Banning a family member from gambling in Georgia

The list of dependent persons is kept by the Revenue Service. A person can be added in two ways: by their own application to the Revenue Service, or by a judge's order issued on a family member's application. A family member means a parent, spouse, child or someone who lives with the person permanently (Administrative Procedure Code, Articles 21⁸⁵–21⁸⁶).

For 5 years a listed person cannot enter a casino or slot hall, or bet or play online: operators check every player with the Revenue Service. Only Georgian citizens can be placed on the list.

How the court case works

1. A family member files a written application with the magistrate or district (city) court where the person lives. The application is free of court fees.
2. It is accompanied by proof of the family relationship and evidence: bank statements, transfers to betting sites and casinos, loans, messages, witnesses.
3. The judge sends the application and materials to the person concerned; they have 48 hours from receipt to respond in writing.
4. The judge issues an order within 3–5 working days — with or without a hearing, behind closed doors if needed. The burden of proof is on the applicant.
5. The order takes effect immediately. It can be appealed to the Court of Appeal within 3 days; that court decides within 5 working days and its decision is final.

What the judge considers

• How serious the addiction is — how often and for how much they gamble
• The financial harm to the family member — debts, sold belongings, family money
• The individual circumstances — for example, whether there were attempts at treatment or to stop

Coming off the list

A person stays on the list for 5 years. Early removal is only possible on that person's own application, by court order, and no sooner than 3 years after being listed.