Can I bet online legally?
Conditional: legal only via licensed operators, minimum age 21. In Greece online betting/casino is allowed only through operators with a licence from the HGC (Hellenic Gaming Commission, ΕΕΕΠ), under Law 4002/2011 (as amended by Law 4635/2019). There are two licence types: A (betting) and B (casino/poker), with ~16–20 licensed operators. The online minimum age is 21 (in land-based OPAP shops it's 18). A registered, identity-verified player account is required, and a self-exclusion register operates. Any unlicensed site is illegal, goes on a blacklist and is blocked. In short: yes, only with a licensed operator and if you're 21+.
📋 The rules
- Legal only with HGC-licensed operators
- Online age limit 21 (land-based OPAP: 18)
- Mandatory registered, verified player account
- Two licence types: A betting, B casino/poker
- Unlicensed sites: blacklist and blocking
🔓 Exceptions
- Land-based OPAP shops: age 18 (not online)
- Self-exclusion register: operators must honour it
- 2026 reform on illegal-gambling ads: draft, not in force
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Sanctions fall mainly on operators: fines (Art. 51 of Law 4002/2011) and criminal sanctions (Art. 52) for running without a licence. The HGC keeps a blacklist and Greek ISPs must block (~11,000 platforms), while related payments are restricted. For the player, the real risk on an unlicensed site isn't so much a fine as blocked winnings and unprotected transactions. Beware a myth: "the online age is 18" — wrong, it's 21; references to old "transitional licences" are outdated. To play safely: choose a licensed operator (check the HGC list), open a registered account, and use the responsible-gambling tools.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Is online betting legal in Greece?
Yes, but only through operators licensed by the HGC. Any other, unlicensed site is illegal, goes on a blacklist and is blocked by Greek ISPs. Before playing, check the list of licensed operators on the HGC website.
What's the age limit?
For online betting and casino the limit is 21. In land-based OPAP shops it's 18. It's a common myth that the online age is 18 — it's actually 21, with mandatory identity verification.
What do I risk on an unlicensed site?
The biggest practical risk isn't a fine but blocked winnings and unprotected transactions. Unlicensed sites are blocked and payments are restricted, and you lack the protection the licensed framework provides.
What is self-exclusion?
It's a register through which a player can ask to be excluded from gambling, and licensed operators must honour it. It's a responsible-gambling tool, alongside deposit and time limits offered by legal operators.
Do I need a registered account?
Yes. Licensed online gambling requires a registered, identity-verified player account. This enables age verification, the application of responsible-gambling limits and compliance with anti-money-laundering rules.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “online betting legal greece”
- “hgc licensed operators”
- “online gambling age 21”
- “blacklist illegal betting”
- “player account verification”
- “gambling self-exclusion”