Greece opens applications for new online gaming licences

The national regulator is taking submissions online. Operators must complete “suitability” disclosures.

Greece.- The Hellenic Gaming Commission has begun taking submissions for new online gaming licences.

Separate seven-year licences will be issued for online sports betting and other online games. Sportsbooks will pay a fee of €3m, while the fee for offering games of chance is €2m.

Licence holders will also have to pay taxes representing 35 per cent gross gaming revenue.

Successful applicants must limit play to over 21s, while online casino will have strict limits including a €2 maximum slot stake and prize caps of €5,000 and a €50,000 limit for jackpots.

Greece has introduced the new framework as part of a package of reforms dubbed “Invest in Greece”. The legislation included measures to streamline planning regulations. 

As part of the regulatory overhaul, the HGC has been instructed to increase licensing requirements to cover operators’ key operational and management personnel.

Parties that have already applied for Greek B2C licences must now complete “suitability” disclosures providing details of shareholders, management, manufacturers, technicians and certification bodies.

It is believed that all existing Greek operators have submitted applications to continue operating under the new framework.

Unlicensed operators judged to have targeted Greece illegally will not be allowed to apply for licences for 12 months following the launch of the new framework.  

In August, Greece announced a ban on advertising online slots.