The Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP), Greece's independent gambling regulator, is taking the lead in addressing vulnerabilities that allow players to create multiple accounts under different names across various platforms. This focus was highlighted during a recent meeting convened by the Commission.
The EEEP is particularly concerned with VIPs and high-value customers (HVCs) who might bet large amounts—often totaling hundreds of thousands of euros each year. To gain better insight into this segment, the Commission has requested detailed reports from all 18 licensed gambling operators regarding their processes for registering, retaining, and incentivizing these premium players, including aspects like bonuses and hospitality offerings.
While the EEEP has stated that the collected data will serve statistical purposes, those within the industry suggest that this reflects a desire to gain greater control over a segment that has historically faced less stringent oversight. There is apprehension that the attractive benefits extended to VIPs could drive gambling away from regulated markets and onto unlicensed foreign websites, compromising tax compliance and regulatory authority.
In response to current practices where online gambling providers individually verify customers, the EEEP is advocating for a unified player verification system. The fragmented system has been deemed inadequate for Greece's needs, prompting regulators to push for a centralized identity certification process. The aim is to implement a “single gate” for player verification, likely utilizing the state’s e-Gov platform.
Currently, this platform facilitates license applications for those involved in affiliate promotions and other essential roles in the gambling sector but lacks a comprehensive verification system for all players. An earlier proposal to leverage banks as a certification hub was scrapped due to legal authority issues cited by the General Secretariat for Information Systems.
Greece's gambling market has been experiencing steady growth in recent years, with projections indicating that it could expand from approximately €1.2 billion in gross win to €1.5 billion in the coming years. "Greece is an attractive market as it’s growing strongly still [15% year on year growth]," remarked Ed Birkin, managing director at H2 Gambling Capital, earlier this year. The online segment, in particular, has shown significant growth, driven largely by clarity and predictability in the regulatory landscape.
