If there is anyone definitely winning amid the rise in gambling activity, it is the state. The revenue that flows into its coffers every year from royalties and taxes on player winnings has been hovering at around €1 billion in recent years.
Last year was the first that this threshold was exceeded, reaching €1.04 billion, and all this for an industry that, in essence, does not produce anything. Of this amount, €644.8 million came from royalties paid by providers and €398 million from taxes on player winnings.
Tax rates differ for amounts won from online sports betting and casino games, while winnings from the land-based casino network remain tax-free. So it was no coincidence the government recently decided to increase the tax on players’ winnings from online casino games, effective from July, in order to secure an additional €50 million for this year and €100 million per year after that. This category has been experiencing explosive growth in recent times, as it attracts a wider audience than sports betting, which usually requires watching matches.
On the other hand, those who lose in the end are always the players themselves. They often see their bets disappear within a few minutes, while the serious issue of addiction, which can have long-term consequences for their lives, should not be overlooked.
According to official data the Hellenic Gaming Commission recently released, total bets for 2025 on games of chance amounted to €16.7 billion, up from €15.6 billion in 2024, recording an increase of 6.7%. Net income before contributions amounted to €3.07 billion, up from €2.87 billion, or 7% on an annual basis, from 2024. Of that amount, the lion’s share was taken by OPAP – now absorbed by Allwyn – with €1.5 billion, as well as online companies with €1.2 billion, rising 5% and 20% respectively.
Revenue for land-based casinos also moved upward, reaching €268.6 million last year, from €252.8 million in 2024, growing 6%. Of the nine businesses operating with a legal license, in reality about three or four have a regular activity.