The Greek gaming market is highly lucrative yet highly restricted, a combination which has seen the jurisdiction become the arena for high profile disputes between the state monopoly and various online operators.

The European Commission’s decision to escalate formal infringement investigations into the restrictive gambling markets of Holland and Greece has been welcomed by private gambling operators in the continent. But the next step in the infringement process at the European Court of Justice could still be over two years away and Greek monopoly operator OPAP, for one, is showing no intention of backing down to EU pressure.

Europe’s biggest betting firm, OPAP, faces tough trading conditions and a drop in income and profitability if new Greek tax changes come into force, despite a favourable new deal that binds its agents to the company, according to analysts.

William Hill threatens ECJ action if the Greek government rejects its application for a licence to open betting shops in Greece.

The two reporting judges of the Greek Council of State have recommended that the Greek betting monopoly be referred to the European Court of Justice. In cases presented by betting operators Stanleybet International, William Hill and Betshop, the reporting judges examined the legitimacy of the OPAP monopoly, but put forward further questions for the ECJ to consider.

Responding to pressure from EU Internal Markets Tzar Charlie McCreevy, the Greek operator OPAP has announced internal changes regulating its relationship with its network of agents, and has made a number of proposals aimed at limiting its infringement of key tenets of EU law.

A soaring national budget deficit and the prospect of increased taxes will make a quick return to good times unlikely for Greek sports betting monopoly OPAP, says research published by analysts Morgan Stanley yesterday.

The ECJ's decision in Placanica has quite rightly generated a lot of comment in this publication and in the press more generally. As the dust settles three views have emerged as to the potential impact of the judgement.

GamblingCompliance spoke exclusively to Stanleybet International’s managing director John Whittaker about the legal difficulties the Liverpool-based bookmaker is continuing to experience in Italy, as well as the company’s plans for expanding into further European markets.

Following a meeting in Athens in the middle of May between European Commission internal markets tzar Charlie McCreevy and Greek economic minister George Alogoskoufis, it was announced this week that a new watchdog will be set up to oversee gambling.