License Name
Hellenic Gaming Commission Online Betting and Gaming Licence
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Issuing Country/Region
Greece
Regulatory Body
Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC)
Types of Regulated Games
Online sports betting, casino games (including slots and live games), poker, fantasy sports, virtual events
Market Coverage
Local (Greece) and EU/EEA operators
Regulator's Reputation
Very Good
Legal Entity Requirements
Company must be registered in Greece or another EU/EEA country
Minimum Share Capital
€200,000 for operator; 30% of gross profits held in reserve
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
Clean criminal record, suitability checks for key personnel, shareholders, and directors
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Mandatory AML protocols, KYC, ongoing monitoring and reporting of suspicious transactions
Data Protection Requirements
GDPR compliance required, strong data protection and encryption standards
Reporting Requirements
Regular submission of compliance reports and financial statements to HGC
Audit Requirements
Regular third-party and HGC audits mandatory
Software Certification Requirements
Gaming software must be certified by the HGC or an approved testing lab
RNG Certification
RNGs subject to mandatory certification and fair play testing
Payment System Requirements
Only HGC-approved, certified payment service providers permitted
Server Location Requirements
Servers must be located in Greece and connected to the HGC
Domain Name Requirements
No explicit local domain restriction
Language Support Requirements
Greek mandatory across all platforms
Currency Support Requirements
EUR mandatory
Legal Compliance Costs
Legal and compliance fees vary, minimum annual compliance estimated at €15,000–30,000
Background Checks
Criminal background checks for all key personnel and executive shareholders
License Scope Restrictions
Restricted to online gambling activities, land-based gaming requires separate licenses
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Operators pay both GGR tax and corporate income tax
Player Data Storage Requirements
Player data must be stored in Greece, compliant with GDPR
Cross-Border Operations
Permitted for EU/EEA-licensed entities, service limited to Greek-market players
License Application Transparency
Public register of license holders maintained
Regulatory Contact Point
Designated compliance officer required for each licensed entity
Compliance Officer Requirement
Dedicated compliance officer mandatory
Local Partnership Requirements
No partnership required for companies in EU/EEA
Legal Dispute Resolution
Jurisdiction of Greek courts, with alternative dispute resolution allowed
License Transferability
License non-transferable without regulatory approval
Sub-Licensing Rules
Sub-licensing not permitted
License Cost
€3,000,000 for online betting, €2,000,000 for online casino (7-year license), €10,000 non-refundable application fee
Annual Fees
None specified; renewal fee same as initial license fee every 7 years
Income Taxes
24% corporate income tax on gross profits
Player Winnings Taxes
0% for winnings up to €100, 15% for €100–500, 20% for winnings above €500
Financial Guarantees
Substantial player funds must be held in reserve and bank accounts in Greece
Liquidity Requirements
Demonstrated capital sufficiency, including minimum capital requirement and financial documentation
Financial Reporting Requirements
Audited annual accounts and regular reporting to HGC
Application Processing Time
Several months (dependent on completeness and approvals)
Required Documents
Business plan, certificates of non-conviction, evidence of capital, source of funds, technical certifications, server location
Business Plan Requirements
Detailed business plan, operational and compliance strategy
Internal Policy Requirements
AML, KYC, responsible gaming, IT security, privacy
Testing Requirements
Technical and fairness testing of all gaming systems and platforms
Certification Requirements
All software and RNGs certified by recognized labs and HGC
Staff Qualifications
No explicit qualification, but background and financial checks on management
Physical Office Requirements
Registered presence in Greece or EU/EEA sufficient
Local Representative Requirements
Not mandated if company based in EU/EEA
Marketing Restrictions
Advertising to minors and vulnerable groups prohibited; compliance with content restrictions
Responsible Gaming Measures
Self-exclusion tools, deposit limits, reality checks
Self-Exclusion System
Participation in a national self-exclusion register is mandatory
Age Verification Procedures
Mandatory robust verification before account activation
KYC Procedures
Enhanced customer due diligence required
Customer Support Standards
24/7 customer support in Greek
Complaint Handling Procedures
Formal complaint process and reporting to HGC
Player Funds Protection
Segregated player funds, account in Greek/EU financial institution
Payout Timelines
Not explicitly specified, but regulated by player protection policies
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
Must be fair, with clear T&Cs, and not targeted to vulnerable groups
Permitted Games List
All standard casino, poker, slots, sports betting, fantasy, and virtual sports games
Betting Limits
Not explicitly specified
RTP Requirements
Regularly tested and certified for compliance with fairness standards
Jackpot Regulations
Not explicitly specified
Live Game Requirements
Allowed with appropriate licensing and certified technology
Mobile App Compliance
Subject to full regulatory standards as web platforms
Affiliate Program Rules
Affiliates must be approved by HGC and comply with suitability rules
Security Standards
High, typically ISO/IEC 27001 for accredited platforms
Encryption Requirements
SSL/TLS encryption for all player communications and transactions
Backup Requirements
Regular data backup; disaster recovery plans enforced
Monitoring Systems
Continuous monitoring by operator and HGC for compliance
Operation Logging
Logging of all major operations and transactions required
Anti-Fraud Systems
Real-time fraud prevention and detection systems required
API Integration Standards
Secure, must comply with Greek regulatory standards
Hosting Requirements
Servers to be located in Greece, directly connected to HGC system
CDN Usage
Not explicitly required
Scalability Requirements
Not explicitly specified
Uptime Requirements
Not explicitly specified, but high availability expected
Technical Support Availability
24/7 technical support required
License Duration
7 years
Renewal Procedure
Full re-evaluation and fee payment at end of 7-year period
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Hefty fines, license suspension or revocation
Ownership Change Rules
Regulatory notification required for significant changes
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Subject to HGC approval
Subcontractor Regulations
Key suppliers must be certified as suitable by HGC
Branding Requirements
Responsible gaming messaging; use of HGC logo may be regulated
Intellectual Property Protection
IP for software and content must be licensed
Dispute Arbitration
Legal disputes handled by Greek courts, ADR permitted
Insurance Requirements
Not explicitly specified
Charity Contributions
Not mandated
Staff Training Requirements
Regular AML, security, and responsible gaming training recommended
Innovation Support
Not specified
Sustainability Initiatives
Not specified
Accessibility Standards
Not specified
Multilingual Support
Greek required; other languages optional
Cryptocurrency Support
Not specified by regulator
Esports Betting Regulations
Permitted under betting license for virtual sports and esports
Fantasy Sports Regulations
Covered by online betting license if based on real events
Official Address
Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC), 20 Amarousiou-Chalandriou Street & 23 Dionysou Street, Maroussi, 15125 Athens, Greece
Online Application Portal
https://www.gamingcommission.gov.gr/index.php/en/
Work Hours
Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 17:00
Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/gamingcommission.gr
Twitter/X URL
https://twitter.com/HGC_Gov_Gr
Departments
Licensing Directorate, Compliance & Audit Directorate, Player Protection, Legal Affairs
FAQ Question 1
What is the Hellenic Gaming Commission Licence for Sports Betting and Gaming Supervision?
FAQ Answer 1
The Hellenic Gaming Commission Licence for Sports Betting and Gaming Supervision authorizes operators to legally provide sports betting and other regulated gaming services in Greece. It ensures compliance with Greek laws, safeguards fair play, and promotes responsible gambling practices across both land-based and online platforms.
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues the Hellenic Gaming Commission Licence for Sports Betting and Gaming Supervision?
FAQ Answer 2
This licence is issued and supervised by the National Betting Authority (NBA) of Greece, working in cooperation with the Hellenic Gaming Commission under the regulatory framework set by the Greek government.
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining the Hellenic Gaming Commission Licence for Sports Betting and Gaming Supervision?
FAQ Answer 3
Application fees vary depending on the type of licence. Online sports betting licences typically cost €3 million for a 7-year term, while other gaming licences may have different fee structures. Additional expenses include compliance audits, technology certification, and taxes based on gross gaming revenue.
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for the Hellenic Gaming Commission Licence for Sports Betting and Gaming Supervision?
FAQ Answer 4
Key requirements include establishing a legal entity in Greece or the European Economic Area, passing comprehensive background and financial checks, implementing certified gaming systems, providing responsible gambling tools, complying with anti-money laundering regulations, and submitting regular operational and financial reports to the NBA.