Greek bill proposes tougher measures on illegal gambling
The bill includes tougher penalties for those found to be operating illegal gambling.
Greece.- Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis has unveiled an anticipated new bill designed to crack down on illegal gambling in Greece. The proposed legislation introduces stricter measures, including prison terms and the possibility of shutting down businesses involved in such activities.
Developed in collaboration with the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP), the bill 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.
As forecast previously, the Greek bill against illegal gambling states that 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.
Pierrakakis said the government intends to tackle a gambling black market estimated at more than €1.6bn a year. Research from the EEEP found that nearly 800,000 people participated in gambling through unlicensed websites, underground venues and illegal casinos in 2024. The EEEP’s blacklist of unauthorised online platforms currently includes close to 11,000 sites.
