Best 37 Online Casinos in Greece 2020

History of Gambling in Greece

The culture of playing gambling games is deeply rooted among the Greeks. Early records reveal that the people of ancient Greece enjoyed playing various gambling games like betting on animal fights, and there were special animals bred for that purpose. Ancient Greek authors like Homer have also mentioned games of luck like heads or tails and throwing dice in their texts. The practice also bears religious significance among the Greeks. An anecdote from ancient mythology tells of the gods Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon throwing dice to split the universe among them. This is how Zeus got to rule the heavens, Poseidon the seas, and Hades the underworld. It was also common practice for gamblers to pray to Hermes, who was considered the god of gambling, before playing games of luck. Nonetheless, wagering was widely perceived as a vice during ancient times, and those who visited gambling parlors were not regarded with respect. The rulers of Ancient Greece also made several efforts to protect the people from the negative effects of gambling by banning the activity. Gambling remained largely illegal until 1994 when the government passed law 2206/1994 to legalize land-based casinos. The law authorized nine casinos to operate in various Greek cities and islands. Legal gambling games under the Act included slot machines, blackjack, baccarat, punto banco, dice, and French and American roulette. The enactment of this law saw several casinos open up across the country. These include Regency Casino Thessaloniki (1996), Casino Syros in Ermoupoli (1997), Casino Rodos in Rhodes (1999). In 2002, the Greek government passed a controversial law banning all forms of electronic games, raising uncertainty over the legality of casino games like slot machines. The ban landed the country in trouble with the European Commission, and efforts to some clauses of the legislation did not work. The European Commission referred Greece to the European Court of Justice in February 2005, and the controversial legislation was eventually repealed in 2011 by Law No. 4002/2011. The legislation legalized online casinos and paved the way for 24 operators to apply for temporary permits. It also established the Hellenic Gaming Commission to issue permits, collect gambling taxes, and regulate operators. Other types of internet gambling games like online poker, sports betting, fantasy sports, lotteries, bingo, social gaming, and skill-based games were also legalized. The passage of this law saw several international brands enter the legal Greece market, transforming the sector into a multi-billion Euro industry. In 2019, licensed operators in Greece processed more than €16 billion worth of wagers and generated about €2.23 million in revenue. The Greek government is currently considering expanding the regulated market by introducing land-based casinos in popular tourism destinations like Santorini, Crete, and Mykonos. An integrated casino resort is also coming up at the abandoned Hellinikon Airport in Athens, and this will definitely drive more growth in the industry.

Are Casinos Legal in Greece?

As mentioned above, casino gaming is completely legal in Greece. The country legalized brick-and-mortar gambling houses in 1994, while online casinos were allowed in 2011. The main authority that regulates both land-based and online operators is the Hellenic Gaming Commission, which was established in 2011. The work of the Commission is to regulate and supervise licensees operating within the Greek territory. The Commission is also responsible for auditing games of chance to ensure that they are fair and random. To set up a casino in Greece, prospective licensees have to pay €3 million to the Commission to obtain a license. The initial permit is valid for 5 years, after which it must be renewed. Operators are also required to remit 35% of their gross gaming revenue to the government in taxes every month. If you are planning to visit a casino in Greece, you can expect to find all types of games including slot machines and live tables. The available table games include baccarat, punto banco, blackjack, French Roulette, American Roulette, Craps, Omaha, Texas Hold’em, 5 Card Stud Poker, and 7 Card Stud Poker. The minimum bet for all games of chance is €0.10 while the maximum €2.00. It is illegal for casinos to offer games at a lower cost or to allow patrons to bet on credit. The largest land casino in Greece currently is the Regency Casino Mont Parnes which sits on the slopes of Mount Parnitha in Athens. The facility features more than 700 slot machines, 52 table games, and 12 poker tables. The other casinos operating in the country are Regency Casino Thessaloniki, Club Hotel Casino Loutraki, Casino Rodos, Casino Syros, Casino Corfu, Casino Xanthi, Porto Rio Hotel & Casino in Patra, and Casino Porto Carras in Halkidiki. Gambling venues in the country do not charge an entry fee, but you must be at least 21 years to be admitted to the premises. When it comes to online wagering, Greek players have about 15 legal casino sites to choose from. These sites are available in the Greek language and they use the Euro as the main currency. You can find all sorts of gambling games including online slots, computerized table games, live casino games, and specialty games like keno, bingo, and scratchers on these platforms. Sports betting is also a common offering at Greece online casinos. In addition to the locally licensed websites, players from the country also have access to a vast range of real money gambling sites regulated in other jurisdictions. Although these offshore sites do not hold a permit from the Hellenic Gaming Commission, punters can still access them and place bets legally from various locations in Greece.