Greece moves to tighten laws on unlicensed gambling
The government plans to increase penalties for both operators and players involved in unlicensed gambling.
Greece.- The Ministry of Economy and Finance is reportedly drafting new legislation aimed at cracking down on illegal gambling in Greece. It intends to introduce harsher penalties, including business closures and prison terms of up to ten years.
The new bill will seek to disrupt unlicensed activity and also to strengthen protections for minors and vulnerable groups. Developed in collaboration with the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP), it would empower municipalities to impose both immediate and long-term closures on venues found hosting illegal gambling, as well as revoke their operating licences.
Meanwhile, internet cafés, which authorities frequently associate with unlicensed gambling, would face stricter licensing requirements.
Operating gaming without authorisation would carry a minimum prison sentence of three years plus financial penalties. Offenders could face up to ten years in prison and fines between €50,000 and €100,000.
Individuals caught playing unlicensed gambling games would risk up to two years in prison and a fine. Repeat offenders would face at least two years behind bars and fines ranging from €5,000 to €20,000. Anyone who interferes with regulatory checks could be sentenced to at least three years in prison.
Minister of National Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis said the government intended to establish a “holistic framework” to tackle illegal gambling “at its root,” whether through unlicensed websites or physical venues. He added that the framework would reflect technological realities and incorporate proposals from industry stakeholders.
The scale of illegal gambling in Greece
The Hellenic Gaming Commission already has a blacklist of nearly 11,000 illegal operators and works with law enforcement, judicial authorities, and the Anti-Money Laundering Authority to combat illicit activity.
However, research by Kapa found that the illegal gambling market was valued at €1.67bn in 2023, with state revenue losses estimated at €500m. In 2024, approximately 900,000 Greeks wagered €1.7bn through illegal channels, researchers say.
The average spend per player was €1,930, and 10 per cent of participants were aged 17–21. Online gambling accounted for €1bn and land-based illegal gambling the remaining €700m.
