Greece pursues a significant initiative, targeting casinos and websites, marked by a notable campaign
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The Greek government has launched a comprehensive operation aimed at combating illegal gambling activities, known as "Operation Cleanup". The initiative involves key institutions such as the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Greece, and law enforcement agencies, working together to eliminate unlicensed gambling activities that are siphoning funds from the Greek budget.
The Bank of Greece has been granted expanded powers to track financial flows linked to illegal gambling. This includes monitoring player transactions, identifying suspicious transfers, and collaborating with banks and payment systems to cut off funding for illegal platforms. The Bank of Greece is also working closely with banks and payment systems to ensure that they comply with anti-money laundering regulations and do not inadvertently facilitate illegal gambling activities.
Operation Cleanup targets offline casinos, land-based betting shops, and digital platforms operating outside the law. Special attention is being paid to landlords providing premises or technical infrastructure for illegal operators. The government's determination to put an end to the loss of billions in revenue, given Greece's ongoing economic struggles, is evident in the scale and scope of the operation.
Half of the 410,000 bettors represent lost tax revenue, crucial for funding healthcare, education, and infrastructure projects. The scale of illegal gambling in Greece is staggering, with more than 800,000 Greeks using unlicensed platforms in 2021, nearly 10% of the population.
In addition to the financial implications, illegal gambling poses risks to individuals and society. Gaming addiction, particularly among youth and socially vulnerable groups, is an increasingly prominent issue that public organizations and state institutions must address. The government is cooperating with authorities and organizations focused on new laws and digital monitoring systems, including AI surveillance, to control illegal online betting platforms as part of a broader effort to combat illegal gambling.
Special attention is being paid to identifying and punishing organizers of illegal businesses. The war on underground gambling is aimed at unlicensed activities of underground casinos and online betting platforms, and the government is sending a clear message that such activities will not be tolerated.
As the operation progresses, it is expected that the Greek government will continue to take bold steps to combat illegal gambling and protect its citizens from the financial and social harms associated with these activities.
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