Since ancient times, the spirit of gambling has been referenced in Greek mythology through the figure of Hermes. Considered the god of luck, chance, and cunning, Hermes presided over that unpredictable domain where ingenuity and risk meet. The ancient Greeks invoked him in situations where fortune was at stake, recognising his connection to dice games and other forms of chance. Just as the god dwelled in the territories of uncertainty and cleverness, today the gambling landscape in Greece combines the allure of luck with the need for clear rules.
The new regulatory paradigm appears to be the base for the recent announcement to strengthen anti-illegal gaming measures and the challenges presented by the internet world. Among the HGC’s initiatives, the revelation of fresh tactics to combat illegal internet gambling is particularly noteworthy. One of these is the launch of a special task force whose purpose is to strengthen coordination with authorised operators and limit the impact of unregulated platforms.
Illegal gambling: the main challenge for the sector
The increase in illegal gambling poses serious challenges, especially for licensed operators and state tax collection. The HGC, Greece’s gaming authority, links the rise of unregulated illicit networks to shifting consumption trends, as more players turn to digital platforms.
This phenomenon exposes how unregulated businesses are abusing the digital landscape, leading to financial losses and undermining trust in the established system. According to the HGC, in order to lessen this effect, the special task force encourages collaboration with operators while staying within the law, preventing financial resources from escaping through illegal means. Additionally, creating public awareness campaigns to draw attention to the dangers of utilising unauthorised portals and promote a preference for lawful solutions is given top emphasis.
Modernisation and a comprehensive approach to the legal system
The HGC’s technique is notable for its all-encompassing approach. The special task force develops actions not only for control but also for prevention, such as documenting and sanctioning illegal advertising on digital networks and portals, including campaigns carried out by influencers. This is carried out using legal and fiscal mechanisms, thus facilitating the traceability of financial flows in illicit activities.
It is worth mentioning the objective of the HGC regarding regulatory reforms, which will allow the modernisation of legislation to keep it aligned with the digital environment and to detect new threats. In order to improve Greece’s capacity to address new issues, a key component of the plan is cooperation with foreign groups, including studying successful models in the UK and other countries.
Additionally, collaboration between corporate compliance organisations and the special task force improves the effectiveness of controls and investigations.The industry strengthens its response by joining international forums and adopting effective techniques from other sectors, ensuring competitiveness and regulatory compliance.
International cooperation, controls, and fiscal protection
The new special task force of the HGC emphasises international cooperation as a central axis of its work, according to the HGC. The exchange of experiences and the adoption of successful practices in technical blockades and controls strengthen the national strategy. Moreover, collaboration between foreign and local regulatory authorities enables the optimisation of sanctioning and fiscal methods targeting illicit sites.
In an environment where the sophistication of illegal operators is increasing, the protection of fiscal collection is critical to the sustainability of the sector. The HGC focuses its efforts on ensuring that state income from gaming and betting stays in regulated channels, protecting the industry’s stability as well as the trust of business owners and the general public.
Sufficient controls, educational initiatives, and a stronger regulatory framework help consolidate a responsible gaming environment. Thus, the HGC’s strategy represents an opportunity to establish solid references in industry governance, thereby increasing the response capacity to the threats posed by illegal gambling.
This article was first published in Spanish on 18 July 2025.
