In the heart of December, the luxurious Shangri La casino at the 5-star Ramada Plaza in Batumi hosted its inaugural lottery, boasting a substantial prize pool of 100,000 GEL. Since its grand opening in August of the same year, Shangri La Batumi has quickly emerged as a preferred destination for players hailing from various corners of the globe.
The recent lottery unfolded with joy as the fortunate winner of the main prize – a brand-new Mazda CX5, effusively expressed appreciation for Shangri La’s impeccable service, enchanting atmosphere, and the sheer delight of triumphing in such a riveting event. “What an adrenaline rush – a spectacular night with extraordinary prizes. Heartfelt thanks to Shangri La for orchestrating these exceptional events,” the exuberant winner exclaimed.
In tune with the entertainment preferences of its esteemed guests and following the resounding success of the recent lottery, Shangri La announced the 2024 Lottery Season. This upcoming series of events promises a substantial prize fund of 100,000 GEL, with draws scheduled for the 20th of January, 24th of February, and 23rd of March.
However, amid the jubilation, CEO of Storm International, Darren Keane, voiced his concerns about the challenges looming on the horizon. While recognizing Shangri La’s dedication to comprehending the entertainment desires of its guests, Keane expressed reservations regarding future events. These concerns are triggered by a recently implemented law that not only raises the gross gaming revenue (GGR) tax from 10 to 15 percent but also introduces a player winnings tax on withdrawals, escalating from 2 to 5 percent for gaming operators.
Keane underscores the potential adverse effects of this new legislation on gaming tourism, especially for a prominent gaming destination like Batumi. He apprehensively points out that the projected slowdown may lead operators to make difficult decisions, potentially slashing marketing expenses due to perceived diminished effectiveness in the face of increased taxation and decrease of gaming tourism.
With regards to this legislation, Darren Keane states, “This legislation will lead to foreign players who are to be taxed now not visiting Georgia anymore. They will now fly to other countries such as Cyprus and Armenia where there are no such taxes on winnings. With fewer foreign players, it could lead to some closures and thus more unemployment and thus a huge reduction in taxation for licenses to the federal and regional governments.”
As Shangri La Batumi navigates through these challenges, the commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences for its guests remains unwavering. The juxtaposition of triumphs and tax concerns adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, reflecting the dynamic landscape of the gaming industry.
