iGaming and Crypto in Georgia: Smooth Payments for Operators
- Tinatin Tolordava
- Oct 30, 2025
- 10 min read
Table of contents
The New Reality of iGaming Payments
In the iGaming world, speed and trust are everything. Players expect instant payouts. Affiliates want reliable rewards. Operators need payment systems that don’t freeze funds or take weeks to process.
But traditional banking has made that nearly impossible.Cross-border transfers get flagged. Crypto transactions get blocked. And compliance costs skyrocket before a single game goes live.
That’s why iGaming operators are looking for a new home, and they’re finding it in Georgia, one of the world’s most crypto-friendly jurisdictions for digital gaming and betting platforms.
Here, crypto and iGaming coexist legally. Payments can be processed in crypto, converted to fiat, and distributed to players or staff under full compliance. And thanks to Georgia’s low tax rates and open banking, operators can keep more of what they earn while running smoother, faster payment systems.
Let’s look at how Georgia became a magnet for crypto iGaming, and how Gegidze makes it effortless to set up, pay out, and stay compliant.
A Legal Framework That Welcomes Both Crypto and iGaming
iGaming in Georgia: Licensed and Legitimate
Unlike many European or Asian countries tightening rules around online betting, Georgia keeps its system open but structured.
The Revenue Service and Gambling Regulation Commission oversee iGaming activity.
Licenses cover casino gaming, sports betting, poker, and online lotteries.
Local and international operators are welcome to register.
What makes this different is Georgia’s modern licensing process: simple, digital, and designed for scalability.Foreign operators can register remotely as an LLC or International Company, apply for licensing, and start operations within days, not months.
Crypto in Georgia: Legal, Transparent, and Practical
Crypto is completely legal and defined as digital property. That means:
iGaming operators can accept and pay in crypto as long as final settlements happen in GEL (Georgian Lari) or another fiat currency.
Crypto-to-fiat conversions are VAT-free.
Mining, trading, and staking are all allowed under Georgian law.
Only companies that hold or transfer client assets, like exchanges or custodial wallets, need VASP registrationwith the National Bank of Georgia. For most iGaming operators, that’s not necessary.
This balance between freedom and compliance is exactly why the iGaming sector is moving here.
Why Georgia Is Becoming a Global iGaming Hub
It’s not just that Georgia allows crypto, it’s how the entire ecosystem is built around enabling it safely.
1. Fast and Remote Company Setup
You can register your iGaming company in 1–2 business days completely online. No travel. No local representative required.
Georgia’s streamlined company registration process supports:
LLC formation for small to mid-size operators.
International Company status for global platforms.
Virtual Zone registration for tech-based gaming infrastructure.
It’s fast, low-cost, and legally recognized by international banks.
2. Crypto-Friendly Banking System
This is where Georgia really stands out.Banks here allow crypto-related transactions, provided AML and FATF requirements are met.
Through Gegidze, iGaming operators can:
Open a remote bank account in 3–5 days.
Receive and send payments in GEL, USD, or EUR.
Handle crypto-to-fiat conversions at rates between 1.2–1.5%.
Every payment, whether to players, affiliates, or developers, passes through compliant reporting, ensuring smooth operations and zero blocked transactions.
3. Global Player Access
Georgia’s FATF-aligned system means international payments flow easily between Europe, MENA, and Asia.Unlike the EU, where crypto gambling platforms face severe restrictions, Georgian operators can legally accept players from multiple regions, as long as their AML/KYC processes are solid.
That makes it a natural base for cross-border iGaming operators using crypto for faster deposits, withdrawals, and affiliate payouts.
The Tax System iGaming Operators Love
Taxation is what turns Georgia from a convenient base into a long-term home for crypto iGaming businesses.
Corporate Tax: Pay Only When You Profit
Georgia uses a unique model inspired by Estonia’s deferred tax system:
Corporate tax (15%) applies only when profits are distributed.
Retained profits, reinvested into marketing, tech, or operations, are untaxed.
This approach keeps your business liquid and growth-focused.
Special Tax Regimes for iGaming and Crypto
1. International Company Status
Ideal for licensed operators with global audiences.
5% corporate tax on profit distribution.
0% dividend tax for shareholders.
5% payroll tax on employees.
With this status, you keep almost everything you earn, legally.
2. Virtual Zone Status
Perfect for gaming technology providers and iGaming platforms offering software or data analytics abroad.
0% corporate tax on foreign-sourced IT and blockchain revenue.
No VAT on exported services.
It’s a favorite for B2B gaming platforms, back-end providers, and blockchain casino developers.
3. Free Industrial Zone (FIZ)
Designed for crypto mining or iGaming infrastructure companies.
0% corporate tax.
0% VAT.
No import duties on hardware.
The result: an iGaming or crypto operator can reduce total tax exposure to as little as 1–5%, depending on structure.
Payroll and Contractor Tax
Georgia’s personal income tax structure is equally simple:
Employees pay 5% income tax.
Freelancers and contractors registered as Individual Entrepreneurs (IEs) pay 1% turnover tax up to GEL 500,000 per year.
For global iGaming operators paying remote teams or affiliates in crypto, this makes Georgia one of the cheapest and cleanest payroll jurisdictions in the world.
FATF Compliance and Legal Crypto Payments
The best part of operating in Georgia is that crypto transactions are both legal and compliant with global AML standards.
The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) and Financial Monitoring Service (FMS) oversee FATF-aligned frameworks to prevent illicit transactions, without burdening businesses with unnecessary bureaucracy.
What This Means for iGaming Operators
You can send and receive crypto payments through regulated intermediaries like Gegidze.
Every transaction is documented for AML/KYC verification.
Crypto-to-fiat conversions are reported under FATF rules.
Your business remains transparent, auditable, and fully bankable.
This compliance-first design is what sets Georgia apart from “gray zone” crypto jurisdictions, you can scale your iGaming business without fear of shutdowns or blocked accounts.
How Crypto Payments Work in Georgian iGaming
Let’s break down a typical payment flow for an iGaming operator using Gegidze’s system:
Player deposits crypto or fiat into your platform.
Crypto is sent to Gegidze, which converts it into GEL or EUR at competitive rates.
Payouts are distributed to player accounts, employees, or contractors.
Taxes are applied automatically (5% for employees, 1% for IEs).
Reports are filed with Georgian authorities under AML and FATF standards.
No frozen accounts. No foreign exchange issues. No legal gray zones.
Your payments become smooth, compliant, and internationally recognized, the way iGaming was always meant to be.
Why Operators Are Choosing Georgia Over Traditional Hubs
In the past, iGaming founders looked to Malta, Cyprus, or Curacao. But rising tax costs, stricter compliance, and opaque crypto rules are driving them to Georgia.
Here’s how Georgia stacks up:
Factor | Georgia | Malta / Cyprus | Curacao / UAE |
Corporate Tax | 0–5% | 12–25% | 9–15% |
VAT on Crypto | 0% | 20% | N/A |
Payroll Tax | 1–5% | 20–30% | 15–25% |
FATF Compliance | Full, flexible | Strict | Partial |
Setup Time | 1–2 days | 4–6 weeks | 6–8 weeks |
Georgia’s model is clean and efficient: no offshore secrecy, no overregulation, just smart compliance that works.
Real Use Cases: How iGaming and Crypto Thrive Together in Georgia
The real proof of Georgia’s crypto-friendly iGaming system isn’t in theory, it’s in practice. Across Tbilisi, Batumi, and the Free Industrial Zones, international gaming companies are already operating efficiently, legally, and profitably.
1. Crypto Casinos Operating Under International Company Status
A growing number of online casino operators from Europe and Asia have shifted operations to Georgia, drawn by its tax reliefs and legal transparency.
Their structure typically looks like this:
Company registered as an International Company, 5% corporate tax, 0% dividend tax.
Operations fully licensed under Georgian iGaming law.
Crypto-to-fiat handled through Gegidze for FATF-compliant settlements.
Players from across the EU and MENA deposit in crypto, withdrawals handled in fiat (GEL or EUR).
The setup is legal, frictionless, and globally recognized, no offshore status, no gray areas.
2. Sports Betting Platforms Using Crypto for Global Payouts
A European sports betting brand moved its payment operations to Georgia to escape slow settlement times and limited crypto banking.
Here’s what changed:
Player deposits accepted in major cryptocurrencies.
Conversions executed at 1.2–1.5% rates through Gegidze.
Local payouts handled automatically under Georgian payroll rules.
Tax filings and AML reporting managed through Gegidze’s backend system.
In short: payouts got faster, taxes dropped, and compliance got easier.
3. iGaming Affiliate Programs and Contractors at 1% Tax
Affiliate marketing is the lifeblood of iGaming, but managing cross-border payouts can be messy. In Georgia, it’s clean and simple.
Affiliates are registered as Individual Entrepreneurs (IEs) with Small Business Status, paying just 1% turnover taxup to GEL 500,000 (~$185,000).
Crypto commissions are converted to fiat and paid directly to Georgian or foreign bank accounts, fully traceable, fully compliant.
It’s a model that scales, fast.
4. Gaming Tech Providers and Developers Under Virtual Zone Status
Companies developing gaming software, blockchain-based RNG systems, or data analytics platforms for casinos qualify for Virtual Zone status.
They pay 0% corporate tax on foreign-sourced income, and because they’re technically IT exporters, they’re exempt from VAT.
Add crypto payments through Gegidze, and these businesses operate with one of the lowest total effective tax rates in the world.
Smooth Payments: How Gegidze Makes Crypto iGaming Easy
Running a crypto-enabled iGaming business is complex, but in Georgia, it doesn’t have to be. Gegidze simplifies every operational layer, from company setup to payroll execution.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Step 1: Remote Company Registration
Your iGaming company can be registered in Georgia fully online within 1–2 business days.
No Power of Attorney required.
No physical presence needed.
Eligible for International Company or Virtual Zone status right after registration.
Step 2: Remote Bank Account Setup
Gegidze opens a multi-currency business account in 3–5 days, ready for crypto-to-fiat operations.
GEL, USD, and EUR supported.
Remote access via secure online banking.
No special crypto license needed for operational accounts.
Step 3: Crypto-to-Fiat Conversion
Operators send crypto funds to Gegidze for conversion.
Exchange executed legally with FATF-compliant partners.
Transparent exchange rate: 1.2–1.5%.
Funds deposited directly into the company’s bank account in GEL or EUR.
Step 4: Payroll and Affiliate Payouts
Employees hired under Gegidze’s Employer of Record (EOR) model pay 5% income tax.
Contractors or affiliates registered as IEs pay 1% turnover tax.
All payments are fully traceable and legally recognized by Georgian authorities.
Step 5: AML/KYC Compliance
Gegidze manages full FATF compliance for your transactions:
Player verification and source-of-funds checks.
Transaction monitoring and record-keeping (minimum 5 years).
Automated reporting to the Financial Monitoring Service (FMS).
The result?A legally sound, fast, and frictionless financial workflow, exactly what iGaming operators need.
FATF Compliance Without the Headache
Many iGaming operators shy away from crypto because of compliance fears. Georgia’s system, and Gegidze’s services, remove that risk.
Georgia’s FATF-Aligned Framework
The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) enforces FATF recommendations on AML and KYC.
Businesses that don’t hold client assets (like most gaming operators) are not VASPs.
Reporting standards are proportional, meaning simple structures don’t require heavy compliance systems.
How Gegidze Keeps You Safe
Gegidze integrates compliance directly into your operational flow:
KYC for players and contractors.
Automated AML screening for deposits and withdrawals.
Documented reporting for every crypto-to-fiat conversion.
Instead of building an in-house compliance department, operators can plug into Gegidze’s ready-made system.
Why Georgia Outperforms Other iGaming Jurisdictions
It’s not just about low taxes, it’s about agility.
Factor | Georgia | Malta / Cyprus (EU) | Curacao / UAE |
Corporate Tax | 0–5% | 12–25% | 9–15% |
Payroll Tax | 1–5% | 20–30% | 15–25% |
VAT on Crypto | 0% | 20% | N/A |
Setup Time | 1–2 days | 4–6 weeks | 6–8 weeks |
Crypto Legality | Legal, defined as property | Heavily licensed | Case-by-case |
Banking Access | Remote setup (3–5 days) | Restricted | Expensive15 |
Georgia wins where it matters: speed, compliance, and simplicity.
There’s no long waiting period for license review, no crypto ban risk, and no bureaucratic slowdown. Operators can scale confidently, knowing their structure is transparent and globally valid.
The Founder’s Advantage: Building Fast, Paying Smoothly
For crypto iGaming founders, every delay costs money, player churn, affiliate frustration, or blocked payouts can kill growth.
Georgia removes those friction points.
In Europe, you deal with slow compliance reviews, double taxation, and banking risk.In Asia, you face costly regulatory hurdles and exchange rate volatility.
In Georgia, you can:
Register remotely in 48 hours.
Pay global teams legally in crypto.
File taxes at rates between 1–5%.
Operate under FATF compliance with full banking support.
It’s the rare environment where crypto gaming can actually move at gaming speed.
Gegidze: Your All-in-One iGaming Partner in Georgia
Gegidze isn’t just a payroll processor, it’s your infrastructure partner for smooth, legal crypto operations.
Here’s what you get:
End-to-End Setup, Company registration, bank account, and tax regime application handled remotely.
Crypto Payroll Management, Crypto received, converted, and distributed to staff and affiliates in GEL, USD, or EUR.
Low Exchange Rates, Transparent 1.2–1.5% crypto-to-fiat conversion.
Tax Optimization, 0–5% corporate tax and 1–5% payroll tax structures.
Compliance Built In, FATF-aligned AML/KYC integration and transaction monitoring.
Remote Operations, Full control without ever setting foot in Georgia.
Whether you’re an online casino, sportsbook, or gaming technology company, Gegidze ensures every transaction is clean, compliant, and fast.
Conclusion: Crypto iGaming in Georgia Just Works
Georgia isn’t just crypto-friendly, it’s crypto-functional.
For iGaming operators frustrated by red tape in Europe or Asia, Georgia offers the perfect middle ground: legal certainty, low taxes, and seamless payments.
With Gegidze, you can:
Register remotely in a few days.
Pay players and staff in crypto legally.
Handle compliance, banking, and taxes automatically.
In the gaming business, timing matters, and Georgia is one of the few places where regulation keeps up with innovation.Ready to simplify your iGaming payments and run a compliant crypto operation from Georgia?
Book a consultation with Gegidze today to start your registration, open your accounts, and streamline your payouts the smart way.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is iGaming legal in Georgia?
Yes. iGaming is fully legal and licensed under Georgian law, regulated by the Revenue Service and Gambling Regulation Commission. Operators can serve both local and international players. Georgia’s streamlined licensing and open banking system make it one of the easiest places in Europe and Asia to launch and manage an iGaming platform.
Can iGaming companies use crypto in Georgia?
Absolutely. Crypto is legal and defined as digital property in Georgia. iGaming operators can accept crypto payments, convert them to fiat, and distribute winnings or salaries legally. Through Gegidze, all crypto-to-fiat conversions (1.2–1.5% exchange rate) and payouts comply with FATF anti–money laundering (AML) and KYC rules.
What are the tax benefits for iGaming operators in Georgia?
Georgia offers several favorable tax regimes for iGaming and crypto businesses:
International Company: 5% corporate tax, 0% dividend tax, 5% payroll tax.
Virtual Zone: 0% corporate tax for IT and software-based gaming exports.
Free Industrial Zone (FIZ): 0% corporate tax, 0% VAT, and no import duties.Employees pay just 5% income tax, and contractors (Individual Entrepreneurs) pay 1% turnover tax.
How fast can I set up an iGaming business in Georgia?
With Gegidze, you can register your company remotely in 1–2 business days and open a bank account in 3–5 days. There’s no Power of Attorney or physical presence required. You can start operating, paying staff, and handling player payouts within one week.
How does Gegidze help iGaming companies stay compliant?
Gegidze provides full compliance and operational support for crypto-enabled iGaming platforms:
FATF-aligned AML/KYC procedures for player verification.
Remote company registration and bank setup.
Crypto payroll processing and affiliate payouts.
Legal tax structuring (0–5% corporate and payroll tax).
Automated reporting to the Financial Monitoring Service (FMS).
This ensures iGaming operators remain transparent, fully legal, and globally scalable.
