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Greece’s Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, is preparing a draft law aimed at tightening controls on illegal gambling across both online platforms and land-based venues, according to SBC News. The minister has told parliament he expects to publish a decree in the first half of 2026, positioning the package as a comprehensive framework against the black market.

The proposed crackdown introduces tougher criminal penalties for organisers and also extends liability to consumers who repeatedly gamble with unlicensed operators, an approach Pierrakakis framed as targeting repeat participation. The bill is being developed alongside Greece’s gambling regulator (EEEP), with enforcement measures designed to make shutdowns faster and harder to circumvent.

Operators Face Up to 10 Years in Prison

At the centre of the draft is a sharp escalation for unlicensed gambling organisers, who could face prison terms of up to 10 years and financial penalties ranging from €50,000 to €100,000. Reporting notes that sanctions may be higher where aggravating factors apply, such as repeat offences, professional-scale activity, involvement of minors, or reopening venues after being sealed.

In parallel, coverage of the proposal indicates a baseline tightening for illegal operations more broadly suggesting minimum custodial penalties for running games without authorisation, with the harshest terms reserved for gambling activity specifically. The intent is to move from disruption to deterrence, especially for organised networks operating across multiple fronts.

Player Liability and Faster Shutdowns

A notable shift is the introduction of penalties for players who repeatedly participate in illegal gambling. While SBC News highlights the policy direction (punishing repeat participation), additional reporting suggests individuals caught playing with unlicensed operators could face prison time and fines, with stricter outcomes for repeat offenders.

Enforcement tools would also expand on the ground: authorities would be able to immediately seal premises linked to illegal gambling (such as internet cafés and private clubs), while municipalities could gain faster powers to revoke licences connected to unlawful play. The plan also strengthens EEEP’s investigative authority, building on its existing blacklist of illegal gambling websites.

Source: https://sbcnews.co.uk/igaming/2026/02/04/greece-gambling-2026/