When reading that gaming has been prohibited in Greece, one would think that sports betting, lotto and lotteries are no longer allowed, but this is far from the truth.
The new Hellenic law, No. 3037, was passed July 30, 2002. It forbids video "fun gaming," such as electrical games depending on electrical devices; electromechanical games depending on electrical devices and the use of one's muscle force; electronic games depending on both electrical-electronic devices and software (VLTs); and computer games placed in public places, such as hotels, cafeterias, arcade halls, and in any other public or private area.
The ban on using computers does not affect Internet cafes, that is, as long as the computers are not used for any gaming activities. However, playing games on mobile phones, VLTs and portable and online consoles, (such as Game Boys, PlayStation 2 and Microsoft's Xbox) is completely prohibited in Greece.
The regulator, the Ministry of Finance, may penalize violators with at least three months of jail time plus a fine of at least EU5,000. For repeat offenses, the penalty is at least one year of jail and a fine between EU25,000 and EU75,000. The court can also command the confiscation of the equipment.
Two Internet cafe owners are already going to trial for infringement of the law. A massive protest will be organized tomorrow to support the two and to demonstrate against the new law.
The Ministry of Finance has stated that the blanket ban was put forward by the Economy and Finance Ministry "after it admitted it was incapable to distinguish innocuous video games from illegal gambling machines."
Illegal betting in Greece is the second national pastime, after football. And the illegal betting is mainly on the football results.
The other Greece "gaming," such as sports betting, scratch-card lotteries and traditional lotteries are state monopolies and are providing huge incomes to the Ministry of Finance.
Casinos, regulated by the Ministry of Tourism, are promoted as a tourist venues. Above that, new casino initiatives can get attractive incentives from the government.