EGBA Challenges Greek Online Gambling Law

The European Gaming and Betting Association and the Remote Gambling Association filed a complaint this week with the European Commission against Greece's new online gambling law, claiming it is too protectionist and breaks EU law.

In Contravention of EU Law

Section of the law that force companies to have a permanent office in Greece and to conduct financial transaction only with Greek banks place unnecessary and unjustified economic burdens on new operators, the EGBA and RGA said in their submission.

The two groups, who represent Europe's largest online gambling companies pointed out that the European Commission itself had criticized these aspects when the law was drafter in June.

Several Problems Highlighted

The EGBA and RGA raised several points with the commission, saying they are particularly concerned about the new tax regulations that will require operators to pay taxes on revenues earned from Greece-based customers retroactively from January 1, 2010 until the new licenses have been awarded.

Another major problem is that the Greek Government is allowing its monopoly offline gambling operator OPAP, to continue operating until 2030 without paying any gambling taxes. This makes thing completely uncompetitive in a country where online operators must pay 30% in taxes.

In addition, the law bizarrely imposes a higher age limit for online gambling than it does for offline gambling, but does not provide any reason to support that restriction.

Decision Pending Soon

European Union Markets Commissioner Michael Barnier recently confirmed to European Parliament that he would assess the compliance of member states gambling legislation within EU law.

All gambling groups are now waiting to see whether he takes action against Greece, in accordance with the EGBA and RGA's complaints. We will report developments on these pages and at Online Casino Reports Greece.