OPAP sets 2 June sportsbook launch date
Greek monopoly dismisses potential legal challenge as it prepares to go live with GTECH-powered sportsbook ahead of World Cup
Greek gambling monopoly OPAP has set a target of 2 June to launch its first online sports betting product and has told eGaming Review it will dismiss any challenge over the legality of doing so.
OPAP chief exec Kamil Ziegler informed shareholders at yesterday’s AGM that the operator hoped to be live with an online sportsbook in time for next month’s football World Cup, and speaking to eGR this morning a company spokesperson confirmed its aim to launch on 2 June.
With the football World Cup kicking off on 12 June the date has served as an internal target in order to have operations in place with time to spare.
OPAP selected software supplier GTECH as its online sports betting partner on 4 March and had initially suggested that a launch may have to wait until after the tournament. However Ziegler later confirmed that a phased implementation plan had given it a chance of launching in time for the world’s biggest betting event.
The spokesperson confirmed that the product will initially features football markets only, followed by other sports early next year but only if they are deemed likely to “make a meaningful contribution to its online business”.
While OPAP does not expect this summer’s tournament to provide a major impact on revenues, the spokesperson stated that it could prove to be a huge draw for its audience. “It’s something major and we’d like to be there and be active,” he added.
The operator dismissed a potential legal challenge, with local reports in Greece suggesting some remote gambling operators have prepared to file a complaint with the European Commission over the non-notification of sports betting regulations.
OPAP has in recent weeks submitted various rules of conduct for the sportsbook to the Greek Gambling Commission (GGC) for approval, said to include measures such as the mandatory use of a card used to confirm a player’s identity and a block on deposits through credit cards.
These regulations have yet to be published by the GGC and reports suggest other remote gaming operators will argue that without prior notification “ a three-month standstill period after the distribution of regulations “ OPAP’s online sportsbook launch would violate procedures enforced in European Union directives.
OPAP’s online monopoly has been subject to various legal challenges in the past and the Remote Gambling Association has previously warned the Greek government that its monopoly plans breached EU law.
The RGA declined to comment on the launch of OPAP’s sportsbook, but stated that it was in continual dialogue with the European Commission regarding a lack of action against the Greek authorities.