At the meeting of the Economic Policy Committee, Deputy Finance Minister Mikheil Dundua presented, in the I reading, draft laws on Arranging Lotteries, Gambling and Prize Games and on Licenses and Permits.

According to the Government’s legislative initiative, fines imposed for violations of licensing conditions in the gambling sector will be increased.

As noted by the Deputy Minister, the increase in fines for breaches of licensing conditions will ensure more effective enforcement of established regulations in the gambling sector and strengthen control mechanisms. The amendments introduce adequate and proportionate sanctions for such violations. In particular: the fine for holders of casino operation permits will increase from GEL 7,000 to GEL 20,000; for holders of slot machine salon permits - from GEL 1,000 to GEL 10,000; for holders of gambling club permits - from GEL 2,000 to GEL 10,000; for holders of permits for organizing gambling and/or prize games - from GEL 2,000 to GEL 10,000; for holders of permits for organizing casino, slot machine, and totalizator games in a system-electronic form - from GEL 7,000 to GEL 20,000.

At the same session, the First Deputy Chair of the Committee, Irakli Mezurnishvili, presented a draft law on Public-Private Partnership. According to the amendment, the Public-Private Partnership Agency will be renamed as the “Investment and Export Agency”. In addition, the agency will be assigned additional functions and subordinated to the Economy and Sustainable Development Ministry. Accordingly, the Ministry will transfer to the agency the budgetary allocations designated for supporting investments and exports.

The legislative initiative, prepared by the Majority MPs, will be considered by the Parliament under an expedited procedure.

The Economic Policy Committee approved the draft laws.