Greece: gambling regulation and licensing

Greece is the one open licensed market in this batch. Law 4002/2011, amended by Law 4635/2019, put online gambling under the Hellenic Gaming Commission with two licence classes: a type 1 licence for online betting at EUR 3 million and a type 2 licence for other online games of chance, including casino and poker, at EUR 2 million. Both run for seven renewable years and carry a non-refundable EUR 10,000 participation fee for the procedure. The state takes 35 per cent of gross profit, or 30 per cent for horse-race betting. The procedure is open rather than capped, so any applicant meeting the legal requirements may apply. Greece is unusual in Europe for setting the minimum age at 21 for betting, casino, poker and bingo, with 18 reserved for lotteries and sweepstakes. Betting exchanges are prohibited. An uncapped procedure with a fixed licence fee is the important structural fact, because it means entry is a question of cost rather than of a competitive award. The age threshold of 21 across betting, casino, poker and bingo narrows the addressable market relative to most of Europe.

Regulator

Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC)

Regulator type

Dedicated regulator

Headline tax

35% GGR

Licence required

Yes

Minimum age

21+

Tax base

The state takes a 35 per cent participation in the gross profit of games of chance, reduced to 30 per cent for horse-race betting. Confirm the current rates against Law 4002/2011 as amended and the applicable tax provisions.

Capital

Athens

Currency

EUR

Official languages

Greek

Licence required

Yes

Application window

Open

Local establishment required

Not yet verified

Local server required

Not yet verified

Barriers to entry

The licence fees are the main barrier: EUR 3 million for type 1 and EUR 2 million for type 2, on top of a non-refundable participation fee of EUR 10,000 for the procedure. The procedure itself is open to anyone meeting the legal requirements rather than being a capped tender.

Headline GGR tax

35% GGR

Effective date

Not yet verified

Tax base

The state takes a 35 per cent participation in the gross profit of games of chance, reduced to 30 per cent for horse-race betting. Confirm the current rates against Law 4002/2011 as amended and the applicable tax provisions.

Minimum age

21+

National self-exclusion

Not yet verified

KYC requirements

Not yet verified

Stake limits

Not yet verified

Advertising permitted

Yes

Affiliate rules

Affiliates are not separately licensed. Only licensed operators may be promoted, and promotion of unlicensed gambling to Greek consumers is prohibited and separately sanctioned.

Sponsorship rules

Sponsorship is available to licensed operators and is treated as advertising, so it carries the same content restrictions and the same prohibition on material aimed at minors.

Celebrity and influencer rules

Advertising may not use characters who appear to be minors or content designed to appeal to them. Influencer and social media promotion is treated as advertising and must be confined to audiences above the applicable age threshold.

Social media rules

Social media advertising of products other than slots is permitted only where the audience is restricted to users above the applicable age threshold, reported as 21 for social media targeting.

Bonus advertising rules

Promotional offers must be presented transparently and must not mislead about the likelihood of winning or the value of the offer.

Mandatory warnings

Advertising must carry responsible-gambling information, identify the Hellenic Gaming Commission and state the minimum legal age.

Penalties for breach

The Hellenic Gaming Commission can impose administrative fines and act against the licence. Advertising unlicensed gambling carries separate and more serious sanctions under Law 4002/2011, including criminal liability.

ISP blocking

Yes

DNS blocking

Not yet verified

Payment blocking

Yes

App store takedowns

Not yet verified

Operator liability

The Hellenic Gaming Commission maintains a blacklist of unlicensed operators, works with internet service providers on website blocking and with payment institutions to restrict transactions to illegal platforms.

Greece is stable rather than in flux. The themes to watch are the renewal cycle as the first seven-year licences approach expiry, whether the EUR 2 to 3 million fee structure continues to keep smaller operators out, and the effect of the 35 per cent gross-profit take on channelisation against a persistent offshore market. The 21-year age floor for most verticals also makes Greece a useful comparator in the European player-protection debate.

What does a Greek online gambling licence cost?

EUR 3 million for a type 1 online betting licence and EUR 2 million for a type 2 licence covering other online games of chance, each valid for seven renewable years, plus a EUR 10,000 non-refundable participation fee.

What is the minimum gambling age in Greece?

21 for casino gaming, poker, bingo and betting. 18 applies to lotteries and sweepstakes with monetary prizes.

Who regulates online gambling in Greece?

The Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC), under Law 4002/2011 as amended by Law 4635/2019.

• Italy
• Spain
• Poland

1. Hellenic Gaming Commission (Epitropi Epopteias kai Elegchou Paignion)

   Hellenic Gaming Commission

   Tier 1Accessed 4 Aug 2026
2. Gambling Laws and Regulations 2026 - Greece

   ICLG (International Comparative Legal Guides)

   ICLG labels the two online licences type A and type B; CMS and the market use type 1 and type 2 for the same instruments. The record uses type 1 and type 2. ICLG also does not cite Law 4635/2019, which CMS identifies as the amending act that created the current online regime.

   Tier 3Accessed 4 Aug 2026
3. CMS Expert Guide to online gambling regulation in Europe - Greece

   CMS Legal

   Tier 3Accessed 4 Aug 2026
4. Hellenic Gaming Commission (Epitropi Epoptias kai Elegchou Paignion)

   Hellenic Gaming Commission (translated)

   Tier 1Accessed 30 Aug 2026