Legislation
Greece – OPAP to contest online sports betting ruling
By Phil - 26 September 2019
Greek operator OPAP will appeal the Greek Council of State’s decision to withdraw its online sports betting licence.
The group said: “The decision is in direct contrast to a series of past actions by the Greek State, including among others, the official information provided to all candidate investors participating in the privatisation process of OPAP SA, about the license and the company’s legal right to offer online fixed-odds betting until 2020. Despite the fact that the current contribution of online betting is not material and in any case below one per cent of OPAP Group’s total revenue, OPAP, following this decision, is already in contact with competent bodies including the HGC for all the appropriate actions to be taken. The company is also evaluating how to pursue the protection of its interests by all legal means.”
The decision was made following a legal challenge by Austria-based sports betting entity Goalbet following the licence approval for OPAP’s online sportsbook subsidiary Pame Stoixima.
