Live casino, KYC and beyond: What's behind Greece gambling's regulatory renaissance?

The Greek Gaming Commission (EEEP) is preparing a series of measures to modernise the country’s gambling framework. The initiatives include the potential authorisation of live casino studios, enhanced KYC requirements and efforts to strengthen public awareness of the regulator. Furthermore, EEEP is also advancing organisational reforms and strategic planning measures as it adapts to the continued digitalisation of the sector.

By addressing a broad range of issues, EEEP has positioned itself as one of the most proactive regulators in Europe. Global Gaming Insider examines each of these developments in greater detail below.

Could live casino studios open a new chapter for Greece’s iGaming market?

Earlier this month, EEEP announced that it is preparing a proposal to allow live casino studios to operate within Greece. The issue has been under discussion for several years, with licensed online casino operators currently offering live casino products through studios based abroad, primarily in Malta, Romania and Latvia.

Dedicated live casino facilities typically operate as broadcast studios or casino-based environments featuring tables, professional dealers and cameras that stream games to players through licensed online platforms. According to the regulator, such facilities could attract significant investment, create jobs and strengthen the competitiveness of Greece’s iGaming sector.

Will higher taxes slow the momentum of Greece’s online casino market?

The Greek online gambling market continues to expand, with EEEP reporting 19% year-on-year growth for Q1 2026. The sector has also recorded strong growth in the previous years, including a 23% increase in 2024 and an 11.7% rise in online GGR in 2025 to €1.19bn ($1.36bn).

The potential introduction of live casino studios could create new opportunities for operators and suppliers by enabling local facilities and reducing reliance on overseas studios. However, higher taxes on online casino player winnings, which came into effect at the beginning of the month, are placing additional pressure on operators. Many of them absorb part of the cost to maintain their customer base.

Combined with Greece’s 35% GGR tax on online casinos and betting, the increased costs could contribute to market consolidation and possibly lessen its overall attractiveness. Nevertheless, a well-designed live casino framework could attract investment and allow facilities to serve both the Greek market and wider regional audiences.

Enhanced KYC framework planned to improve compliance

EEEP is also moving to strengthen player identification requirements through an enhanced Know Your Customer (KYC) framework. The regulator launched a tender for specialised legal services to support the review and development of player-verification procedures for licensed online gambling operators.

The initiative aims to improve the security and reliability of Electronic Player Account (EPA) registration and identity verification, while supporting fraud prevention, AML compliance and player protection. EEEP said continued market growth is one of the reasons behind the need for enhanced KYC procedures, which must also remain aligned with wider European standards on AML, transaction monitoring and data protection.

The regulator’s challenge will now be ensuring that enhanced requirements support a secure and sustainable market while remaining practical for licensed operators.

Can greater public engagement strengthen the regulator’s role?

One of the more unusual developments at EEEP is its move to strengthen public awareness and visibility of the regulator. The authority has signed contracts for a nationwide television campaign and a survey assessing public awareness, trust and perceptions of its role, an approach not commonly seen among European gambling regulators.

The 12-month campaign will run across major Greek broadcasters and regional channels, aiming to improve understanding of EEEP’s work. The contract covers distribution, airtime monitoring and reporting, but does not disclose the content of the messages.

The developments come as the Ministry of Finance prepares reforms that would expand the regulator’s enforcement powers and introduce tougher penalties for illegal operators and unauthorised promotional activity.

By investing in public outreach, EEEP is seeking to strengthen its connection with players, improve understanding of its regulatory responsibilities and move towards a more visible and accessible regulatory model.

How is EEEP preparing for the future of gambling regulation?

Alongside these developments, EEEP has also approved a new agreement covering strategic, operational and organisational support services for the 2026–2030 period.

The regulator awarded a 30-month support contract to Priority Quality Consultants, aimed at improving governance, internal processes, market monitoring and long-term strategic planning. The agreement forms part of EEEP’s 2026–2030 strategic plan, which focuses on developing a more efficient operating model through greater use of technology and enhanced market-monitoring tools.

The new strategic support agreement reflects EEEP’s efforts to strengthen its internal capabilities and modernise its operations.

Is EEEP the most proactive regulator in Europe?

EEEP’s wide-ranging reform agenda highlights a proactive approach to adapting Greece’s gambling framework to the needs of a changing market.

By focusing on areas including live casino regulation, player protection, public engagement and operational modernisation, the regulator is working to update its oversight approach as the sector develops. The challenge will be maintaining this momentum while ensuring that new measures support a competitive, sustainable and well-regulated market.