Legislation
Georgia – Georgian TV channel bans gambling ads
By Phil - 12 November 2019
The first channel of Georgian Public Service Broadcasting (GPB) has decided to stop broadcasting gambling ads on television from January 2020.
It said: “In line with our mission, the Channel’s initial goal is to meet the needs of society, to support the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and, based on our own ability, to face the grave suffering of gambling addiction in the country.”
There are currently 92 active gambling companies in Georgia, generating GGR of €4.2bn last year, more than double the previous year. According to the National Statistics Office of Georgia, revenue in the gambling industry has increased by 14- times since 2013.
It is believed to have taken the stance following the supposed suicide of a 29-year-old man was found dead in a forest on October 29. He is believed to have shot himself as a result of his gambling addiction.
Anti-gambling group Mothers Against Gambling has complained that from July 2019 to date, 15 people between the ages of 14 and 31 had died because of gambling addiction and the resulting debts.
