Greece is a mainland-island country where almost all types of gambling are permitted. The first land-based gambling establishment opened its doors back in the 20th century. Today, the gambling industry in Greece is represented by 9 offline venues and a vast online market. Players can also explore various online casinos, such as those offering great promotions like the Betsafe casino bonus.
Legalized online casinos use national Greek domain names *.gr. Virtual sports betting in casinos is prohibited. An online gambling license is issued for a single resource, with no right to transfer or lease it.
According to transitional legislative norms, the activities of online establishments registered within the European Union or European Economic Area are legal if operators:
Although the transitional period has ended, no online operator licenses have been issued in Greece yet.
Gambling websites in Greece are connected to the Supervision and Control IT System (PSEE), which helps the regulator monitor and control gambling processes.
The control of online casinos by EEEP includes:
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Compliance by licensees with the procedure for registering and identifying users, obligations, and regulations protecting player rights in online casinos.
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Licensing, purchasing, installation, and operation of technical equipment and software for conducting gambling activities.
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Supervision of table (roulette or blackjack) and electronic gambling (slot machines).
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Submission of written instructions for gambling operations, suitability of technical equipment or materials.
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Acceptance, evaluation, and processing of complaints and suggestions from players.
Online gambling licenses are issued by the Minister of Finance for a period of 5 years following the review of tender applications. If an application is rejected, a new one can be submitted only after one year. The operator must use certified software from legal suppliers.
The law prohibits licensees from providing services to players under 21 years of age. Operators are required to create an individual account for each player. Personal data, an account number from a financial institution registered in Greece and operating under its laws, must be provided.
The visitor identification procedure includes registration (or the presence) of a player card and checking for inclusion in the Self-excluded player list.
Before creating an account in an online gambling establishment, users must agree to the conditions for processing personal information (document in Greek).
Legal Types of Gambling Entertainment in Greece
The gambling law in Greece permits the following forms of entertainment: sports betting, casino games (blackjack, poker, etc.), slot machines, and other gaming devices, gaming terminals, bingo, and lotteries. Users can enjoy these forms of gambling only in licensed establishments. Violation of the law can lead to criminal liability (imprisonment). Strict conditions are in place to combat illegal bookmakers and casinos. Authorities attempt to close not only land-based offices but also block offshore portals. As a result, many foreign websites are inaccessible from Greek IP addresses. However, using special services, it is possible to bypass these restrictions quickly.
Currently, 9 land-based casinos are available to residents of Greece. They are located in resort areas or large hotels to attract the maximum number of tourists. As for online sites, gambling players have access to portals from many establishments. Here are a few of them:
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NetBet
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BetShop
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Winmasters
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Vivobet
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King Solomons
It’s worth noting that most gambling portals offer both gambling games and sports betting. Popular sites among Greeks include:
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Bwin
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Bet365
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Stoiximan
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Pamestoixima
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Interwetten
In total, there are over 20 online bookmakers and casinos authorized to operate in Greece. Therefore, competition in the market is quite strong, with establishments competing for existing and new users. The main advantage of such competition is the attractive bonuses offered by local companies. However, bettors still prefer offshore companies. The main reason for their popularity is the absence of additional taxes on winnings. Thus, the list of popular gambling platforms in Greece includes both legal and offshore companies.
Technical Support for Online Casino Users and Gamblers in Greece
Online casinos are required to provide information about the dangers of gambling addiction, materials for checking signs of gambling disorder, and contact information for state programs offering assistance to users.
A platform called e-ASSOS has been created based on the Commission, which includes information and applications to inform online players: multimedia materials, printed forms, self-assessment questionnaires.
In Greece, there is a list of Self-excluded players, i.e., individuals who:
The exclusion period is at least 6 months. During this period, the player’s accounts in online establishments in the country are blocked. If the player personally submits a request to be included in the Self-excluded players list, they can revoke it within 24 hours.
Qualified medical assistance can be obtained at centers operating under the KETHEA program.
