The government is seeking ways to line its coffers. In a frantic search for funds, the Finance Ministry has put Greece’s agriculture sector and gambling under the microscope.

Agriculture

* 9 in 10 farmers (466,574 of a total of 532,917 people) stated earnings less than 5,000 euros last year.

* 1 out of 5 (104,768 people) declared zero revenue or damages.

* The total gross yield from 532,917 farmers last year was 4.873 billion euros, meaning that farmers incomes were 9,145 euros per person on average. From that amount, there was a 13% tax at 1.342 billion and the tax amount gathered was a total of 186.4 million euros for 2014 (ie. 349.81 euros per farmer).

Gambling

The Greek Organisation of Football Prognostics S.A. (OPAP) yielded 2 bln euros from “KINO”, surpassing the money gathered from “Pame Stoihima” (Let’s Bet) that was at 1.5 bln euros. In 2014, there were 4.5 bln columns of KINO entered, whetting the government’s appetite for more funds. It is estimated that a 10% tax (5 cents more per 50-cent column played) could line public funds with an additional 220 mln euros.

Final decisions have yet to be made and the legality of more impositions need to be explored in reference to shareholders.