The Greek government hopes to hit its own 700-million-euro jackpot through legislation legalizing online gaming and slot machines. Proceeds from gambling are estimated at 15 billion euros, of which roughly a third is from illegal betting and games. The government expects to earn 500 million euros from the same of up to ten licenses to operate some 30,000 low-stake gaming machines around Greece and up to fifty licenses for gambling websites plus some 200 million euros more in annual operating fees. Greece has been under intense pressure to end the monopoly of the state-controlled Opap–Europe’s largest betting firm–including a 32,000-euro-per day (11.5 million euros per year) fine from the European Union. But 77 per cent Greeks disagree with the move, claiming slot machines and online gambling will have a negative effect on family incomes, are addictive, and increase crime.

860 euros spent per capita by Greeks on games of chance
200 euros spent per capita in EU (average) on games of chance
250 estimated number of illegal gambling websites
2 billion euros value of bets placed on illegal gambling websites
100,000 illegal gambling terminals in Greece.
176,701 est. Greeks gambling at casinos each month
88,350 est. Greeks betting on the track each month
706,802 est. Greeks playing state football polls each month
971,853 est. Greeks playing ‘Pame Stoihima” each month
1,855,355 est. Greeks playing lottery games each month
1,060,203 est. Greeks buying lottery tickets each month
265,051 est. Greeks gambling at private clubs each month
88,350 est. Greeks placing friendly bets each month
42 per cent Greeks spending money on games of chance
93.86 euros spent on average per capita on games of chance
20 per cent Greeks experiencing family problems due to gambling
12 per cent Greeks experiencing work problems due to gambling
16 per cent Greeks with borrowing debts

Sources: To Vima; Ta Nea; Capital.gr; Reuters; VPRC July 2010 survey on gambling