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Greece Betting Sites

Written by Paul Kemp
Paul Kemp is an experienced sports writer covering Soccer, NBA and NHL. He also writes in depth reviews of sports betting sites based on his personal experience.
, | Updated: December 9, 2024

Below you can find our expert reviews of reputable and regulated sports betting sites operating in Greece. Each betting site was thoroughly tested and verified by our team.

Gambling on the outcomes of sporting competitions has been an inseparable part of Greek culture. This small Mediterranean country introduced the Olympic Games to the world sometime in the 8th century B.C. when a man called Coroebus became the first-ever Olympic champion after winning the 192-meter foot race known as the “stade”.

Sporting competitions took place in major Ancient Greece cities like Olympus, Delphi, Corinth, and Nemea, with discus hurling, wrestling, foot racing, and long jumping ranking as some of the most popular sports at the time. Those who championed the competitions were often rewarded for their efforts with monetary prizes but many of the spectators were not left empty-handed, either. Entire fortunes changed hands as people wagered on the sporting events’ outcomes.

The Greeks’ love for sports and wagering continues well into the 21st century, with OPAP, the country’s lottery and betting operator, reporting the sports betting sector is on track for record revenue rates in 2018. And indeed, wagering on sports competitions’ outcomes ranks as one of the most widespread forms of betting among Greek gamblers who love to bet on sports such as, athletics, soccer, and basketball.

Greek Sports Betting Sites Ranked by Trustpilot Rating

Comparison of Sports Betting Sites in Greece

SportsbookSports on OfferMin DepositMin WithdrawalMin BetBonusesBonus Wagering RequirementsIn-Play BettingLicenses
22BetFootball, Tennis, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Volleyball, and over 40 other sports$/€1$/€10$0.10

• 100% Welcome Bonus up to €122
• Friday Reload Bonus
• 100% Refund on Acca Bets
• Refund on Losing Bets
• Weekly Rebate

• 5x bonus funds on accumulator bets (Welcome Bonus)
• 3x bonus funds on accumulator bets (Friday Reload)
• Full free bet wagered (100% Refund on Acca Bets)

Yes

Curaçao (#8048/JAZ2017-067)
Kahnawake Gaming Commission (#00882)

20BetFootball, Tennis, Basketball, Table Tennis, Ice Hockey, and 30+ other sports$/€10$/€10$/€0.10

• 100% Welcome Bonus up to $/€100
• Saturday Reload Bonus
• Forecast Free Bets

• 5x bonus amount on accumulator bets (Welcome Bonus)
• Full free bet wagered (Saturday Reload Bonus)
• Full free bet wagered (Forecast free bets)

Yes

Curaçao (#8048/JAZ2017-067)
Kahnawake Gaming Commission (#00882)

NovibetBasketball, Football, Soccer, Tennis, Hockey, Virtual Sports, and 30+ other sports$5 - ApplePay, PaysafeCard$10 - Interac Instant, Credit/Debit card$10$0.10

Sports Welcome Bonus

100% bonus up to $500; $10 minimum deposit requirement; Minimum betting odds 1.5; Turnover requirements must be met within 60 days (Sports Welcome Bonus)

Yes

Malta Gaming Authority (#MGA/CRP/186/2010)

bet365Football, Tennis, Speedway, Table Tennis, and 40+ other sports$/€10$/€10$/€0.10

New Account Offer up to €50 in Bet Credits

Place qualifying bets to release bet credits (New Account Offer)

Yes

UKGC (#055148-R-331498-001)
MGA (#MGA/CRP/531/2018)
Government of Gibraltar (#076)
+10 jurisdictions (including US states)

NetBetFootball, Horse Racing, Tennis, Basketball, Virtual Sports, and 35+ other sports$/£/€10$/£/€10€0.07 for pre-live betting and €0.13 for live betting

N/A

N/A

Yes

MGA (MGA/B2C/126/2006)

UKGC (39170)

RabonaSoccer, Horse Racing, Virtual Sports, Tennis, and 35+ other sports$/€10$/€20$/€1

First Deposit Bonus
100% up to €100;

100% Risk Free €100

Cashback Bonus 10% up tp €500

Minimum qualifying deposit – €20; WR vary based on bettors’ country of residence; WR must be met within 30 days of the first deposit; Minimum odds – 1.50
(First Deposit Bonus)

Yes

Curacao (8048/JAZ)

1xBitBaseball, Football, eSports, Horse Racing, Rugby, Soccer, and 40+ other sports0.01 mBTC20.00 mETH9.16 mLTC0.21 mBTCVaries based on account currency

Up to 7 BTC and
250 free spins
on the first four
deposits

40x on single and
parlay bets with min.
odds of 1.60

1 mBTC min.
deposit

Yes

No official license
information

Stake.comSoccer, Tennis,Baseball, Basketball, Cricket, American Football, and 25+ other sportsNo minimum deposit requirementsBTC: 0.00003928ETH: 0.00070433LTC: 0.03065997USDT: 2.50000000DOGE: 16.29724947BNB: 0.00635485Crypto: $0.00001 per betFiat: 0.10 regardless of currency

Regularly updated promotions, including event-specific bonuses

N/A

Yes

Antillephone, Government of Curaçao (8048/JAZ2021-027)
UKGC (38898)
Columbia (C1751)
Mexico (DGAJS/SCEVF/P-06/2005-TER EN)
Peru (N° 4748-2024-MINCETUR/VMT/DGJCMT, N° 4749-2024-MINCETUR/VMT/DGJCMT)

Sportsbet.ioSoccer, Tennis, Baseball, eSports, Virtual Sports, Horse Racing, and 35+ other sportsBTC 0.000007=mBTC 0.007ETH 0.00013LTC 0.002BTC 0.001=mBTC 1ETH 0.01LTC 0.1mBTC 0.01 (BTC 0.00001)ETH 0.001LTC 0.01

Champions Welcome Bonus

Minimum bet – 30 USDT on any event within 7 days after activating the bonus; Minimum odds of 1.5; 10 USDT free bet on any sport once the wagering requirements are met
(Champions Welcome Bonus)

Yes

Curaçao Gaming Control Board (OGL/2023/110/0072)

Top 10 Betting Sites for Greece

  1. 22Bet

    22Bet logo
    Bet Now Review
    Licenses
    Curaçao (#8048/JAZ2017-067) Kahnawake Gaming Commission (#00882)
    Min Deposit
    $/€1
    Min Withdrawal
    $/€10
    Withdrawal Time
    • Cryptocurrencies - 15 minutes• E-wallets - up to 24 hours• Credit & debit cards - up to 7 business days
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoNeteller logoSkrill logoSkrill 1-Tap logoPayPal logoPay4Fun logoPerfect Money logoSticpay logoBoleto logoBitcoin logoDogecoin logoEthereum logoDash logoZCash logoTether logoRipple logoLitecoin logoUnionPay logoAstropay logoJeton logoBitcoin Cash logoCardano  logoStellar  logoEOS logoAvalanche logoBinance Coin logoChainlink logoPolygon logoShiba Inu logoBitcoin Gold logoVerge logoDigiByte logoTron logoItaú Unibanco logoBradesco logoBanco do Brasil logoCaixa logoSantander logoAirtm logoDai logoPolkadot logoNEM logoQTUM logoTrueUSD logoPax Dollar logoLoterica logoJuventus logoBasic Attention Token logoToncoin logoCosmos Atom logoParis Saint-Germain Token logoAS Roma logoBinance USD logo
    Sponsorships
    N/A
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes email: support-en@22bet.com Phone: +357 99 816806
    X profileInstagram profileLinkedIn profile
    • Coverage of over 1,000 sporting events each day
    • Over 100 payment methods
    • Minimum deposits of $1 only
    • A broad range of limited-time and recurring sportsbook promos
    • Native iOS and Android apps
    • Dedicated customer support in several languages

    Greece bettors can always rely on 22bet whenever they are looking for competitive odds on some of the biggest sporting events. The bookmaker can make your experience extremely fun and fruitful, with betting markets allowing you to place different bets and choose the options you find most suitable for you.

    While 22bet offers the smoothest betting experience in the comfort of one’s home, the bookie also has a fully-optimized mobile version that allows easy betting on the go. Whether it is a pre-match bet that you want to place or you are considering in-play betting, at 22bet, you will be able to place the stakes you prefer.

  2. 20Bet

    20Bet logo
    Bet Now Review
    Licenses
    Curaçao (#8048/JAZ2017-067) Kahnawake Gaming Commission (#00882)
    Min Deposit
    $/€10
    Min Withdrawal
    $/€10
    Withdrawal Time
    • E-wallets - 12 hours• Cryptos - 24 hours•Credit/debit cards - 7 business days
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoPaysafecard logoPerfect Money logoBitcoin logoEthereum logoLitecoin logoAstropay logoMiFinity logoSofort logoecoPayz logoCashtoCode logoJeton logoeZeeWallet logoFlexepin logoNeosurf logoInterac logo
    Sponsorships
    N/A
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes email: support@20bet.com Phone: N/A
    X profileInstagram profileLinkedIn profile
    • Great coverage of top sporting events
    • A generous Welcome Offer
    • Supports different secure and easy-to-use payment methods
    • All punters automatically join the VIP program of 20Bet
    • Android and iOS users can bet on fully-optimized mobile version of 20Bet
    • 24/7 live chat customer support

    If you are looking for a reliable virtual bookie to place your favorite sporting bets with, you can head to the official website of 20bet. This betting brand knows how to ensure a fair, safe, and fun betting experience for its patrons, making their time at 20bet unforgettable. This bookmaker also caters to the needs of Greek punters, allowing them to bet on various local and international sporting events.

    As a member of 20bet, you will have access to numerous betting categories like match winner, totals, handicaps, and more. Live betting is also an option punters will be able to explore, with in-play bets being available on numerous sporting events. To allow easy payments, the bookmaker supports an array of payment solutions, including several popular crypto methods.

  3. Novibet

    Novibet logo
    Bet Now Review
    Licenses
    Malta Gaming Authority (#MGA/CRP/186/2010)
    Min Deposit
    $5 - ApplePay, PaysafeCard$10 - Interac Instant, Credit/Debit card
    Min Withdrawal
    $10
    Withdrawal Time
    Within 1 hour
    Deposit Methods
    Interac logoApple Pay logoPaysafecard logoVisa logoMastercard logoBank Transfer logoIRIS Online Payments logo
    Sponsorships
    Fortaleza, Huachipato FC, Aris FC, Atromitos FC, Volos FC, Asteras Tripolis, Panaitolikos, Panserraikos, Omonoia, Anorthosis
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes Email: support@novibet.com
    Facebook profileX profileInstagram profileYouTube chanelLinkedIn profile
    • Coverage of top sports, offering different bet markets
    • Dedicated Android and iOS apps
    • Convenient payment options
    • 24/7 customer support
    • Bountiful promotions for newcomers and regular bettors
    • High level of protection via SSL encryption

    Greek punters would rarely find a better destination for their sports betting other than Novibet. With the sportsbook initially targeting only Greeks, it definitely knows how to provide the best betting experience for them. To start your journey at Novibet, you can head to the sportsbook lobby and check the diverse sports covered by the bookie. Major leagues will be among the betting options one can make, with odds definitely being very competitive.

    Live betting is another feature that is worth exploring as it allows punters to place stakes on events as they are happening in real-time. To make the whole experience even more accessible, Novibet offers a dedicated app that can be installed on both Android and iOS devices.

  4. bet365

    bet365 logo
    Bet Now Review
    Licenses
    UKGC (#055148-R-331498-001) MGA (#MGA/CRP/531/2018) Government of Gibraltar (#076) +10 jurisdictions (including US states)
    Min Deposit
    $/€10
    Min Withdrawal
    $/€10
    Withdrawal Time
    * E-wallets - 1-4 hours* Debit Card - 1-4 hours* Credit Cards - 1-5 days* Wire Transfer - up to 12 hours
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoNeteller logoSkrill logoSkrill 1-Tap logoPayPal logoPaysafecard logoBank Transfer logoInstadebit logoiDebit logoAstropay logoInterac logoApple Pay logo
    Sponsorships
    UEFA Champions League
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes email: support.eng@customerservices365.com Phone: 00 800 1236 5365
    Facebook profileX profileLinkedIn profile
    • Broad experience on the online gaming scene
    • Several bonuses and promotions
    • Responsive customer support
    • Apps for iOS and Android users
    • Advantageous odds
    • Great market coverage

    Greece is one of the numerous countries where bet365 operates, offering punters the chance to enjoy a top-notch betting experience. The sportsbook section of the brand caters to the needs of various bettors, offering odds on a myriad of sporting events. Football, tennis, and basketball are among the popular sections of the sportsbook but bettors will have the opportunity to explore many more options.

    To please every type of punter, the bookie is offering both pre-match and live betting, with each option offering different betting markets. For those who are constantly on the move, there is a dedicated mobile app that will allow easy sports betting on the go.

  5. NetBet

    NetBet logo
    Review
    Licenses
    MGA (MGA/B2C/126/2006)UKGC (39170)
    Min Deposit
    $/£/€10
    Min Withdrawal
    $/£/€10
    Withdrawal Time
    Bank cards - 2-4 business daysE-wallets - 1 business dayBank transfers - up to 48 hours
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoNeteller logoSkrill logoPayPal logoPaysafecard logoTrustly logoSofort logoCashtoCode logoApple Pay logo
    Sponsorships
    Premier League West Bromwich Albion; Ligue 1 St. Etienne, FC Steaua București
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: YesEmail: support@netbet.comPhone: N/A
    X profileInstagram profile
    • A reliable virtual sportsbook
    • Offers various promotions
    • Provides a dedicated mobile application
    • Supports various payment options
    • Presents punters with a wide range of betting options
    • Live streaming of big sporting events

    NetBet is a gambling brand that can help Greek bettors to revel in a very rewarding, fun, and smooth virtual betting experience. The bookie is offering odds on various popular sports like football, basketball, tennis, and many more. Do not hesitate to check all categories as even the less common sports options can offer exciting bets.

    As a member of NetBet, you will have the chance to make pre-match bets on your favorite sporting events. However, many of them might also be available in the in-play betting section of the bookie. That way you will be able to decide on your bets as games are being played in real-time.

  6. Rabona

    Rabona logo
    Licenses
    Curacao (8048/JAZ)
    Min Deposit
    $/€10
    Min Withdrawal
    $/€20
    Withdrawal Time
    Bank cards - 2-5 daysEwallets, Crypto - instant
    Deposit Methods
    Mastercard logoPaysafecard logoSkrill logoSkrill 1-Tap logoNeteller logoJeton logoMiFinity logoBitcoin Cash logoTether logoBitcoin logoLitecoin logoEthereum logoRipple logoUSD Coin logoDai logoInterac logoBank Transfer logo
    Sponsorships
    N/A
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes Email: support@rabona.com
    Telegram accountYouTube chanel
    • Great selection of pre-match bets
    • Live betting on numerous sporting events
    • Fully-optimized to run on mobile devices
    • Plenty of promotions for new and existing members
    • Supports many secure payment methods
    • Quick responses from customer support team

    Rabona is a betting brand that caters to the needs of numerous punters, including ones based in Greece. To keep everyone pleased, the bookie offers competitive odds on numerous sporting events, allowing Rabona members to bet on some of the biggest leagues and tournaments in the world.

    In addition to a wide range of pre-match options, the bookie is also providing plenty of in-play bets. Not only will this sportsbook category allow punters to place bets on events while they are being played in real-time, but it will also offer them the chance to choose from different betting markets, making the whole experience even more exciting.

  7. BC.Game

    BC.Game logo
    Licenses
    Тhe Curacao Gaming Control Board (OGL/2023/118/0060)
    Min Deposit
    No minimum deposit requirements
    Min Withdrawal
    $/€20
    Withdrawal Time
    Cryptocurrencies - minutes to a few hoursE-wallets - within 24 hoursBank cards bank transfers - 2-5 business days
    Deposit Methods
    Bitcoin logoEthereum logoTether logoRipple logoDogecoin logoLitecoin logoTron logoBitcoin Cash logoStellar  logoChainlink logoPolkadot logoEOS logoUSD Coin logoDai logoMonero logoUniswap logoBitcoin SV logoAave logoYearn.finance (YFI) logo
    Sponsorships
    LCFC; Cloud9 - CS2; Cloud9 0 Dota2; Jason Derulo
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: YesEmail: support@bc.gamePhone: N/A
    Facebook profileX profileInstagram profileTelegram accountDiscord channe
    • Crypto sportsbook supporting a wide range of crypto coins
    • Fast and secure payments
    • Extensive sports coverage
    • In-play bets on various sporting events
    • Optimized to run on any mobile device
    • Safe betting experience thanks to industry-standard security tools

    Those who are ready to embrace one of the newest ways to bet online can head to BC.GAME. This is a betting brand that allows its members to use cryptocurrencies to handle their deposits and withdrawals and enjoy safe and extremely convenient sports betting. Greek punters can also join the crypto sportsbook and place bets on many of their favorite sporting events.

    As the sports betting section of the brand offers bets on numerous sports, it is easy to find the latest biggest events and place your wagers on the teams or players you support. Both pre-match and live betting is available to members of BC.GAME, enabling a fun betting experience for every type of punter.

  8. 1xBit

    1xBit logo
    Bet Now
    Licenses
    No official license information
    Min Deposit
    0.01 mBTC20.00 mETH9.16 mLTC
    Min Withdrawal
    0.21 mBTC
    Withdrawal Time
    10 to 30 minutes
    Deposit Methods
    Bitcoin logoEthereum logoTron logoEthereum Classic logoRipple logoDogecoin logoDash logoZCash logoNEM logoVerge logoQTUM logoCardano  logoStellar  logoToncoin logoAvalanche logoPolygon logoTether on Ethereum logo
    Sponsorships
    N/A
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes Email: support-en@1x-bit.com security@1x-bit.com Phone: N/A
    X profileInstagram profileTelegram accountYouTube chanel
    • Crypto sportsbook supporting a wide range of cryptocurrencies
    • Covers numerous popular sports
    • Live betting available on many sporting events
    • Mobile version compatible with different smart devices
    • Responsive customer support
    • Supports multi-view

    With crypto betting becoming a huge trend, Greek punters may also want to change to something different. In that case, they can head to 1xbit where they will be met with a plethora of betting options, with payments being processed extremely fast and safe via different cryptocurrencies.

    Football, basketball, and tennis are just a few of the sports covered by 1xbit but bettors can explore plenty of other categories and find competitive odds on various sporting events. The bookie is providing different betting markets that can make one’s experience more exciting and profitable. Additionally, bettors can pick some of the 1xbit promotions and add value to their bets at any time.

  9. Stake.com

    Stake.com logo
    Licenses
    Antillephone, Government of Curaçao (8048/JAZ2021-027) UKGC (38898) Columbia (C1751) Mexico (DGAJS/SCEVF/P-06/2005-TER EN) Peru (N° 4748-2024-MINCETUR/VMT/DGJCMT, N° 4749-2024-MINCETUR/VMT/DGJCMT)
    Min Deposit
    No minimum deposit requirements
    Min Withdrawal
    BTC: 0.00003928ETH: 0.00070433LTC: 0.03065997USDT: 2.50000000DOGE: 16.29724947BNB: 0.00635485
    Withdrawal Time
    Up to 4 business days
    Deposit Methods
    Bitcoin logoEthereum logoLitecoin logoDogecoin logoBitcoin Cash logoTron logoEOS logoTether logoCronos logoUSD Coin logoApeCoin logoThe Sandbox (SAND) logoShiba Inu logoUniswap logoPolygon logoSolana logo
    Sponsorships
    UFC, Everton Football Club, Enyimba Football Club, Team Secret (eSports), Stake F1 Team, Esporte Clube Juventude, Davis Cup & Billie Jean King Cup, Caio Borralho, and more
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes Email: support@stake.com
    Facebook profileX profileInstagram profileYouTube chanelLinkedIn profile
    • Supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies
    • Covers top popular sports
    • Provides both pre-match and in-play betting
    • Offers ways to buy crypto for sports wagering on the site
    • Quick and secure payments
    • Great live support

    Greek bettors can enjoy a superb experience at Stake.com, which is the trendiest crypto sportsbook at the moment. Instead of relying on standard payment methods, members of the brand can handle all of their wallets using some of the most popular crypto coins and enjoy fast and extremely secure payments. There is also the option to purchase crypto coins using standard payment methods and start your crypto betting right away.

    Bettors who join Stake.com will be offered competitive odds on some of the most popular sporting events, with the bookie also covering less popular sports. When you are browsing through the betting options offered by Stake.com, you will also find in-play bets on quite a few events. That way, you can make your betting experience with the bookie extra thrilling.

  10. Sportsbet.io

    Sportsbet.io logo
    Licenses
    Curaçao Gaming Control Board (OGL/2023/110/0072)
    Min Deposit
    BTC 0.000007=mBTC 0.007ETH 0.00013LTC 0.002
    Min Withdrawal
    BTC 0.001=mBTC 1ETH 0.01LTC 0.1
    Withdrawal Time
    Within 15 minutes
    Deposit Methods
    Bitcoin logoTether logoEthereum logoTron logoLitecoin logoDogecoin logoRipple logoCardano  logo
    Sponsorships
    Hull City, New Castle United, FIBA WASL, Imperial Esports
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: YesEmail: hello@sportsbet.ioContact Us Form
    Facebook profileX profileInstagram profileTelegram accountYouTube chanelTikTok profile
    • Crypto sportsbook supporting a number of cryptocurrencies
    • Easy and fast payments
    • Competitive odds on a wide range of events
    • Live betting for fans of numerous sports
    • Bountiful sportsbook promotions
    • Clubhouse TV offering in-play betting tips and commentary

    Bettors will be able to enjoy a top-notch sports betting experience if they join Sportsbet.io and start placing wagers on their favorite sporting events. This is a crypto sportsbook, meaning punters will be able to use many of the popular cryptocurrencies to fund their betting wallets and withdraw their winnings. Using crypto for betting can be considered a huge advantage as it allows extremely fast and secure payments.

    In addition to convenient payments, Sportsbet.io also offers a great betting experience thanks to a variety of wagering options. The bookie covers some of the most popular sports as well as some more niche categories. With fun betting markets and even in-play bets, this sportsbook can easily become your favorite place to bet on sports.

The legal situation pertaining to sports betting in Greece is somewhat complex but this has not prevented many of the locals from taking their wagers to the internet where they have a choice from tons of betting markets, great odds, and a variety of appetizing bonuses and promotions.

In this Sportingpedia guide to sports wagering in Greece, you can find information about the legalities, the current regulations and the most important betting laws, followed by sections on market coverage, available promotions, and supported payment methods for punters from the country.

Legality and Regulation of Sports Betting in Greece

Legality and RegulationOnline sports betting, and gambling in general, are legal in Greece, with punters having a choice from various landbased sportsbooks that operate under licenses issued by the state-owned OPAP (Organization of Football Prognosis). The latter also holds a monopoly on the online sports betting sector in the country, with very few offshore operators holding interim licenses to service customers from Greece.

This has given rise to a thriving gray market as many Greek punters chose to take their sports betting action to unauthorized offshore betting sites that continue to accept wagers from the country despite the restrictions. At the moment of writing, there are no known cases of Greek bettors being persecuted by the law for participating in sports betting on foreign sportsbooks that lack domestic licenses.

That being said, punters from the country are required to pay taxes on winnings they generate through sports betting. Before the changes that took place in 2013, Greek sports bettors were required to contribute with a 10% tax on their profits.

The 2013 amendments in the law brought about a tiered taxation system where the tax rates fluctuate depending on the amount won. Those who generate profits ranging between €100 and €500 are expected to pay a 15% tax whereas winnings exceeding this threshold have a tax of 20% imposed on them. Casual punters who generate profits under the €100 threshold are not taxed.

It should be noted that Greeks who punt at offshore-based online sportsbooks are not necessarily subject to taxation for the simple reason there is no regulatory framework to govern the winnings generated on websites licensed under foreign jurisdictions. However, it is every Greek punter’s personal responsibility to pay their winnings taxes.

Online betting gained such massive traction in Greece at the beginning of the 20th century that the country’s government attempted to altogether ban wagering on the internet in 2002. Following the economic hit the country took during the 2008-2010 financial crisis, Greek legislators were forced to review their stance on online gambling in 2010.

In 2011, as many as 24 temporary licenses were issued to online betting companies, including major players on the sports betting scene like the Ireland-based Paddy Power and the British-based Ladbrokes and William Hill. Those who violated the Greek laws by accepting sports betting wagers without a domestically issued license were threatened with severe penalties, including hefty fines and imprisonment.

The good news is Greece is set to permanently open its market to foreign competition by introducing new regulations on online sports betting and gambling as a whole. Under the new regulatory regime, the country is to grant permanent licenses to the 24 betting companies that operate under interim licenses. Stick with us to learn more about the most important pieces of legislation pertaining to the online sports betting sector in Greece.

Key Sports Betting Laws

Key Sports Betting LawsThe year 1996 can easily be described as a turning point for the sports betting sector in Greece as the country’s government granted exclusive rights to the state-owned OPAP, which resulted in the sector’s monopolization. OPAP’s exclusive rights were initially intended to expire by the year 2020 but later this period was extended to 2030.

With the advance in technologies that marked the turn of the 21th century, online sports betting became increasingly popular among Greek punters. This resulted in the enactment of Law 3037/2002, a rather vague and hotly debated piece of legislation that aimed at banning all forms of interactive gambling on the territory of the country.

Interestingly enough, Law 3037/2002 was proposed and enacted after a member of PASOK (the Panhellenic Socialist Movement) was caught participating in illegal landbased gambling activities. Vague as it was, this piece of legislation effectively prohibited all forms of interactive gambling, including casino gaming, sports betting, and even arcades and video games in public places such as the then-widespread internet cafes whose customers actively partook in online chess and other similar forms of entertainment.

The law applied to both the locals and foreigners who were not allowed to bring any form of video games on mobile devices in the country. Owners of internet cafes who failed to comply with Law 3037 faced hefty fines (up to €75,000), closure, and even jail time (up to twelve months).

The ban unleashed a thriving black market in the country, with an increasing number of sports bettors taking their action to foreign-licensed online sportsbooks. Law 3037 was enacted in July 2002 and caused a good deal of controversy across the European Union. Some reputable offshore betting operators like William Hill, Stanleybet, and Sportingbet were willing to apply for local licenses and indeed did so only to be given the cold shoulder by Greek regulators.

Law 3037/2002 was overthrown in August 2011 and Law 4002/2011, also known as the 2011 Gambling Act, was enforced. Under the amendments, the Greek government issued temporary licenses to 24 online betting operators, including the UK-based Ladbrokes and William Hill.

A regulatory framework was expected to be introduced in the following year, but Greek legislators suddenly had a change of heart and decided to continue pushing for the OPAP monopoly. In 2012, the Greek lawmakers came up with proposals that aimed at cementing the state monopoly on sports betting.

In the winter of the same year, the operators with interim licenses were requested to start withdrawing their services from the Greek market. Some choose to leave immediately while others decided to hold out and wait for favorable changes in the rigid regulatory framework.

Things quickly escalated and the matter with OPAP’s monopoly was taken to the highest court in Europe. Foreign operators like William Hill and Stanleybet argued that the monopolization was against the principles of healthy competition and the free market laws in the European Union.

The Greek authorities, in turn, argued that RNG-based games are highly addictive, a somewhat hypocritical statement considering OPAP is allowed to legally operate tens of thousands of landbased video lottery terminals on the territory of the country. In 2013, the European Court of Justice ruled out that OPAP’s monopoly was indeed in violation of the EU laws and demanded Greece to open its market to foreign competitions.

Greek legislators caved in under the pressure of the European Union but the severe economic crisis the debt-ridden country was facing at the time also played a crucial role for the amendments that were to follow.

Greek authorities presented the European Commission with revisions of the country’s betting laws which resulted in a 3-months standstill period. Meanwhile, Greek punters continued to resort to the services of foreign-based betting operators which caused a severe 72% decline in OPAP’s revenue in 2013. The state gave up most of its shares in OPAP, which no longer enjoys tax-free status.

Greece is to Revamp Its Rigid Online Betting Legislation

Greece is to Revamp Its Rigid Online Betting LegislationAs of September 2018, Greek punters and foreign sports betting operators finally have a reason to rejoice. The country’s government has finally rolled out a new regulatory framework that aims at allowing the betting providers that have been operating with temporary permits since 2011 to apply for new, permanent licenses.

The licensing conditions may not appeal to many members of the foreign competition, though. The new framework requires each sports betting operator to contribute with a licensing fee of €4 million. Those looking to offer online casino games as well will have to reach deeper into their pockets and pay an additional starting fee of €1 million.

But it does not end there. A valid license expires five years after issuing and each renewal calls for another €4 million per operator. Additionally, each applicant will have to pay a starting deposit of €0.5 million and prove they have a valid license to offer their online services on other European markets. The government plans a 35% tax on foreign operators’ revenue.

The potential licensees are to provide records about their financial performance during the previous three years before submitting their applications. Those who have been blacklisted are not allowed to even submit their license applications. Meanwhile, Greek sports bettors will have to comply with the above-specified tiered taxation system that applies to their profits.

Greece Sporting Events Coverage and Markets

Sporting Events Coverage and MarketsOnline sports bettors from Greece are facing a fascinating diversity of options in terms of markets. All reputable bookmakers that service customers from the country offer them competitive prices along with a huge range of functionalities like in-play betting with odds updated as the live events progress, a user-friendly interface, different odds formats, tips, and detailed statistics.

These are mostly British-based betting companies that have received temporary licenses, many of which also cater to the Greek sports betting public by providing punters with support in their native language.

Since Greece is the birthplace of the Olympic Games, it makes sense for Greece-friendly sportsbooks to accept punts on various athletic competitions during the Olympics. Additionally, Greece ranks high in terms of soccer participation and viewership, with many punters backing their favorite teams on the online soccer markets.

There is a vast range of options soccer fans from the country can pick from since there is exceptionally broad coverage of events from the UEFA Champions League, the English Championship, the Premier League, and the Europa League. Competitions from various domestic leagues like La Liga, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Primeira Liga, and the Greek Superleague are also among the alternatives for sports bettors, who can choose from a variety of bet types on the live and pre-match markets. These include Over/Under, Match betting, Both Teams to Score, Half Time, and Draw No Bet. Accumulators and Asian handicaps are typically listed among the options.

Greeks are also keen on basketball and are catered to with a huge range of markets, covering the events from the NBA, the Euro League, and the Greek Basket League. Those interested in punting on basketball have a choice from bet types like Match, Total Points, and 2-Way Handicaps, among others.

Volleyball ranks high in terms of popularity among Greek punters who can support their favorite teams with bets on events from all major European international and domestic competitions. There is a huge number of bets volleyball fans can experiment with online, including Match and Set Handicaps, Total Points, and First Set Winner.

Other popular sports readily available at Greek-friendly online sportsbooks include golf, tennis, cricket, cycling, darts, boxing, handball, mixed martial arts, and motor racing. Horse and greyhound race betting is also an option for those interested. All major sportsbooks servicing punters from the country support mobile betting as an alternative, with some even offering dedicated mobile applications for iOS and Android devices.

Popular Odds Format in Greece

Popular Odds FormatDecimal odds, commonly referred to as European odds, are preferred by most Greek punters so it makes sense for Greece-friendly sportsbooks to support them as an available format. The biggest advantage here is that this form of odds expression is rather simple to comprehend. In fact, it takes only seconds for one to calculate their expected return with a wager quoted in the decimal odds format.

All you have to do to figure out your return is multiply the decimal number by the amount you stake. So if we assume you make a punt at odds of 3.40 and stake €20, you can expect a return of €68. It is worth bearing in mind your original stake is actually included in the overall returns, which is to say in this case you can expect net profits of €48.

It is important to make a good distinction between fractional and decimal odds since 3.00 is not nearly the same as 3/1. The conversion of fractional into decimal odds is also quite simple to perform. For the purpose, you must divide the numerator of the fraction by its denominator and then add 1 to the result. To show you what we mean with an example, let’s suppose you are eyeing a bet where the odds are quoted as 5/2. You perform the following calculations [5/2] + 1 and it turns out the decimal odds for this wager are 3.50.

Calculating the implied probability of winning is easy enough with decimal odds, not to mention these calculations are of vital importance for any sports bettor since they give you an idea of your wagers’ potential value and its likelihood of winning.

Let’s imagine you are having a tough time choosing between two wagers, one at odds of 5.30 and the other one at odds of 1.52. To calculate the implied probability of each wager, you need to divide 1 by the decimal odds and then multiply the result by 100 like so [1/5.30]*100 = 18.86% and [1/1.52]*100 = 65.78%.

As you can see, the second wager has a much higher probability of winning but will yield smaller overall returns with a €10 stake, or €15.20. In contrast, you can collect profits of €53 with the first wager but its likelihood of success is much lower at 18.86%. Always remember the higher the odds are, the bigger your returns are but the smaller the likelihood of winning.

Payment Solutions for Sports Bettors from Greece

Payment SolutionsThe rigid online betting regulations in the country make it difficult for sports bettors from Greece to processes payments to unauthorized sportsbooks and they generally face a somewhat limited range of payment options.

Here it is essential to mention there are restrictions on ongoing monetary transactions and Greeks must comply with limits on the amounts they can transfer abroad. Because of this, payments conducted via bank transfers or debit/credit cards sometimes fail to go through but thankfully there are some other options punters from the country can use.

E-wallets like Skrill and Neteller are among the most popular alternatives since they pose as a prompt, easy and super-safe way to transfer funds to one’s betting account. To use them, one must register an account and top it up.

EcoPayz is also an alternative for those looking to conduct fast and hassle-free payments to and from their online betting accounts. Another option is to use the locally available Vivo wallet. The capital controls on offshore payments make it impossible for Greek punters to deposit with Paysafecard (at least at foreign websites that lack domestic licenses) but one solution is to purchase your voucher from a foreign website. Cryptocurrencies like Ripple, Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum are also viable options for Greek punters since they are decentralized and therefore, are not subject to the capital controls in the country.

Bonuses and Rewards for Sports Bettors from Greece

Bonuses and RewardsGreek sports bettors are rewarded for their action with various great promotional incentives. New customers have the chance to redeem welcome bonuses that usually come as first-deposit matches or free bets. These normally are not withdrawable and can be used only for the purpose of free betting but on the good side of things, they come with very reasonable wagering requirements you can easily cover and cash out your welcome bonus’ profits.

The existing customers can take part in a number of promotions available throughout the entire year. Accumulator cashbacks or insurances are a common treat returning bettors can benefit from. In the vast majority of cases, bettors must comply with minimum odds requirements per selection but there are also conditions on the cumulative odds of the accumulator you must meet to qualify for the cashbacks. If one of the accumulator selections is a loser, the sportsbook compensates you either with a free bet or with free credits to punt with.

Other common promotions include best odds guarantees and price boosts. Each promotion has conditions attached to it and you must read those in full detail to prevent the forfeiture of your bonuses and their resulting winnings.

Customer Support at Greece Sports Betting Sites

Customer SupportGood customer support is an inseparable part of one’s enjoyable online betting experience, which is why we, at Sportingpedia, hand-pick only online bookies that value their customers and demonstrate this appreciation by ensuring adequate support services at all times. Some of the best operators in the industry like William Hill and bet365 even service their customers in Greek which is great news for punters who cannot speak English or other languages fluently.

Assistance is commonly available via a 24/7 live chat feature that enables you to contact a support agent in a matter of seconds. The support staff undergoes comprehensive training so you can ask them anything and still get a professional and very competent response within a few seconds. Just make sure you select the proper support department when using the live chat to prevent wasting time and being transferred from one department to another.

Other commonly available ways to receive information or help are via email or over the telephone. Some operators prefer to respond to such queries via free callbacks. Last but not least, all reputable betting sites feature detailed FAQ sections with lots of information on payments, technicalities, and security, so do not forget to check this out – there is a good chance you will find the answers to your questions there.

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