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Greece to Meet with EC; Are Online Poker, Gambling Markets to Open?

by PokerPages.com
Sat, May 17th, 2008 @ 12:00am

Reports in Greek media about a meeting scheduled for next week between European Commission (EC) enforcement chief Charlie McCreevy and Greek economic minister George Alogoskoufis has online poker players and Internet gamblers wondering if Greece might soon open its doors to other EU-based online gaming operators.

The reports speculated that the discussions are being held to prevent European Court of Justice (ECJ) charges being brought against the Greeks concerning state gambling monopoly OPAP's status. Greek gaming company OPAP is an effective monopoly in its home market. It also competes with other operators in Cyprus.

Sports betting, gambling and/or online gambling are state-owned monopolies in many EU countries, generating large amounts of revenue for governments. To protect that revenue, governments have created roadblocks to thwart attempts by private-sector rivals to enter or grab a share of the lucrative business.

The EC, an executive arm of the European Union, has been targeting member nations whose national gaming regulations are contrary to higher level EU laws that permit companies licensed anywhere in the EU to freely move goods and services across EU state borders (Article 49 of the EC Treaty). France has indicated positive changes after talks it held with the EU in Brussels and Paris. Several other countries are reconsidering their positions in light of the alternative of having their cases being brought to the ECJ.

McCreevy has repeatedly said that he intends to use his legal powers to stop unjustified restrictions on the free movement of services within the EU bloc.

Recently, OPAP President Chatziemmanouil said that he has not ruled out the possibility that changes in OPAP's monopoly status could take place in the future. Government sources also dropped hints of changes to come, saying that changes to Greek gaming legislation to bring it closer in line with EU standards are possible, but warned that it would not open an "unregulated market".

Read Related Articles:

  • EC to Target Holland and Greece For Gambling Restrictions
  • EC Gives France & Greece More Time to Reply to Official EU Gambling Queries
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