Greek gambling market exceeds €3 billion as online growth accelerates
Greece’s regulated gambling market continues to expand and is entering a new phase of development in which online gaming, technological innovation and player protection are set to play an increasingly central role. In 2025, total Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) reached €3.073 billion, up 6.74 per cent on the previous year. The figure is contained in the annual report published by the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP).
The document was presented by the Authority’s president, Antonis Vartholomaios, to the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis. The report outlines the Commission’s activities during 2025 and sets out the main strategic priorities that will guide the regulator through to 2030.
Digital growth outpaces the land-based market
The Greek market retains a strong land-based component, but the figures confirm a gradual move towards digital channels. In 2025, land-based gambling accounted for 61.2 per cent of total GGR, while the online segment accounted for 38.79 per cent. Online gambling was the fastest-growing segment, with online gaming revenue rising by 11.75 per cent year on year, compared with growth of 3.8 per cent in the land-based sector.
The gap between the two segments remains substantial, but the pace of online expansion shows that consumer habits are changing. Digital platforms are becoming increasingly important not only in terms of stakes and revenue, but also within the market’s fiscal and regulatory framework.
According to the report, 54.5 per cent of Greek adults took part in at least one form of gambling during 2025. People aged between 25 and 34 and those aged between 45 and 54 were particularly well represented in online gambling compared with their share of the general population, partly because of their greater familiarity with digital technologies and platforms.
Public revenue approaches €1.17 billion
The sector’s growth also had a significant impact on public finances. In 2025, revenue generated by the gambling market for the Greek state reached approximately €1.169 billion, an increase of 11.24 per cent compared with 2024. The largest share came from online gambling operators, which accounted for 63.05 per cent of the sector’s total public revenue. OPAP contributed 27.95 per cent, land-based casinos 5.28 per cent, and other licensed providers the remaining 3.72 per cent.
The EEEP also recorded revenue of €3.25 million from instalments paid by licensed online operators related to operating licence fees. These figures confirm that the digital segment has become essential to the economic sustainability of the regulated system. Its expansion, however, also increases the need for faster and more sophisticated controls, particularly in the areas of consumer protection, transaction traceability and anti-money laundering.
The EEEP strategy for 2026-2030
The Authority described 2025 as a year of strategic groundwork. The EEEP established its development plan for the 2026-2030 period, structured around seven main priorities. These include player protection and the promotion of responsible gambling, stronger supervision, support for investment and innovation, anti-money laundering measures, the Authority’s digital transformation, greater transparency and the development of international cooperation.
During the presentation of the report, Kaklamanis stressed the need to strengthen protections for minors and the most vulnerable groups in society. The Speaker of Parliament also highlighted the importance of stepping up action against illegal gambling and betting. Vartholomaios, meanwhile, emphasised the need to reinforce the EEEP’s institutional role in a rapidly evolving market. The report will now be submitted to the Parliamentary Committee on Institutions and Transparency for further examination.
Artificial intelligence and data-driven supervision
One of the central elements of the new strategy is the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence to enhance the Authority’s market monitoring capabilities. The EEEP plans to integrate advanced data analytics tools, RegTech and SupTech systems, and new IT infrastructure. The aim is to make compliance controls more effective, identify anomalies and potentially risky behaviour, and strengthen the prevention of problem gambling.
The regulator therefore intends to move towards an increasingly data-driven model of supervision, capable of identifying signs of risk at an early stage and responding more quickly to changes across the industry. The Commission has already developed its own data warehouse dedicated to the gambling market. In 2025, the project received a Silver Award in the “Best Use of Data” category at the BITE Awards, recognising the Authority’s growing focus on the structured use of information in sector supervision.
Illegal gambling remains an unresolved challenge
The report also addresses the unlicensed market. According to the data, 10.6 per cent of the Greek population is estimated to have participated in at least one form of illegal gambling during 2025. The issue appears to be particularly widespread online. Among those involved in unlicensed gambling, 70.5 per cent said they had used illegal websites, while 56.4 per cent had visited unlicensed land-based venues.
The main reasons given for using unlicensed platforms were the availability of odds or bonuses perceived as more attractive and the absence of, or less stringent, application of identity verification procedures. Tackling illegal supply will therefore be one of the areas in which the EEEP will need to concentrate its resources. Growth in the regulated market does not automatically eliminate demand for unlicensed operators, particularly when those businesses offer aggressive commercial terms or apply less rigorous controls.
New rules for self-exclusion, B2B suppliers and Live Casino Studios
The priorities for the coming years also include a review of responsible gambling rules and an update to player self-exclusion procedures. The aim is to make protection tools more effective and better aligned with a market in which players can access numerous platforms and products across different devices.
The Authority also intends to develop a dedicated regulatory framework for B2B technology suppliers and Live Casino Studios. These segments are playing an increasingly important role in the digital gambling ecosystem, providing software, platforms, content, payment systems, and infrastructure to operators that serve consumers directly. The plan also includes updating the regulatory framework covering artificial intelligence, big data, virtual reality, esports, loot boxes and emerging forms of digital entertainment.
This article was first published on the Italian SiGMA News page on 16 July 2026.
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