Greece Defends Online Casino Tax as Revenue Rises

The Greek government has defended the controversial tax increase on online casino players. Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis said the high tax rates, in effect since July 1, will fund public services. According to data from the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP), tax deducted from player winnings reached 369.4 million euros in the first eight months of 2026. This figure is 27.3% higher than the same period last year. July and August alone brought in 91.3 million euros, which represents a 73.1% increase on an annual basis.

The picture across the sector is more mixed. State revenue from gambling taxes and fees rose 7.9% to 484.5 million euros from January to August. Gross gaming revenue increased 4.2% to 2.06 billion euros, but there was a slight year-on-year decline in July and August. The fastest growth was in online gambling. Online gross gaming revenue rose 13.1% to 853.6 million euros, while tax collected from online players jumped 38.5% to 273.8 million euros.

Under the new system, the first 100 euros of winnings per session are tax-free. Winnings between 100 and 500 euros are taxed at 20% instead of 15%, and winnings above 500 euros are taxed at 30% instead of 20%. When Pierrakakis announced the measure in March, he projected it would add about 100 million euros a year to public revenue. Deputy Finance Minister Thanos Petralias said they expect around 50 million euros in 2026 and 100 million euros for a full year from 2027 onward. Responding to concerns that the taxes could push players toward illegal sites, Petralias said the official forecasts account for possible changes in player behavior.

The government is also tightening its crackdown on illegal gambling. In October, criminal complaints were filed against 18 influencers over allegations that they promoted illegal gambling services. EEEP has meanwhile launched recruitment for 40 staff to strengthen its inspection team, including seven IT specialists. The new rules expand website blocking powers, and administrative fines can reach up to 2 million euros per violation. Some serious offenses carry prison sentences of at least 10 years. The regulation also covers partners promoting illegal operators, influencers, and digital advertising networks.