Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze: The initiative concerning casinos is unexpected; there was no prior communication with us - the Patriarchate cannot remain on the sidelines of such a process; personally, I share the Public Defender’s position

The Georgian Orthodox Patriarchate has not yet held extensive discussions on the legislative package that would allow casinos to host international gambling tournaments if enacted. However, I can tell you that the Patriarchate cannot remain on the sidelines of such a process, Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze, head of the Patriarchate’s Public Relations Service, told InterpressNews.

According to the archpriest, the legislative package came as a complete surprise to the Georgian Patriarchate, as there had been no prior communication with it on the matter.

“Since 2017, the Georgian Patriarchate has been a direct initiator and one of the key participants in the process aimed at developing and introducing regulations in the gambling sector. Work on this issue continued for several years. The process on behalf of the Patriarchate was led by Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III, who at the time was the locum tenens of the Patriarchal Throne. Numerous studies were conducted, statistical data were collected and analyzed, and we presented the findings to the public. Ultimately, the government adopted an entire package of regulations, which was very much welcomed.

“As for the current legislative initiative, it came as a complete surprise to us, as there had been no prior communication with the Patriarchate on this matter.

“The Patriarchate has not yet held extensive discussions on the issue. However, I can tell you that the Patriarchate cannot remain on the sidelines of such a process. We have reviewed the Public Defender’s position, and I personally largely share his arguments. We hope that dialogue with the sponsors of the bill will produce a positive outcome,” Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze told Interpressnews.

For reference, Parliament considered the legislative package under an expedited procedure and approved it at first reading. If enacted, the changes would allow casinos to organize international gambling tournaments. Amendments are being made to the Law on the Organization of Lotteries, Gambling and Games of Chance, as well as four related laws.

The initiative, prepared by Georgian Dream MPs, is scheduled to be considered at second and third readings during the October 28 plenary session.

Under the bill, an international gambling tournament is defined as a competition organized by a holder of a casino operating permit in which at least 70% of all participants must be foreign nationals.

The bill also stipulates that if an organizer uses a club gaming table exclusively for an international tournament and the tournament’s prize pool exceeds GEL 3 million, the organizer will be exempt from paying the gambling business levy.

The amendments also establish penalties for violations of permit conditions, set at GEL 50,000. A fine of GEL 150,000 would apply to unauthorized persons who violate the rules governing the organization of international gambling tournaments.

Shota Berekashvili, one of the bill’s sponsors and chair of Parliament’s Economic Policy Committee, explained that an international gambling tournament is not, strictly speaking, a game of chance and that such competitions are held in numerous European cities. According to him, the initiative aims to support the tourism sector during the off-season.