Greece keeps online casino winnings tax and boosts inspections

Greece has kept the increase to the online casino winnings tax that took effect on 1 July 2026 and the State withheld €369,4M between January and August 2026, a rise of 27.3% year‑on‑year. The Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) published the figures and simultaneously opened a competition to recruit 40 inspectors for a second commission to monitor the market, with applications accepted until 6 November.

What changed in taxation

Since 1 July, net session winnings on online casino games between €100 and €500 are taxed at 20%, up from 15% previously. Session winnings above €500 are taxed at 30%, up from 20% before. The first €100 per session remain tax‑exempt. The adjustment affects online casino‑style games, including slot machines and poker. Betting products and OPAP’s retail network are under a separate regime and were not affected by this change.

The Minister of Finance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, presented the increase on 23 March together with Deputy Minister Thanos Petralias as part of a €300M package to mitigate the impact of higher energy costs, according to Pagenews. Unlike the temporary assistance measures, the tax rise is permanent. Pierrakakis stated:

“The revenue is calculated at €100M per year.” — Kyriakos Pierrakakis

The Government projects roughly €50M for the second half of 2026 and expects the full effect to be visible from 2027.

Collections and market figures for 2026

The EEEP published data covering January–August 2026, which place the tax withheld on player winnings at €369,4M, versus €290,2M in the same period of 2025, according to Powergame. Gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the entire legal market rose 4,2% to €2,06bn. The State’s share from operators increased 7,9% to €484,5M. The sum of both flows reached €853,9M, an approximate increase of 15,5%.

Growth in the online segment was the driver: online operators’ GGR rose 13,1% to €853,7M, representing about 41,4% of the legal market. By contrast, OPAP’s retail network, including VLTs, recorded a fall of 1,2% to €962,5M. These data cover the full eight months and all verticals; the new rates were only in force in July and August and the report does not isolate the direct impact of those two months.

Risk of illegal market and control measures

The EEEP warns of displacement to the illegal market. In 2024, 799.000 Greeks played on illegal networks, which generated an estimated volume of €1,67bn, with an approximate State loss of €400M. Authorities estimate around 11.000 illegal gambling websites operating in Greece.

The regulatory reform introduced this year accelerates blocking of illegal sites, expands the blacklist, grants investigative powers to inspectors and allows premises to be sealed. Organisers of illegal gambling face prison sentences of at least 10 years. Promotion of illegal gambling is also targeted: complaints have already been filed against 18 influencers for promoting unauthorised betting.

EEEP reinforcement: 40 inspector posts announced

The Hellenic Gaming Commission opened a call for 40 posts in the Gaming Inspectors Corps, to be filled by secondment from the public sector. The application deadline closes on 6 de noviembre. The offer breaks down into 7 posts for IT specialists, 25 for administrative and economic officers, 3 for legal staff and 5 for accountants. Candidates must demonstrate at least 5 years of public service.

The reform also raises the EEEP’s permanent staff from 80 to 110 posts. In the announcement the EEEP invited, in a translation from Greek:

“With 40 posts in the Gaming Inspectors Corps, we invite officials from across the public sector to bring their experience, ideas and creative thinking to the EEEP.”

Dimitris Ntzanatos, then president of the EEEP, had previously explained to Powergame that secondment finds competition in agencies such as the tax authority AADE, which attracts staff with higher pay.

Operators’ responses and outlook

Some operators are absorbing part of the increase so as not to reduce players’ net prizes. bet365 tells Greek customers it covers the tax applicable to the 20% band, so those prizes are not reduced by the withholding, according to its Greek help centre. Licensed operators already pay a 35% tax on GGR, so assuming the player levy directly reduces their margin.

The first full quarter with the new rates will provide a clearer test: if online GGR keeps double‑digit growth while withheld amounts rise, the Government will defend its elasticity model. A marked contraction would strengthen critics’ arguments. Greece shares regional concerns: Cyprus pursues a zero‑tolerance policy against illegal operators, and the United Kingdom has seen employment side‑effects from tax rises, according to figures cited in the report.

The EEEP is betting that the new inspectors and blocking tools will act before players migrate en masse out of the regulated market.