Georgian Public Broadcasting Bans Gambling Ads on its First Channel

Georgian Public Broadcasting has issued a ban on gambling advertising on its first channel. The ban will come into effect on January 1, 2020.

The move has been taken by Georgian Public Broadcasting as an effort to meet the requirements of society and to its willingness to promote a safe and healthy lifestyle. It also comes as an effort of the first channel to confront spreading gambling addiction and gambling-related harm in the country.

The measure that has been unveiled by the first channel of Georgian Public Broadcasting is voluntary. For the time being, gambling advertising and the sale of gambling commercials is not banned under the existing legislation of Georgia. However, the scope of the local gambling industry has been rising over the past few years, with some anti-gambling campaigners blaming problem gambling and debts accumulated as a result of gambling addiction for the suicides of 15 individuals aged 14–31.

The decision of the first channel to stop broadcasting gambling advertisements was welcomed by the independent member of the Georgian Parliament Levan Gogichaishvili.

Mr. Gogichaishvili backed the decision and said he would continue to work to reduce the scope of the gambling industry on the territory of Georgia.