Greece Online Gambling Delivers 88% Of Market Growth In H1 2026

Online gambling generated 88% of the growth in regulated Greek gambling revenue during the first half of 2026. Total gross gaming revenue reached €1.558 billion, up 8%.

Good To Know

• Online GGR increased 18.7% to €647.2 million.
• Revenue to the Greek state rose 14.4% to €627.3 million.
• Authorities filed criminal complaints against 18 influencers over gambling promotion.

Greece Combines Online Growth With Gambling Enforcement

The Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) now uses an AI platform to identify websites that may offer or promote unlicensed gambling. The system collects and analyses evidence to support regulatory action.

At a 6 October briefing, Minister of National Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis said authorities had filed criminal complaints against 18 influencers. He said, translated from Greek, ‘popularity offers no immunity, and influence carries responsibility’.

Meanwhile, land based gambling retained the larger market share, generating €910.6 million in GGR. However, its 1.6% growth added just €13.9 million, compared with €102.1 million from online activity. Online operators increased their share to 41.5%, from 37.8%.

GGR measures gambling revenue after player winnings, before operating costs and taxes. It therefore differs from total stakes or company profit.

Deloitte Business Solutions projects that online gambling could account for roughly half of a €5.25 billion Greek market by 2040. Its study for the HGC forecasts average annual growth of 4.6% between 2026 and 2030.

For now, state revenue is growing faster than regulated gambling revenue. First half receipts increased from €548.3 million to €627.3 million.

The briefing followed legislation to strengthen the commission and regulate the sector. Pierrakakis said the framework ‘is judged by its implementation and the protection it offers citizens’.

HGC President Antonis Vartholomaios said, translated from Greek:

‘The foremost precondition for protecting the player is a regulated market, with clear rules for all providers.’

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