Social Issues Regarding Internet Betting on the Rise In Georgia

Georgia’s capital Tbilisi has many locations to place a bet and as the interent becomes more accessable to more people in the region online gambling is become a force that some officials feel has to be reckoned with. Georgia went through a war with Russia in 2008 and is still feeling the economic repercussions of being independent from ‘Mother’ Russia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the south by Turkey and Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. Its population is almost 4.7 million and many of those adults like to gamble especially online say reports.

The gambling site Adjarabet.com currently ranks as the second most popular Georgian website second only to the TV and Movie site. Advertizing for other gambling sites can be seen on billboards and on public transportation throughout the capital. There are no stats on internet wagering in the country. The Georgian National Communications Commission does not issue licenses for gambling websites, and there is no effort made to regulate them.

Social issues regarding uncontrolled gambling habits are being seen by ministry officials who are concerned that out of control internet gambling is going to take its toll on the social fabric of Georgia. Internet use is growing by 18-percent per year giving Georgians increased access to online gambling sites. The biggest concern is for the well fair of Georgian youth who are increasing their activity at online gambling web sites and are showing signs of gambling addiction at an alarming rate.

In the central Georgian region of Imereti where internet availability has expanded over the last couple of years the NGO humanitarian aid organization World Vision is providing information on the risks of online gambling as part of an overall Internet education program aimed at parents. The organization is trying hard to explain that the internet is not all bad. Tamara Aleksidze a spokesperson and youth specialist for World Vision commented, We are trying to explain that if it is used in the correct manner, it is a very good thing.”