict online gambling to government employees, those claiming benefits, and those who are under 25. On the other hand, it was announced that from December 1st, 2024, online operators would be recognized as ‘offshore’ and could offer their services to locals under a different tax system.
Do I Have to Pay Taxes on My Winnings?
Sports betting is not taxed in Georgia, while other forms of gambling, such as casinos or lotteries, are taxed through a complex model that considers location and revenue. Winnings from sports betting and lottery winnings of over ₾1,000 are taxed at 15%. However, this tax only applies if you bet on licensed bookmakers. If you opt for an international betting site in Georgia, you shouldn’t worry about taxes or fees.
International vs. Local Georgian Betting Sites?
Unfortunately, as happens with most smaller countries, players from Georgia are somewhat overlooked, especially by international bookmakers. First and foremost, you should know that few sites allow payments in Georgian Lari. More often than not, you must use a different option, most likely Euro, USD, or Russian Rubles, meaning you will have to pay conversion fees.
In addition, we have noticed that several international betting sites in Georgia have restricted locals from claiming their bookmaker bonuses. This means you are free to register but will not receive any extra funds for your first deposit. On the other hand, though, the taxation on operators that hold a local license is too high to be ignored. This is why most players are looking for alternatives outside the country.
What is the Progression of Online Betting in Georgia
Even though Georgia became an independent country relatively recently, in 1991, the sports betting market has steadily been growing over the years. It is projected that in 2024, the revenue will be $13.72 million. In reference, most players place wagers on football, rugby, basketball, and many fighting sports.
Football
Interest in football has skyrocketed in the country lately, especially after the first time the national team made it into the European Championship finals. Players like Giorgi Mamardashvili, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Georges Mikautadze have become national heroes. Users can access dozens of betting sites in Georgia and place wagers both in the domestic and international leagues.
Fighting Sports
Locals are also very interested in many fighting sports, primarily judo and wrestling. The country has over 40 Olympic wrestlers, with at least eight Judokas in each tournament. This is one of the main reasons many bettors place a lot of wagers on fighting sports.
Rugby Union
Rugby is the most popular sport in the country, behind football. Even though they have not reached the later stages, the national team has qualified for all World Cups since 2003. The main interest in the sport, especially in terms of betting, is two-fold. Firstly, it closely resembles the prominent Lelo burti, a traditional Georgian folk sport. Secondly, since most online betting sites in Georgia do not offer odds on the former, users place wagers on rugby instead.
Basketball
Georgia has produced some notable players throughout the years, including Tornike Shengelia, Vladimir Stepania, and Nikoloz Tskitishvili. We saw a spike in betting and spectator interest after Georgia co-hosted the Eurobasket in 2021. While the domestic leagues are not that popular, locals enjoy wagering on other tournaments, namely the NBA and the Euroleague.
How To Bet Online in Georgia - Step By Step
Opening a new account and placing your wagers on Georgia betting sites is pretty easy. If you are an amateur, simply follow the steps below carefully.
- 1 Choose a Bookmaker: Pick a sportsbook that meets all your needs. These include payment options, currency, available sports and markets, and features. To save you some time, we have already done all the legwork in our bookmaker ratings page.
- 2 Register an Account: Once you enter the official website, start the registration process. All online bookies will automatically ask for all the necessary information, including name, address, email, preferred currency, and mobile number.
- 3 Top up your account: Once you have uploaded all your personal details, it is time to top up your account for the first time. Choose a payment option that you prefer and choose the amount.
- 4 Start betting: Once you have successfully added funds to your balance, it is time to start wagering. Browse the site and find the sport and market you want to bet on.
Which Are the Top Payments Georgian Bettors Use?
The payment system in betting sites in Georgia is pretty straightforward. Since most people in the country prefer credit cards in their everyday lives, all online operators offer them. Additionally, there are some other methods some individuals use.
⏩ Debit and Credit Cards: Studies have shown that 89% of the population use credit and debit cards for their daily transactions. This data has been transferred to the online gambling world, where most bettors use VISA, Mastercard, and Maestro to top up their balances.
⏩ E-wallets: A small portion of the population also uses e-wallets, namely Neteller, Ecopayz, and Skrill, for their gambling activities.
Can I top up my account with Cryptocurrencies?
Georgia is one of the leading countries in cryptocurrency transactions. There are no laws or regulations restricting the use of them by individuals, and the country also provides high tax certainty. For that reason, most betting sites in Georgia include crypto transactions in their cashier. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Tether are the most common in online gambling.
Online Betting in Georgia: What Does the Future Hold
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 can choose where to place their bets.
Note that winnings from local betting sites in Georgia will be taxed at 15%, which rose from 10% the years before. This is why most players sign up with international operators to avoid taxation. Theoretically, we expect the issuing of more licenses to companies to balance the scales.
However, there are no signs that the authorities are moving in this direction, and the offshore operators aren’t eager to apply for a license either. In addition, the new strict measures against online gambling will more likely maintain the country's growth.
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 process is quite simple. You must register with an online bookie and deposit money into your account. Then, pick the market you wish to bet on as well as the stake.
Unfortunately, 22Bet does not accept Georgian players. Therefore, you cannot place your bets on it if you reside in the country. However, Betwinner and 1bet are great alternatives for local bettors.
Online sports betting in Georgia is far from a monopoly. Specifically, there are a few local bookmakers licensed to operate in the country and various unlicensed international sportsbooks.
Yes, when placing their bets on licensed bookmakers, players pay a 15% tax on their winnings. Nevertheless, this tax doesn’t apply when betting online on international non-licensed sportsbooks, such as 1xBet and Betwinner.
This is one of the few international bookmakers that allow Georgian punters to place bets by using the local currency and enjoy the entire process without worrying about currency exchange fees. Furthermore, it offers Georgian language; you can even claim the Betwinner Welcome Bonus in GEL.
Most online betting sites in Georgia offer players a wide range of payment options to choose from. Some of the most popular ones include debit and credit cards, e-wallets, and even cryptocurrencies.