Online Casino Permits
In Greece, the first permits for online gambling have been awarded to companies within the industry. This was done by the Greek Gaming Authority, Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC), who issued three state concessions to various online gambling providers. Not only Betsson, a Swedish company, received permission, but also the brands "Lucky Stream," known as Bet365, and "B2B Gaming," known as Betshop.
Liberalization of Online Gambling
In many European regions, modern regulations are initiating a comprehensive process of liberalizing online gambling, integrating it into a legal framework. Greece is following suit, adapting its gambling industry to the digital age by issuing state concessions. In total, Greece plans to distribute around 15 licenses to companies in the industry, each of which must meet certain requirements. These permits aren't cheap though, as the price for an online sports betting license is three million euros while licenses for other online gambling games like poker cost two million euros. The HGC will soon announce which other industry players are allowed to operate on the domestic market.
The first three license holders can officially offer their online gaming services from August 1, 2021. Until then, all current activities must cease, as companies are set to enter the market under these new legal conditions.
Euphoria at Betsson
In a press release, Betsson expressed their excitement at being one of the first companies to receive a state license for the Greek gambling market. They thanked the HGC for their trust and stated that they would provide a selection of different online games and sports betting options from August. Betsson received two different licenses – one for casino games and the other for sports betting. This approach enables Betsson to have a broad presence on the Greek market. Both permits are valid for a period of seven years.
This development brought excitement, especially for Pontus Lindwall, President and CEO of Betsson, who said:
"We're incredibly thrilled about these licenses and welcome Greece as our 18th locally regulated market from Betsson. We aim to provide the best customer experience possible. We've partnered with some well-known game and payment providers to expand our offer. The Greek gambling market has grown significantly in recent years, and we see a lot of potential."– Pontus Lindwall, President and CEO of Betsson, Official Press Release from Betsson
To cater to Greek players, Betsson plans to tailor their gaming offering. This has been demonstrated with "Betsson 500k," where players must predict the outcome in twenty different events to win substantial amounts. Additionally, they're developing "Betsson+," which creates personalized bets focused on a chosen footballer. Furthermore, Betsson will have customer service available in Greek.
The online gambling industry in Germany is also entering a new era. The market shows some similarities to that of Greece. The German government, until recently, has been indifferent to the rapid growth of online gambling and held a restrictive stance. It even reached a point where national legislation conflicted with European Union laws. Up until now, there was a legal gray area about playing in online casinos, making it neither legal nor illegal. Yet, a political change has occurred.
From June 1st, the new Gambling State Treaty will become effective, successfully ratified by all 16 federal states, and now eliminating all potential obstacles. This legal framework permits gambling industry players to legally operate in Germany – online as well. However, they need a state-issued license to do so. Without such a permit, providers cannot provide their services in the country.
Both Greece and Germany aim for a regulated gambling market to promote transparency and effectively protect players.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
