Greek authorities sued over licence inaction

Two egaming operators, believed to be William Hill and Betfair, have launched legal proceedings against both the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) and the Greek Ministry of Finance after their licence applications went unanswered.

The petition argues their applications should have been processed and decided upon by both authorities and could be due compensation having ended operations in the country.

The two companies, which are both members of the Remote Gambling Association (RGA), originally applied to the Greek state for a licence to operate in the country in July 2013, however the HGC responded by declaring itself to not be the competent authority to consider applications.

The Ministry of Finance failed to respond to the request, triggering the legal proceedings and both operators are currently awaiting a court date at the Administrate Court of Appeals.

The Greek Gambling Law, passed in 2011, allows for the licensing of online gambling operators however the RGA considers the provisions within the law have never been properly implemented since its adoption.

The RGA has argued the inaction has not been motivated by a desire to protect consumers but to ensure shares in the state monopoly OPAP were sold at the highest possible price prior to its privatisation earlier this year.

RGA chief executive Clive Hawkswood backed the legal proceedings, stating Greek authorities may have to compensate not just European licensed operators but also OPAP investors who may have been led to believe that OPAP had a monopoly.

“Our members have made it clear that the RGA will use all legal and legitimate efforts at its disposal including legal challenges to the EU and the Greek courts, in order to get a legal, clear, workable and fair resolution,” Hawkswood said.

Speaking to eGaming Review, RGA director of policy and projects Sue Rossiter said political pressure to maximise the price of OPAP may have played its part, but lamented the short termism due to the finance that could be raised through proper market regulation and licensing.

A transitional regime in which temporary licences have been issued remains in force, however temporary licensees have been threatened with suspension, a move Rossiter claimed to be an attempt to close the market entirely.

Rossiter was also surprised Greece was omitted from the European Commission’s recent list of countries receiving infringement proceedings, with Greece labelled as a “cut and dried case” contravening EU law despite it being understood that the country remains in discussions with the European body.

A spokesperson for the HGC was unable to be reached for comment at the time of enquiry.