Greece Targets Illegal Gambling With 10 Year Jail Terms
Greece’s Ministry of National Economy and Finance is preparing a new bill to crack down on illegal gambling by imposing much tougher penalties on both operators and participants. The draft legislation targets a black market estimated at over €1.5 billion, and includes business closures, heavy fines, and prison sentences of up to 10 years for running unlicensed gambling activities. Under the proposal, anyone organising games without the proper licence could face at least three years in prison and fines, while gambling-specific offences could carry up to a 10-year jail term and fines up to €100,000. The bill also allows municipalities to close illegal venues and revokes licences, tightens licensing for internet cafes often linked to illicit gambling, and proposes penalties for players and anyone obstructing inspections. The government says the plan is designed to attack illegal gambling “at its root” and protect minors and vulnerable groups, with the Hellenic Gaming Commission overseeing enforcement.
