The Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) has initiated a consultation regarding the operation of casinos across Greece. 

The aim of this consultation is to gather opinions from stakeholders in the Greek gambling market and will continue until September 15th.  

Legislative changes are being proposed with a particular emphasis placed on administrative control and the operation of casino businesses.

Should any proposed measures be approved, these will be implemented by Greece’s Ministry of National Economy and Finance. 

Suggested changes

The regulatory upgrades being discussed are being viewed by the EEEP as “key innovations”.

The most significant issue on the table is of revising play protection laws, with the headline measure to enact this being the establishment of a self-exclusion register. 

Self-exclusion register

In the discussions so far, such a register would be maintained by the EEEP, requiring the regulator to note certain information such as the duration of the ban and the licensee that received the ban request.

This would also be accompanied by a player option to choose the length of the ban should this be passed into law.

Self-exclusion may only be lifted should the stipulated time period have passed and the self-excluded player has submitted a request to lift the ban. 

Staff training

It is also being suggested that licenced operators be obliged to train staff on the contents of the Greek gambling regulations, encompassing the provision of specialised education and training programmes for staff at casinos or other establishments.

Additionally, a training manager must also be appointed to provide the EEEP with relevant information on education and training. 

Player cards

The proposals are also tabling the introduction of individual player cards, which would allow players to participate in games in casinos while being connected to their online accounts.

Background

In 2011, the Greek gambling market was legalised with the passage of the nation’s initial Gambling Act.

24 transitional licences were then subsequently afforded to operators to continue operating until March 31st, 2020 when the Greek Ministry of Finance submitted draft gaming regulations to the European Commission.

This draft had already been approved by the Greek parliament the year before and required the original licensees to reapply under the new regulations. 

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