Greek casinos urged to pay off debts
An entity in Greece is urging local casinos to pay off their dues to the social security funds.
Greece.- Casinos in Greece have been asked to pay off their dues to the social security funds. The Single Social Security Entity (EFKA) has demanded casinos to contribute wt the money they’re supposed to.
As Ekathimerini reported, the head of the federation of local casino employees said that the EFKA wrote letters to casino managers. The contributions due are around €100 million, but the weak financial state of some casinos in Greece suggest that these payments cannot be made and thus some facilities may end up with closure.
The Loutraki, Rio, Corfu and Alexandroupoli casinos are in risk, as they’re indebted. The ones in Rhodes, Syros and Porto Carras in Halkidiki are also in debt, the news outlet reported. The only casinos without dues to the social security funds are those in northwestern Macedonia, Parnitha and Thessaloniki.
The entity is moving towards including a clause in the new investment incentives law that threatens to temporarily suspend operating licences of casinos that fail to pay off its dues within 60 days.
Greece recently passed a gambling reform
The Greek government passed in October a gambling reform in order to boost economic development. The measure is part of a larger package of legislation designed to improve the country’s economy. It includes a gambling bill that allows Random Number Generator games – slots – despite controversy from previous drafts.
Greece has set gambling licence fees to €3 million, down from €5 million. Moreover, it sets a 35% GGR tax and a 20% corporation tax before the 35% revenue tax is subtracted. Moreover, it allows 24 online 2011-licensees to operate until March 31 and reapply then.
