Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Strict AML procedures including customer verification and transaction monitoring as per Law 4557/2018 and EU Directives
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Data Protection Requirements
Compliance with GDPR and Greek privacy regulations
Reporting Requirements
Regular compliance and financial reports; immediate reporting of suspicious transactions
Audit Requirements
Mandatory periodic audits by the HGC and third parties
Software Certification Requirements
All gaming software and technical means must be certified by HGC or approved labs
RNG Certification
RNGs must be certified and undergo regular fairness testing
Payment System Requirements
Only certified and HGC-approved payment providers may be used
Server Location Requirements
Gaming servers must be physically located in Greece and directly connected to HGC systems
Domain Name Requirements
Gaming websites must use the .gr TLD
Language Support Requirements
Full Greek language support required on all player-facing services
Currency Support Requirements
EUR required for player accounts
Legal Compliance Costs
Application fee €10,000, plus legal and compliance services
Background Checks
Criminal and financial background checks for key executives, shareholders, partners
License Scope Restrictions
Sub-licensing, transfer, or assignment of license rights are prohibited
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
35% GGR tax, corporate tax (currently 20%); player winnings also taxed
Player Data Storage Requirements
Data retained for minimum 10 years, accessible to HGC systems
Cross-Border Operations
Allowed within EU/EEA if entity requirements met, but services must be targeted to Greece
License Application Transparency
Highly detailed with documented transparency and scrutiny from HGC
Regulatory Contact Point
Designated liaison required with the HGC
Compliance Officer Requirement
Designated compliance officer and AML officer required
Local Partnership Requirements
Not mandatory, but permanent establishment or branch required if outside Greece
Legal Dispute Resolution
Greek courts have jurisdiction; HGC participates in mediation and hearings
License Transferability
Non-transferable; it cannot be assigned, disposed of, or sub-licensed
Sub-Licensing Rules
Not permitted
License Cost
€3 million (Type 1: online betting), €2 million (Type 2: online casino/games), land-based licenses vary
Annual Fees
Approx. €17,500 for B2C licenses; renewal fee same as original license every 7 years
Income Taxes
35% tax on gross gaming revenue; 20% corporate tax
Player Winnings Taxes
Taxed at tiered rates (0% for winnings up to €100, 15% for €100–€500, 20% above €500)
Financial Guarantees
Bank guarantees/funds to cover player balances and prizes; details per license type
Liquidity Requirements
Proven financial stability and ongoing liquidity to cover operations and player funds
Financial Reporting Requirements
Regular, structured financial reports to HGC as stipulated
Application Processing Time
Few months (usually up to 6 months) for complete applications
Required Documents
Certificate of incorporation, criminal records, business plan, financial statements, server details, technical specs, software certificates
Business Plan Requirements
Detailed plan covering marketing, technology, player protection, financial projections
Internal Policy Requirements
Documented AML, KYC, responsible gaming, data protection and fraud prevention policies
Testing Requirements
Thorough platform and software testing; RNG and all games must be HGC-certified
Certification Requirements
HGC or approved labs must certify all gaming systems
Staff Qualifications
Suitability and experience checks on key personnel and managers
Physical Office Requirements
Registered office or branch in Greece or EEA required
Local Representative Requirements
Required if the applicant is established outside Greece
Marketing Restrictions
Advertising must not target minors or excluded persons; responsible gaming messaging mandatory
Responsible Gaming Measures
Tools for player self-exclusion, deposit and betting limits, reality checks
Self-Exclusion System
Central HGC self-exclusion register must be integrated
Age Verification Procedures
Robust procedures/technology; verification before accepting deposits
KYC Procedures
Full identity verification before account activation; ongoing checks for suspicious activity
Customer Support Standards
24/7 support in Greek; mandatory complaint and dispute channels
Complaint Handling Procedures
Mandatory procedure for player complaints with option to escalate to HGC
Player Funds Protection
Player funds must be segregated from company assets; additional guarantees under development
Payout Timelines
Payments within 3 business days of verified account closure or upon player winnings
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
Clear terms, fair play, explicit disclosure, and compliance with commercial practice rules
Permitted Games List
All HGC-certified online casino, slots, poker, and sports betting; only games authorized by HGC
Betting Limits
Limits imposed especially for certain games (slots: €2 max bet, €70,000 max win per gaming session)
RTP Requirements
Minimum RTP for slots and table games as per HGC technical regulations
Jackpot Regulations
Must be certified and pre-approved by HGC according to technical rules
Live Game Requirements
Permitted with specific technical certification and HGC approval
Mobile App Compliance
Subject to all platform regulations; same rules as web operations
Affiliate Program Rules
Affiliates must be licensed and comply with HGC guidelines
Security Standards
Advanced cybersecurity and encrypted systems; compliance with GDPR and minimum technical standards
Encryption Requirements
SSL/TLS mandatory for all communications
Backup Requirements
Mandatory regular backups; retention rules apply
Monitoring Systems
Central control and information systems linked to HGC
Operation Logging
All operations logged and accessible to HGC; minimum 10-year retention
Anti-Fraud Systems
Real-time fraud detection/protection systems mandatory
API Integration Standards
Secure APIs required; subject to HGC integration and certification
Hosting Requirements
Servers must be in Greece and directly connected to HGC
CDN Usage
Not mandatory but can be used if compliant with Greek/EU security rules
Scalability Requirements
Adequate for expected user load, as per technical documentation
Uptime Requirements
Uninterrupted availability; HGC may set minimum service availability standards
Technical Support Availability
24/7 technical support for critical issues required
License Duration
7 years (for online licenses)
Renewal Procedure
Apply before expiry, subject to same fees and requirements as original license
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Fines, license suspension or revocation, player compensation
Ownership Change Rules
Notification and approval by HGC required for significant ownership changes
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Regulatory approval needed; full disclosure to HGC mandatory
Subcontractor Regulations
Only HGC-approved subcontractors/service providers may be used
Branding Requirements
Use of HGC logo is permitted under specific guidelines; advertising must include license details
Intellectual Property Protection
All software/content must be licensed and IP rights respected
Dispute Arbitration
HGC mediation and/or Greek courts
Insurance Requirements
Operators may be required to maintain insurance for player protection
Charity Contributions
Not mandatory under licensing rules
Staff Training Requirements
Mandatory training on AML, responsible gaming, compliance protocols
Innovation Support
No confirmed regulatory sandbox; regulation subject to future improvements
Sustainability Initiatives
Not mandated
Accessibility Standards
Must comply with general accessibility requirements
Multilingual Support
Greek mandatory; additional languages allowed
Cryptocurrency Support
Not permitted for player accounts
Esports Betting Regulations
Permitted under sports betting license
Fantasy Sports Regulations
Permitted as betting/skill games if certified by HGC
Official Address
Hellenic Gaming Commission, Leoforos Kifisias 39, 151 23 Marousi, Athens, Greece
Postal Address
Hellenic Gaming Commission, Leoforos Kifisias 39, 151 23 Marousi, Athens, Greece
Work Hours
Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00 (EET)
Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/hgc.gov.gr
Twitter/X URL
https://twitter.com/hgc_gov_gr
YouTube URL
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBuRoHeTrWIz1nYzJUjV8JQ
Departments
Licensing, Compliance and Audit, Legal Services, Responsible Gaming, Supervision and Monitoring, Technical Standards
FAQ Question 1
What is the Licence for Greek Gaming Operators?
FAQ Answer 1
The Licence issued by the Hellenic Gaming Commission authorizes operators to legally provide land-based and online gambling services in Greece, including casino games, sports betting, and lotteries. It ensures compliance with Greek laws and European Union regulations on fair, transparent, and responsible gaming.
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues the Licence for Greek Gaming Operators?
FAQ Answer 2
This licence is issued by the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC), the regulatory authority overseeing all gambling activities within Greece, operating under the Ministry of Finance.
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining Licence for Greek Gaming Operators?
FAQ Answer 3
Application fees vary by license type but generally start from €10,000 to €50,000. Annual fees and taxes are imposed based on gross gaming revenue, with additional costs for compliance, technical audits, and licensing renewals. Specific fees depend on whether the license is for land-based or online operations.
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for Licence for Greek Gaming Operators?
FAQ Answer 4
Key requirements include having a registered company in Greece or the European Economic Area, passing detailed background and financial checks, providing operational and technical plans, ensuring software certification and security, complying with anti-money laundering and responsible gambling standards, and submitting regular financial and operational reports to the HGC.