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 in charge of 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 get a license. The initial permit is valid for 5 years, after which it must be renewed. Operators must also 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 lowest bet for all games of chance is €0.10 while the max is €2.00. It is illegal for casinos to offer games at a lower cost or to let patrons 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, and 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.
Regulations for online casinos in Greece
The legal market took off almost a decade ago when the government passed Law 4002/2011. The law legalized gambling in both its online and land-based forms, and it also paved the way for the establishment of the Hellenic Gaming Commission to oversee operators. Thanks to this Law, Greeks can now enjoy various forms of wagering activities without looking over the shoulder.
When it comes to casinos online in Greece, 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.
The age requirement applies to online casinos in Greece as well, meaning that you have to be 21 years to register an online casino account and play real money games in Greece. The country’s official currency is the Euro, and this is what you use to deposit and wager when playing online. It shouldn’t also go without mentioning that the legal websites are available in Greek hence you don’t have to worry about language and support.
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.
