According to local reporting, the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP), Greece’s independent regulator responsible for overseeing gambling activities, is spearheading efforts to close loopholes that currently allow players to register multiple times under different names across various platforms. This was cited at a recent meeting hosted by EEEP.
Increased focus on VIP and high-value customers
Alongside broader player identification reforms, the EEEP is intensifying scrutiny of VIPs and high-value customers (HVCs), who may wager sums running into hundreds of thousands of euros annually.
The Commission reportedly requested information from all 18 licensed operators about how they register, retain and incentivise these premium players, including the use of bonuses and hospitality.
Although the EEEP has stated the data is for statistical purposes, industry insiders interpret this as a move to better understand and control a sector that has historically enjoyed more lenient oversight.
The underlying concern is that attractive perks for VIPs may inadvertently encourage gambling activity to flow from the regulated market to unlicensed foreign platforms, undermining tax compliance and regulatory control.
Towards a unified player certification system
Current practice sees online gambling providers certifying customers individually, a method now viewed as insufficient for the Greek market. The local reporting revealed that regulators consider this fragmented approach too weak, prompting a push for a single, reliable identity verification system.
A primary objective is establishing a “single gate” for player certification, potentially through the state’s e-Gov platform.
Although the platform currently manages licence applications for individuals involved in affiliate promotion and other critical roles in the gambling industry, it does not yet offer a universal verification framework for all players.
An earlier initiative to use banks as a certification hub was abandoned after the General Secretariat for Information Systems cited a lack of legal authority for such a system.
The growing online market
Greece’s gambling sector has been expanding steadily in recent years.
“Greece is an attractive market as it’s growing strongly still [15% year on year growth] and is about a €1.2 billion market in terms of gross win, forecast to reach €1.5 billion in the next couple of years,” said Ed Birkin, managing director at H2 Gambling Capital earlier this year.
Growth in online channels was particularly notable. Regulatory clarity and predictability are frequently cited as key drivers for the concentration of gaming activity in Greece.
Kathryn Evans
Kathryn covers bitesize breaking news with a primary focus on EMEA and US legislation. A proud North Walian, fluent Welsh speaker and lifelong Wrexham FC fan – long before Hollywood came calling.