Greece Seeks Cybersecurity Partner for Gambling Market Oversight

The Hellenic Gambling Supervision and Control Commission (EEEP) has launched a tender to appoint a specialist legal and technical partner. This initiative aims to strengthen player monitoring, anti-money laundering (AML) safeguards, and cybersecurity across Greece's online gambling market, forming part of a broader government strategy to enhance sector oversight and combat illegal operations.

Key Takeaways

• EEEP has initiated a tender for a specialist legal and technical partner to enhance player monitoring.
• The partnership targets improved player identification, AML safeguards, and cybersecurity in the online gambling sector.
• A new technical framework will strengthen Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures for licensed operators.

Enhanced Regulatory Framework

The tender specifically seeks assistance with the design and improvement of the framework for the secure identification of gambling players and the certification and verification process for players using Electronic Player Accounts (EPAs). This framework is designed to ensure new licensed operators maintain robust protections against fraud, financial crime, and underage gambling through enhanced KYC procedures. The successful contractor will provide specialist legal support until the end of 2026, or for 190 hours of consultancy work, under a contract valued at €28.5k excluding VAT.

Combating Illicit Operations

This tender represents a stage in Greece's wider effort to tighten oversight of its regulated online gambling market, including potential new eSports sites, and disrupt the black market. In June, the Greek Government submitted the draft “Regulations for the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) and Improvements to the Gaming Framework,” proposing a significant expansion of the regulator’s powers. This legislation would increase the EEEP’s permanent workforce from 80 to 110 employees, with new recruitment focused on cybersecurity, information technology, intelligence gathering, market surveillance, and enforcement to combat illegal gambling networks. The EEEP would gain powers to order the immediate removal of illegal gambling websites and expand Greece’s blacklist of unlicensed operators.

Strengthening Market Integrity

The proposed bill also introduces stringent sanctions against illegal gambling, including prison sentences and substantial fines for individuals organizing such operations. Aggravated offenses could lead to fines up to €800,000 and prison sentences exceeding 10 years for criminal violations related to money laundering, fraud, and tax evasion. These measures follow warnings from Greek Economic Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis regarding the criminal and economic threat posed by illegal gambling, which is estimated to generate between €1.6bn and €2bn annually and deprive the Greek state of approximately €600m in tax revenues each year.

Sources: Greece opens tender for cybersecurity partner of gambling market