Greece Defends Higher Taxes on Online Casino Winnings
Greece.- 4 November 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com The Greek Government has reaffirmed its decision to increase taxes on online casino winnings, following the introduction of new rates on 1 July 2026.
Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis defended the reform, which raised the tax rate to 30% for online casino winnings exceeding €500.
The measure is intended to generate additional public revenue while the Government strengthens its enforcement strategy against unlicensed gambling operators.
New Tax Rates for Online Casino Winnings
The reform introduced higher tax rates on winnings from certain online casino products.
The framework in force since July provides:
- Winnings up to €100: remain tax-exempt.
- Winnings between €100 and €500: the rate increased from 15% to 20%.
- Winnings exceeding €500: the rate rose from 20% to 30%.
The changes primarily affect online slots and poker.
Sports betting and other OPAP products remain subject to separate taxation arrangements.
Tax Revenue from Winnings Increases 27.3%
Figures published in October revealed a significant increase in taxes withheld from gambling winnings.
Between January and August 2026, Greece recorded:
- Tax collected from winnings: €369 million.
- Equivalent period in 2025: €290 million.
- Year-on-year increase: 27.3%.
The figures demonstrate a stronger fiscal contribution from gambling winnings.
However, the data cover the wider gambling market and include months preceding the July reform. Therefore, the increase cannot be attributed entirely to the new tax rates.
Gross Gaming Revenue Reaches €2.06 Billion
The wider gambling market also recorded growth in gross gaming revenue.
During the first eight months of 2026, Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) increased by 4.2% to approximately €2.06 billion.
Meanwhile, state participation receipts from gambling operators rose by 7.9%, reaching €484.5 million.
These figures cover the overall Greek gambling market rather than online casino operations exclusively.
The results reflect continued growth in regulated gambling activity and increased public revenue from the industry.
Government Expects €100 Million in Additional Annual Revenue
Pierrakakis originally announced the tax increase on 23 March 2026, as part of a wider package of economic measures.
The Finance Minister linked the reform to initiatives supporting households and businesses facing higher energy costs.
According to the Government’s projections, the changes will generate approximately €100 million in additional annual revenue.
This figure represents an official forecast rather than an amount already collected.
The administration believes growth in online casino activity should translate into a larger contribution to public finances.
Thanos Petralias Defends the Tax Increase
Deputy Finance Minister Thanos Petralias explained that the rapid expansion of online casino and poker justified a greater contribution to the national budget.
He argued that these activities could provide a permanent source of public revenue.
From the Government’s perspective, the reform aims to direct part of the sector’s growth towards financing public services.
Petralias also addressed concerns about the possibility of higher taxes encouraging customers to use unlicensed gambling platforms.
Authorities Address Black Market Concerns
One of the principal issues surrounding the reform is its potential effect on the competitiveness of licensed operators.
Authorities acknowledge that higher taxation could influence consumer behaviour.
However, Petralias said the Government’s revenue projections considered demand elasticity and data supplied by operators.
The administration believes tax increases must be accompanied by stronger enforcement against illegal gambling.
Protecting licensed operators from unregulated competition is therefore an important component of its fiscal strategy.
Greek Gambling Regulator Seeks 40 Additional Staff
Alongside the tax changes, Greece is strengthening the operational capacity of the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP).
During October, the regulator launched a recruitment process seeking 40 staff on secondment, including seven information technology specialists.
The initiative aims to expand inspection and supervision capabilities within an increasingly digital gambling market.
Additional personnel would support the detection of irregularities and the monitoring of operators.
However, the authorities have not confirmed that these positions will be funded directly through the higher tax on gambling winnings.
Fines of Up to €2 Million for Illegal Gambling
The Government is also pursuing stronger sanctions against unlicensed gambling activities.
The framework published by the Finance Ministry includes:
- Administrative fines of up to €2 million per infringement, depending on the offence.
- Prison sentences of at least ten years for specified illegal gambling offences.
- Stronger investigative powers for regulatory authorities.
- Improved website-blocking mechanisms.
- Specific penalties targeting illegal gambling promotion by influencers, affiliates and digital advertising networks.
These measures are intended to reduce the competitive advantages enjoyed by operators outside the licensing system.
Gambling Generated €1.17 Billion for the State in 2025
According to estimates from the Hellenic Gaming Commission, gambling generated approximately €1.17 billion in public revenue during 2025.
The breakdown was:
- Online gambling: €737 million.
- Land-based gambling: €433 million.
These figures demonstrate the industry’s importance to Greek public finances.
Addressing the regulator on 6 October, Pierrakakis warned that illegal gambling deprives the state of revenue and undermines businesses complying with regulatory requirements.
Industry Impact and Next Steps
Greece is maintaining its strategy of increasing online casino tax revenue while strengthening enforcement against illegal operators.
The challenge for authorities will be assessing how higher tax rates affect consumer behaviour and the competitiveness of licensed platforms.
With taxes of up to 30% on online casino winnings, €369 million collected from gambling winnings between January and August, and stronger enforcement measures targeting illegal operators, Greece is seeking to increase the industry’s fiscal contribution while protecting the regulated market.
Future financial reports will provide clearer evidence of the reform’s effects following its introduction in July.
Edited by: @fonta
