Greece bans online slot advertising
The government has also set stake limits and spin limits for RNG games.
Greece.- The Greek government has introduced tight new restrictions for online gaming, limiting random number generator (RNG) games to maximum stakes of €2, maximum prizes of €5,000 and a minimum three-second spin limit.
Slots may not be advertised anywhere outside of an operator’s own website.
The legislation, part of Greece’s reform of its gambling laws, has been published in the legislature’s official gazette.
Several previous bills had called for a complete ban on online slots, but parliament backed away from an outright ban after operators warned they would challenge it.
The final draft regulations were submitted to the European Commission in January.
The new secondary legislation states that, except in online poker, players must not be able to start a new game cycle within three seconds of a previous cycle.
Online players will also have to set loss and time limits for play, and operators must notify players when they reach 80 per cent of their limit.
Players choosing to use the self-exclusion system will be able to choose how long the self-exclusion lasts.
While RNG games will only be able to offer prizes of up to €5,000, all casino games in general will be subject to a €70,000 prize limit. Bets on sports or other events will carry maximum winnings of €500,000 per bet.
Affiliates will have to sign “cooperation agreements” with licensees that must then be notified to the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP). These must cover how fees are calculated and the timing of payments.
Other than slots, gambling products can be advertised on social media but only if operators can restrict advertising so that it is seen by over 21s only. Communications must not use characters who appear to be minors or appear alongside content aimed at minors.
Advertising is also prohibited from attempting to show a “positive image” of gambling by showing revenue going to good causes. All ads must mention the EEEP and the legal age limit for gambling.
Fees for seven-year licences have been set at €3million for online betting and €2million for other forms of gaming.
The publication of the new restrictions comes as Spain also looks to introduce restrictions on all gambling advertising, and calls grow in the UK for an overhaul of gambling legislation.
