In April 2019, results of a study conducted by the “Center for Research on Gambling and Prevention of Ludomania” became public, revealing that 48% of students in Georgia had some contact with gambling.

That year, multiple protests were held across Georgia demanding stricter regulations on the gambling industry.

The political party For the People, led by Ana Dolidze, was among the most vocal advocates for such restrictions. Dolidze had raised the issue even before entering politics, but public debate intensified after the death of Sandro Beradze, a Georgian Public Broadcaster cameraman who went missing and was later found dead in the woods near Tskhvarichamia on October 29, 2019. The investigation was launched under the charge of “driving a person to suicide.”

On October 30, 2019, the Georgian Public Broadcaster announced it would stop airing gambling advertisements.

On November 1, 2019, Ana Dolidze organized a protest at the Government Administration, presenting a petition with four demands:

1. Ban entry to casinos (both online and physical) for individuals under 25;
2. Ban gambling advertisements;
3. Tighten registration requirements;
4. Designate specific zones for casinos.

On November 3, 2019, members of the political party Georgian Descent (Kartuli Dasi) held a demonstration outside the Public Broadcaster, announcing plans to submit an anti-gambling initiative to Parliament.

On November 7, 2019, activists staged a similar protest outside the Hilton Hotel in Batumi.

On November 29, 2019, during another rally at the Government Administration, Ana Dolidze announced that her group had collected 10,000 signatures in support of banning gambling ads — a petition that the government was obligated to review.

On December 26, 2019, protesters gathered in Europe Square, Batumi, demanding a total ban on gambling ads and the closure of online casinos.

On February 2, 2020, demonstrators returned to the Government Administration in Tbilisi under the slogan: “Say No to Gambling – for Sandrika.”

On March 3, 2020, mothers and supporters from the movement Mothers Against Gambling also protested outside the Government Administration, calling for tougher restrictions.

On June 26, 2020, the movement For the People organized another protest with the same demand.

On December 13, 2021, Parliament adopted a bill that significantly tightened gambling regulations: advertising was banned (except sponsorship), under-25s and public servants were prohibited from gambling or registering on gambling sites, and a “List of Self-Excluded Individuals” was introduced — allowing people, or their family members, to voluntarily restrict their access to gambling.

The new restrictions reduced TV advertising revenues. However, their social impact remained unclear.

In March 2024, the media reported on a 2022 study showing that despite stricter regulations, 31% of minors still had experience with gambling.