SlotYes - online gambling is legal in Greece, but only through operators licensed by the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC). Under Law 4002/2011 (as amended), online betting and online casino/poker are lawful when offered by holders of a valid HGC licence. Sites without that licence are illegal for players in Greece and are actively blocked; cryptocurrency is not accepted by licensed operators, so “crypto gambling” only exists on unregulated offshore platforms that offer no legal protection.
Legal status at a glance
Greece runs a licensed, regulated market. The framework was set by Law 4002/2011 (“Regulating the gaming market”) and later reforms that opened online licensing. Two online licence types exist: Type 1 for online betting and Type 2 for other online games of chance, including casino, poker and bingo. Each online licence runs for seven years. Dozens of operators have entered the regulated market, making Greece one of Europe’s more active licensed iGaming jurisdictions, with online betting the largest segment.
Regulator & licensing
The Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC / EEEP) supervises, audits and licenses all gambling. It maintains public lists of licensed operators and blacklisted illegal sites, and enforces responsible-gaming obligations. Notably, Greek and EU/EEA payment institutions are prohibited from processing deposits or withdrawals for operators on the HGC blacklist, cutting off the money flow to unlicensed sites.
Licensed vs offshore
| HGC-licensed | Offshore / unlicensed | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal for Greek players | Yes | No |
| Consumer protection | Yes (HGC oversight) | None |
| Tax handled at source | Yes | No |
| Crypto accepted | No | Sometimes (unregulated) |
| Payout guarantees | Regulated | None |
Stick to operators on the HGC register. Offshore “crypto casinos” may look attractive but are illegal to use from Greece and leave you with no recourse if funds are withheld.
Payment methods locals use
Greek players fund licensed accounts through regulated rails handled by institutions in Greece or the EU/EEA:
- Debit/credit cards (Visa, Mastercard)
- Bank transfer / IRIS instant payments and local online banking
- E-wallets such as PayPal and Skrill where supported
- Prepaid vouchers (e.g. Paysafecard)
- Cash top-ups at OPAP agency shops for retail products
Cryptocurrency is not part of the licensed ecosystem. HGC rules require payments through regulated credit, payment or e-money institutions with full player identification, which excludes Bitcoin, Ethereum and stablecoins.
Tax on winnings
Winnings are taxed at source on a progressive, per-session basis, so the operator withholds tax before paying you. As reported by Greek tax-authority and operator sources:
- The first EUR 100 is tax-free.
- Casino / games of chance are taxed at 15% on winnings from EUR 100.01 to EUR 500 and 20% above EUR 500.
- Sports betting uses a separate, lower scale - broadly 2.5% (EUR 100.01-200), 5% (EUR 200.01-500) and 7.5% above EUR 500.
Because thresholds and rates have been adjusted over time, always check the current tables on the AADE (tax authority) and your operator’s taxation page before assuming a rate.
Safer gambling & help
Licensed operators must offer deposit limits, self-exclusion and reality checks, overseen by the HGC. Free, confidential help is available through the KETHEA ALFA helpline on 1114 (Mon-Fri, 09:00-21:00), set up in 2011 with OPAP to support people affected by gambling.
18+ only. Gambling can be addictive - please play responsibly. If it stops being fun, call KETHEA on 1114.