Irakli Kupradze: Ivanishvili has transformed Georgia into a hub for casinos and call centers - an amorphous entity, subordinate to the Russian economy, that functions not as a proper economy but as a cartel, where only their own officials profit and grow wealthy

"The 'Non-Georgian Dream'—within a so-called parliament that lacks sufficient representation of the Georgian people—is passing a bill that inflicts a new social catastrophe upon the citizens of Georgia. The gambling industry has brought misery to hundreds of thousands of people in this country—and I am neither exaggerating nor using hyperbole. Hundreds of thousands of families have lost their savings, their wages, and their homes; tragically, some have even lost their lives," stated Irakli Kupradze, General Secretary of the Lelo – Strong Georgia coalition.

He further noted that the gambling industry accounts for 35% of the country's total business turnover, and argued that it is essential to impose a tax rate of more than 20% on the owners of gambling businesses.

“At a time when the “Anti-Georgian Dream” is seeking to ban all opposition parties through the Constitutional Court, Ivanishvili and his “Non-Georgian Dream” are pushing a bill through Georgia’s so-called parliament—a body that lacks sufficient representation of the Georgian people—that inflicts a new social catastrophe upon the citizens of Georgia. Let us look at the simple reality: what do gambling and the gaming industry mean for Georgia and its citizens? Ivanishvili and the “Non-Georgian Dream” have fast-tracked this legislation, effectively gifting funds—which should have gone into the state budget—to various gambling companies; companies linked to individuals associated with the “Non-Georgian Dream” and to donors of their political parties. Consider a few key statistics: according to the National Statistics Office of Georgia, the turnover of the gambling industry in Georgia reached 88 billion GEL in 2025, while in just the first two quarters of 2026, it hit 47 billion GEL—accounting for 35% of the total business turnover across the entire country. This means that Ivanishvili has transformed Georgia into a hub for casinos and "call centers"—an amorphous, non-functional economic entity subordinate to the Russian economy, operating more like a cartel. In this system, the only ones profiting and enriching themselves are officials and politicians linked to the "Non-Georgian Dream," Ivanishvili himself, and the casino owners within his inner circle. This is happening while every third or fourth child in the country’s schools goes hungry; while pensions are increased by a mere 20 GEL; while the construction of schools and kindergartens remains unfinished; while approximately 30% of the population lacks access to a centralized drinking water supply; while the vast majority of Georgia’s agricultural land lacks irrigation; while many villages have no roads; and while dozens—even hundreds—of villages lack electricity altogether. Georgian men and women have been abandoned by Ivanishvili and the "Non-Georgian Dream." Yet, he still finds the time and resources to create new conditions for casinos—for a gambling industry that, once again, belongs to his own hand-picked businessmen—thereby facilitating the onset of a social catastrophe. We must all remember that the gambling industry in this country has brought misery to hundreds of thousands of people—and I am neither exaggerating nor overstating this. Hundreds of thousands of families have lost their savings, their wages, and their homes; some, tragically, have even lost their lives. This is no laughing matter. When Ivanishvili and his gang of officials make such a criminal decision, they must realize that this issue requires broad public discussion—and that they will receive the response they deserve from society. This amounts to the robbery and ruin of Georgia’s future generation. We are all well aware that, on one hand, drugs and drug cartels are devouring a new generation in Georgia, while on the other, the gambling industry is doing the same. The unequivocal position of Lelo – Strong Georgia is that the gambling industry—casinos and their owners—must be taxed at a rate significantly higher than the current 20%. In various European countries, these rates are much higher: 45% in Austria, 37.8% in the Netherlands, 35% in Greece, and 28% in Denmark—yet in Ivanishvili’s Georgia, this amounts to 20%. Day after day, they secure all sorts of privileges through new legislative bills—all while the Georgian state budget is being plundered, pensions remain stagnant, and the construction of schools and kindergartens is neglected. Meanwhile, the healthcare system is dysfunctional, and drug cartels have brought misery to this country. Ivanishvili cares solely about the enrichment of his own officials. Regardless of the measures Ivanishvili employs—whether through bans, cancellations, or attempts at total eradication—we will continue to expose his regime’s use of force and defend the interests of Georgian citizens. Georgia is not a personal cash register for an 'un-Georgian Dream'; it belongs to its citizens, and Lelo – Strong Georgia will stand up for their interests," stated Irakli Kupradze.

For context, the Parliament reviewed and approved—via an expedited procedure and in the third reading—a package of legislative amendments that will pave the way for international gambling tournaments to be held in Georgia.