Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Public Relations Department of the Patriarchate of Georgia, has responded to a legislative package passed by parliament in its first reading under an expedited procedure that would allow Georgian casinos to organize international gambling tournaments.
According to Jagmaidze, “no broad discussions were held” on the legislative package, yet “the Patriarchate cannot remain on the sidelines of such a process.”
Later, speaking with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Georgian Service, the archpriest noted that the legislative package came as a complete surprise to the Patriarchate, with no prior communication with the Church on the matter.
“Since 2017, the Patriarchate of Georgia 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 was carried out over several years. On behalf of the Patriarchate, the process was led by Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III, who was at that time the Patriarchal Locum Tenens. Numerous studies were conducted, statistical data were collected and analyzed, and we presented these findings to the public. Ultimately, the authorities adopted an entire package of regulations, which was exceedingly gratifying,” Jagmaidze said.
According to him, he has reviewed the position of the Public Defender and “largely shares his arguments.”
“We remain hopeful that dialogue with the bill’s sponsors will yield a positive result,” Jagmaidze added.
The Patriarchate of Georgia maintains an opposition stance toward gambling and actively lobbies for legislative restrictions and regulations in this area.
Giorgi Sharashidze, an MP from the opposition party “Gakharia for Georgia,” called on the Patriarchate to voice its position on the legislative initiative. His party also opposes the adoption of the bill.
“’Dream’ is attempting to turn Georgia into a gambling country—we ask the Patriarchate to join the review of this issue and, by stating its own position, help us at least force ‘Dream’ to halt the passage of this pernicious law,” Sharashidze stated.
Georgia’s Public Defender (Ombudsman) also expressed a negative view of the fast-tracked legislative initiative following the bill’s passage in its first reading yesterday, October 27. Levan Ioseliani urged the ruling team not to adopt it.
According to the Ombudsman’s Office, the explanatory note to the bill lacks a number of important clarifications, such as:
- “does not contain a separate public health impact assessment;
- the note does not analyze potential social harm and the costs of preventing it;
- the participation of relevant experts and organizations was not ensured during the drafting of the bill;
- an overview of international practices is not provided;
- according to the explanatory note, the law will not affect the legal status of children, yet it is unclear what this assessment is based on.”
Georgian Dream intends to amend the Law “On the Organization of Lotteries, Games of Chance and Other Prize Games” and four other related legislative acts.
According to the draft,
- “organization of an international gambling tournament” is added to the types of permitted activities;
- an “international gambling tournament” is defined as “a game conducted by the holder of a permit to open a casino”;
- with the caveat, however, that participants in such tournaments must be predominantly foreign nationals—no less than 70%.
