Online gambling flourishes in Greece

2007-01-04 15:58:58

Gambling in Greece went from strength to strength in 2006 despite certain online and offline practises being illegal in the country, a new report has revealed.

Over €8.5 billion (£5.7 billion) is now spent on the pastime every year by Greek gamblers, reports Kathimerini news.

This is despite favourite facilities such as lotteries and online casinos being prohibited under national law. Electronic gambling of this nature nonetheless accounts for almost €1.5 billion (£1 billion) a year in expenditure.

And officials reveal that prohibiting such games could be having an adverse effect on the methods and accepted practises that go hand-in-hand with online gaming.

"The number of those who play [illegal games] is fewer than those who play the legal games, but the amounts that are bet are much larger," said a senior police source, speaking to Kathimerini.

Greece currently has nine casinos, with estimates putting 2007 spend at these venues at €3 billion (£2 billion). Some casinos are visited by as many as 3,000 people every day, it has been suggested.


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