Greece eyes major steps to end casino fragmentation

Summary

The Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) has launched a comprehensive assessment of Greece’s land-based casino market after the Ministry of Finance raised concerns over falling tax receipts from physical casinos. Chairman Antonis Vartholomaios says the review will aim to modernise the regulatory framework to reflect changes since 2018, including online growth and the rise of integrated resort developments.

Findings will be delivered to the Ministry of Finance, with a new framework expected to be implemented by spring 2026. The review will consider measures to revive smaller regional casinos, improve tax efficiency and ensure large-scale projects deliver measurable fiscal returns.

Key Points

The EEEP is conducting a wide-ranging review of Greece’s casino regime to address declining land-based tax revenues.
The 2018 reform moved Greece from concession-based regional casinos to transferable individual licences (Class-A and Class-B), attracting investment but fragmenting the market and pressuring smaller venues.
Land-based casino tax share has fallen below 10% of total gambling tax revenue, down from over 30% a decade ago, driven by closures and migration to regulated online platforms.
Integrated resorts (eg. Elliniko, Maroussi) are highlighted as more resilient business models that combine gaming with tourism, leisure and cultural amenities.
The review will propose a modern, sustainable framework by spring 2026, aiming to revive regional activity and boost fiscal returns from new developments.
The EEEP is also tightening online market governance; illegal, unlicensed gambling is estimated at around €1.7 billion annually.
Greece remains highly channelled compared with many European markets, with around 80% of activity through licensed operators.

Context and relevance

This review sits at the intersection of several industry trends: rapid online expansion, the emergence of integrated resorts as tourism anchors, and ongoing EU-driven compliance expectations (AML and fiscal transparency). For operators, investors and regulators, changes here could reshape licensing, taxation and where capital flows in Greece’s gaming and tourism sectors.

Potential outcomes may include policy moves to support smaller regional licences, stronger fiscal clawbacks from large developments, and tighter oversight of online operators to curb unlicensed activity.

Author note

Punchy and to the point: this isn’t a minor tweak. Greece’s review could redraw the map for operators and investors — from where casinos can operate to how they are taxed. If you have exposure to the Greek market or are watching integrated-resort opportunities in Southern Europe, the details matter.

Why should I read this?

Quick and simple — if you’re in gaming, tourism or investment, this signals possible rule changes that affect licences, tax take and future projects. It’ll change where money goes, which venues survive and how the state balances growth with tax returns. Worth a skim now and a deeper read if you have skin in the game.