Gambling Laws in Greece Explained in 2025

by Kiko

Updated: Oct 14, 2025

3 min read

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Greece is among the world’s most dedicated gambling countries, with much of its betting culture rooted in the fact that the country has almost always permitted its citizens to participate in all forms of gambling legally.

The gambling laws in Greece highlight a culture of passionate bettors, with its betting scene generating $30.73 billion in 2024, among the world’s biggest gambling markets in recent years.

This article explores simple yet rich gambling laws in Greece, explaining what types of gambling people can participate in the country and the rules they must follow when betting.

Highlights of the Article

All forms of gambling are legal and regulated in Greece.
Law 4002/2011 is Greece’s primary law focused on regulating the country’s gambling industry.
The Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) is the main regulator authorized to govern, monitor, and enforce gambling laws in Greece.
Betting in Greece started in the early 20th century.
Greece’s OPAP SA has the license to install and operate 35,000 gaming machines for offline use.
Article 151 of Greece’s Law 2238/1944 allowed land-based gambling companies and groups to operate legally when taxed.
The Gambling Reform Act in 2019 expanded on Law No. 4002/2011 by introducing updated tax regulations in Greece.

Can You Gamble in Greece?

In Greece, ALL FORMS OF GAMBLING ARE LEGAL AND REGULATED, including casino games, sports betting, lotteries, online gambling, and horse race betting, as long as the player is over the age of 21.

The Greek gambling industry is overseen by its Hellenic Gaming Supervision and Control Commission (EEEP), with all necessary regulations outlined in Law 4002/2011, including guidelines for online gambling.

Side Note

Cyprus online casinos, according to Juliette from mse.com.cy, are seeing growth in number of operators year over year, regulated by the Betting Law of 2012 or Law 106(I)/2012 that protects players engaging in gambling activities.

Besides casinos and sports betting, Greece also operates the country’s largest lottery network, OPAP SA. OPAP SA is licensed to install and run 35,000 gaming machines for offline games, valid until 2030.

Greece’s Primary Gambling Regulation: Law 4002/2011

On August 22, 2011, the Hellenic parliament passed Law 4002/2011, establishing the regulatory framework for gambling, or “games of chance,” in Greece and constituting the Hellenic Gaming Supervision and Control Commission (EEEP)/Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC).

Fun Fact

“Games of chance” pertain to betting and casino games whose outcome is determined purely by luck, such as Blackjack and Roulette.

Law 4002/2011 provides a thorough overview of licensing procedures, operator responsibilities, enforcement methods, and the HGC’s role in overseeing both physical gambling and iGaming activities in Greece.

The Hellenic Gaming Commission

As the regulatory authority overseeing all gaming activities in Greece, the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) ensures fair play and safeguards players’ interests by managing licensing, regulation, and monitoring of land-based betting and online casinos (inclusing foreign casinos in Greece).

Upon its creation in 2011, the HGC notified existing operators that their platforms must end with “.gr.” The HGC also established a blacklist for gambling companies operating without the necessary licenses and imposed several fines and restrictions.

History of The Legality of Gambling in Greece

Greece’s first gambling establishments appeared in the early 20th century, with the opening of Club Hotel Casino Loutraki in 1928. After two decades, the country passed Law 2238/1944 (Article 151), which allowed gambling operators to operate legally when taxed.

The Early Years of Greece’s Gambling Market Forbade E-Games

However, non-commercial legal betting platforms didn’t have the right to license “e-games” in Greece. Notably, by 2002, the passage of Law 3037/2002 led to iGaming operators operating under the “grey market” after all e-games were banned.

Physical Casinos and Sportsbooks Reigned in Greece in the 2000s

On the other hand, land-based casinos and sportsbooks were thriving due to Laws 2206/1996 and 3139/2003, which allowed for nine licensed brick-and-mortar casinos, while sports betting, slots, and the lottery remained exclusive to the Greek Organization of Football Prognostics (OPAP).

Legal Online Gambling In Greece Started in 2011

Everything changed in 2011 when Law 4002/2011 was passed, and the 24 existing online casino operators in the market received temporary licenses until a new regulatory framework was established.

A Gambling Reform Act in 2019 Enhanced iGaming in Greece

In 2018, the Greek Finance Minister introduced a legal framework, which was ratified by the Greek Parliament in 2019 as part of a package of laws aimed at attracting more investors to the country.

Introduced as the Gambling Reform Act, this new bill expanded on Law No. 4002/2011 by introducing updated tax rules. It allowed transitional license holders to provide RNG-powered casino games and established new betting regulations.

Quick Tip

Operators can only provide games to people 21 and older. The maximum bet in any game is capped at €2, and the maximum payout for a gaming session is €5,000. However, the biggest jackpot allowed is €70,000, which significantly limits the availability of progressive jackpot games. In contrast, sports wagers can lead to winnings up to €500,000.

The Final Verdict

As highlighted by the legal framework behind Greece’s gambling industry, the country is among the world’s best places to gamble, due to the freedom offered and the population of bettors within the country.

Greece’s betting law framework is designed to safeguard its citizens and provide a fun, engaging, and responsible gaming experience, featuring a wide range of gaming options and a comprehensive library.

Still, despite the liberal gambling laws, the HGC is in place to safeguard players and shield them from unscrupulous operators, setting the Greek betting industry apart.

FAQ

What is the legal system of Greece?

According to the Greek constitution, the judicial system has two primary areas of authority: administrative and civil/criminal. These are split into three tiers: lower courts, higher appellate courts, and the Supreme Court.

Is gambling popular in Greece?

Greeks have a deep love for sports, particularly football, and this passion drives high demand for sports betting services. iGaming operators have capitalized on this by offering sports betting options and competitive odds to draw in Greek customers.

What is the tax on gambling in Greece?

There’s no tax on a player’s net profit of up to $ 100. A 2.5% tax applies to a player’s net profit between $ 100.01 and $ 200. For net profits between $ 200.01 and $ 500, the tax is 7.5 %. And for net profits over $ 500.01, the tax is 7.5%.

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Meet the Author

Kiko Badillo

Once wrote serious life-saving stuff for the government, now unleashes his inner geek on the blog world. When not taking a deep dive into comics and video game lore or performing music, he dreams of chilling in a cold, cozy spot with a beer in his hand – probably somewhere the government won't find him. Sports and gaming enthusiast by day, cartoon and gastronomy detective by night.