Greece defends higher tax on online casino winnings

Greece’s government has defended its move to raise taxes on online casino winnings. The extra revenue is meant to finance public services and relief for households under cost-of-living pressure.

Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis has kept backing the measure, although parts of the gambling industry have criticised it. When he first announced the change in March, he said: “This intervention will increase public revenue by about €100m a year.”

Data published in October put the tax withheld from gambling winnings at €369m for January to August 2026. The prior-year figure for that withholding was €290m. Total gambling GGR grew 4.2% to €2.06bn over that span. State participation receipts grew 7.9%, reaching €484.5m.

Ministers dismissed fears that heavier taxation might push players toward unlicensed gambling sites. Thanos Petralias, the deputy finance minister, said the policy's design had already accounted for that danger. According to him, officials examined data from operators and allowed for likely shifts in how players behave before proceeding. He maintained that the fast-growing online casino and poker segment ought to add more to public finances.

Petralias added that tax rises are not the government's only tool. He described tougher action on illegal gambling as a key part of the plan, saying firmer enforcement would keep players in the regulated market.

The deputy minister clarified that the changes cover online casino-style products such as slots and poker. Sports betting and other OPAP products fall under different rules.