Greece Proposes Multiple Improvements For Online Gaming, Deadline For Casino Complex License Extended

The Greek Government has submitted proposals to the European Commission with the idea to conduct several reforms regarding the country’s online gaming market. This institution is in charge of…

…proposing legislation and implementing decisions regarding web-based gaming activities.

The majority of criticism comes from country operators due to the fact that regulations established by the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) cover sports betting and table games, but omits a random number of generated casino games.

Pointing out that technology develops rapidly, the Government stresses the urgent need for changes.

Enhances Set Of Rules

Among the proposed regulations, one of the main suggestions is to create two categories of licenses for online games of chance. One would regulate betting games (sports and non-sports bets) …

…whereas the other would refer to all other web-based content.

The EEEP has no limitations when it comes to the number of awarded licenses. This means that operators will be able to apply for both types. In addition to this, operators that are interested in distributing their content and services to the Greek market will be obliged to use the dot.gr domain. As for those that are outside the country…

…they will have to install a safe server and connect to the EEEP’s systems. As for the costs, the license for sports betting would be €4m (£3.4m/$4.5m), and the one for online gaming €1m. The permission is valid for one site only, while the operators interested in running multiple pages would have to apply for separate permits.

The announcement of the decision should take place on July 2nd.

Establishing Self-Exclusion

With more and more institutions recognizing the severity of gambling-related issues, it’s only expected that all of them put special attention on protecting consumers. Self-exclusion measures are one of the ways to fight problems. The EEEP holds the responsibility…

…of ing and removing players from the list.

In addition to this, the institution would be in charge of updating the blacklist of unauthorized operators. The purpose of this is to have improved organization and running, and above all licensing of online games of chance.

Casino Complex License Deadline Extended

Among the many changes taking place in Greece regarding the gambling industry, there are certain ones regarding a land-based project to take place. The Ellinikon site, a former airport which was closed in 2001 should be redeveloped as a luxury integrated resort. The Hellenic Gaming Commission…

…opened the procedure for issuing the license in February.

The initial deadline for application was April 22nd, but a new one has been set for May 31st, 2019. The casino project is just a part of the whole project regarding the integrated resort, which is worth about €8bn.

Source:

“Greece submits online gaming reforms to European Commission”, igamingbusiness.com, April 5, 2019.

“Application deadline extends for Greece Casino license”, Niji Narayan, europeangaming.eu, April 5, 2019.