Hellenic Gaming Commission Considers Major Gambling Regulation Changes

The Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) has been reasonably quiet for a long time. However, in recent months they have begun taking swift, impactful actions to protect and regulate their jurisdiction.

A significant action that flew well under most people's radar was banning the Kick.com streaming platform over gambling content. While many instant slots and live casino gaming streamers moved to Kick to avoid the imminent Twitch ban hammer, they did not expect the entire platform to be blocked by the Greek regulator.

 New Core Player-Facing Mechanisms

August 4th, 2023, saw the EEEP announce that they are preparing to institute three new core mechanisms to their gambling charter to protect players and upskill casino staff.

These safer gambling measures include:

1. The introduction of a national self-exclusion program: This program will allow Greek gamblers to self-exclude from gambling offers and limit their access to casinos permanently and for short periods.
2. A nationwide player card: By linking local players to a single card which tracks their gambling at venues with an EEEP license, it is easier to manage self-exclusion and predict harmful practices.
3. Casino training programs: Staff will be trained to recognise and address changes in player behaviours and guide them to the resources they need to remain safe.

The intent of these new programs is to enhance player safety by educating the gambling community about compulsive gaming, how to recognise it, and what actions to take to protect oneself.

By ensuring that the casino staff are equally trained and knowledgeable, they can intervene in cases where an individual appears to be at risk yet unaware of the precarious nature of their situation.

 Opening the Doors to Greece

With the introduction of these new programs, it would appear that Greece is getting their gambling act and regulatory framework in alignment with the rest of Europe. While this does not guarantee that the country is looking to expand its online casino reach, the following information does suggest it is highly likely.

Alongside the aforementioned player-centric updates, the EEEP also announced that it is in the process of reviewing its stance on live casino streaming studios in licensed Greek casinos.

The proposal is up for review and would see offshore live casino providers like Evolution Gaming, Ezugi, Playtech Live and Pragmatic Play gain permission to set up specialised live dealer casino streaming studios in local gambling venues.

All of the above is open for comment until 15 September 2023, when the regulator will review the community feedback and decide how to proceed. The inclusion of the live dealer studios is the decision we will follow closely, as it could trigger a groundswell of offshore expansion in the market.