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Focus REPORT: GEORGIA


georgia on My grind


Surrounded by prohibition on all sides, Georgia presents a geographic sweet spot for gaming operators


Due to the fact that Georgia is surrounded by countries where gambling is prohibited, this little country sandwiched between Europe and Asia, should be attracting more attention than a stripper at a stag party. The total population of the countries where gambling is banned amounts to over 450 million. In theory this means that Georgia holds all the cards. So is Georgia about to become the Monte Carlo of the east?


At one time, Georgia was the holiday haunt of the privileged elite of the Soviet Union. The combination of the Mediterranean climate, stunning scenery, famous mineral waters and Georgian hospitality, created a unique destination point for the wealthy.


During the Soviet period, however, tourism did not accumulate much revenue and it was confined to development by state enterprises. Then along came that old party pooper - civil arrest - which in the early 1990s hampered growth further and put a dampener on the development of tourism.


Since independence, however, Georgia’s peace has been restored and tourism has become one of the most dynamic economic sectors for this region. Between 2004 and 2008 a number of economic reforms were put into place ensuring a stronger legal system, which in turn has resulted in economic growth and a higher demand for tourism.


In 2010 the country saw a total of two million foreign visitors of which the majority came from neighbouring Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Russia. This was a 36 per cent increased on 2009 figures and this is expected to increase by 35 per cent in the next three to five years.


To encourage tourism the government implemented simple entry requirements and now 50 countries such as USA, Canada, Israel, Japan, EU countries and UAE do not require entry visas and can stay for up to 90 days. Citizens from other countries are issued travel visas at the border.


Georgia is located at the crossroads between Western Asia and Eastern Europe and is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. It lies next to Russia on its northern side whilst also bordering Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey in the south and east. It also has a 330km coastline with the Black Sea in the west.


It’s a fairly discreet and unknown country to most, but Georgia actually has a lot to offer. There are 19 nature reserves, 860 lakes, numerous waterfalls and more than 25,000 rivers. There are 12,000 historical monuments in Georgia, 150 museums, 103 resorts, 182 resort areas and eight national parks.


The population of Georgia is almost 4.7 million whilst its land area of 69,700 sq.m is threaded by two major rivers called the Rioni and Mtkvari. The land is mainly mountainous and the Likhi Range divides the country into eastern and western halves. Historically, the western portion was known as Colchis and the east Iberia. The Great Caucasus Mountains form the northern border and the Lesser Caucasus Mountains are located in the south. The highest point is Mount Shkhara at over 5,000m.


There are nine regions – Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe- Javakheti and Shida Kartli. Plus two


ta Your


Abkhazia is a


region bordering Russia and the


Black Sea which declared its


independence in


1999 whilst Adjara is an autonomous region in the


southwest region bordering Turkey and the Black Sea.


Adjara is said to be the country’s most


picturesque region and its unique environmental


features make it an attractive tourist destination.


Because of this the government has invested in this


region and in 2010 handed over


US$147m, of which


49 per cent went to the tourism sector. The area has a population of


around 400,000.


the georgian


casino industry initially


BooMed after indePendence as neighBours Banned or


liMited gaMing


autonomous republics – Abkhazia and Adjara and one city T’bilisi. These in turn are subdivided into 69 districts.


Abkhazia is a region bordering Russia and the Black Sea which declared its independence in 1999 whilst Adjara is an autonomous region in the southwest region bordering Turkey and the Black Sea. Adjara is said to be the country’s most picturesque region and its unique environmental features make it an attractive tourist destination. Because of this the government has invested in this region and in 2010 handed over US$147m of which 49 per cent went to the tourism sector. The area has a population of around 400,000.


taking your casino mobile le


bringing the casino to the players and the players to the casino


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