SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The Greek Syriza government are reported to want to introduce a new licensing regime for online gambling operators, in a bid to restructure the country’s failed industry framework.
Last week Greek Deputy Finance Minister Tryfon Alexiadis informed the Hellenic Parliament that Syriza would proceed with reforming Greece’s licensing regime aiming to offer new licenses to international gambling operators seeking to enter the market.
Alexiadis had detailed that the current regime had been a complete failure, which had contributed a paltry €60,000 in the last three year to state coffers.
Looking to completely reform its licensing regime and form satisfactory market conditions, Syriza stated that its intentions were to “forge a conclusive regulatory landscape for online gaming”.
Syriza estimates that a new effective online gambling framework could generate up to €500 million in much needed tax revenues for Greece.
In 2015, the restructuring of Greece’s gambling framework had been noted as one of seven planned reforms by Syriza during the National Election campaign.
At the time, Former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis had detailed that new issued licenses would be valued at approximately €3 million.
Tax rates would remain the same for online gambling operators, however those licensed would have to serve the Greek betting consumers with approved payment systems controlled by the Greek Central Bank.
