Fines of up to €50,000 for advertising illegal gambling, prison sentences of up to 10 years for operating illegal games of chance, and financial penalties that in aggravated cases may reach €800,000 are included in the draft law presented to the Cabinet by the Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis.

The new framework clearly separates administrative from criminal sanctions and provides for uniform treatment whether the offense is committed online or in a physical venue, while strengthening the state’s enforcement tools.

Administrative Sanctions and Fines

For the promotion and advertising of unlicensed gambling providers, administrative fines ranging from €5,000 to €50,000 are предусмотрed, depending on the severity and frequency of the violation. The penalties apply regardless of the medium used, whether online advertising or other forms of promotion.

In cases where illegal gambling is conducted in physical venues, the bill provides for the sealing of establishments and the revocation of operating licenses, while the overall supervisory framework of the market is also strengthened.

Criminal Sanctions – Escalation of Penalties

The bill tightens Article 52 of the current framework, clearly distinguishing between non-gambling and gambling games, with uniform treatment regardless of the method by which the offense is committed.

For conducting illegal games of chance, prison sentences of up to 10 years and substantial financial penalties are предусмотрed. In aggravated cases—such as professional-scale operations or the involvement of minors—fines may reach as high as €800,000.

The involvement of minors or committing the offense professionally are considered aggravating circumstances leading to harsher criminal treatment.

Strengthening the Powers of the Hellenic Gaming Commission

The Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) is granted enhanced powers. The bill explicitly provides for the immediate interruption of access (take-down) to illegal content, the ability to request user and account identification data, and the automated blocking of websites included on the “black list.”

Investigative and enforcement powers of inspectors are also reinforced for the examination of related cases. According to the data cited, approximately 799,000 citizens participated in unlicensed gambling environments, while the turnover of illegal gambling is estimated at €1.67 billion, resulting in significant revenue losses for the State.

Other Provisions in the Bill

Beyond gambling regulations, the draft law also includes significant pension and tax measures.

Among other changes, provisions are amended for the recalculation of pensions for members of the armed forces and equivalent categories not covered by e-EFKA, in order to resolve pending issues and clarify the calculation and adjustment framework.

Regulations are also included for special categories of public servants to address issues that have arisen during the implementation of existing legislation.

A 30% reduction in the minimum net income threshold for professional street market vendors is introduced from the 2025 tax year, providing tax relief to a sector characterized by strong seasonality and low profit margins.

At the same time, a new system for refunding the Special Consumption Tax on agricultural diesel will be introduced directly at the pump as of November 1, 2026, through a digital application of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), ensuring that support is granted automatically and without subsequent offset or refund procedures.