UNM accuses ruling party of promoting gambling at the expense of Georgian citizens

Irakli Pavlenishvili, head of the collegial governing body of the opposition United National Movement (UNM), has accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of facilitating the expansion of gambling in Georgia for financial gain, arguing that the government should introduce stricter measures to protect citizens from gambling addiction.

Speaking about the Georgian Orthodox Church's position on gambling regulations on Monday, Pavlenishvili described its stance as logical and justified. He said the opposition had previously proposed adopting a model similar to Monaco's, which would restrict gambling access for Georgian citizens without banning the gambling business itself.

Pavlenishvili claimed that approximately 400,000 people in Georgia suffer from gambling addiction, while close to one million participate in gambling activities. 

He argued that, instead of imposing further restrictions, the government was making gambling more accessible and encouraging its promotion. Pavlenishvili compared the social consequences of gambling addiction to those of drug addiction, describing both as serious threats to Georgian society.

He added that the opposition's proposal was intended to protect Georgian citizens from gambling-related harm rather than prohibit the industry altogether.