The significant increase in the number of casinos in Greece has been observed over the last decade. The Greek casinos are trying their best, like other segments of the tourism industry in Greece, to attract players all year round and not only during the popular summer vacation. As part of this effort, the Greek casinos are following the model of Las Vegas. They tend to form a part of the large hotels/resorts, offering luxurious conditions of accommodation, recreation, sporting attractions and show performances.
The marketing of casinos mainly intends to attract foreign tourists, although card games are extremely popular in the Greek culture and there are thousands of gambling houses across the country that are not considered to be casinos but allow playing cards.
Ancient Greece
Gambling in Greece has a long history that dates back to ancient times. The ancient Greeks were true gamblers and believed in the divine origin of the games. For example, the Greek mythology had legend according to which Zeus and his brothers Poseidon and Hades threw the dice after the victory over the Titans to decide who would get one or the other part of the world. Zeus won Olympus, Poseidon got the ocean and Hades was selected to rule the underworld. This grading is not so important. The most interesting is the fact that the power over the world was drawn using the dice.
There is also an interesting legend that explains the origin of gambling and casinos. Once upon a time Tyche, a goddess of fortune, was walking in shady groves of Olympus, Zeus (a young playboy and dandy) seduced her. These relationships led to the birth of a girl, who enjoyed only inventing different games whose outcome depended only on luck. She happily gazed at the quarrels that arose between the players and persuaded frustrated losers to commit suicide. Indulging her cruel daughter, Tyche gave her houses with eternal lamps near their thresholds.
Apart from the mythology, real historical figures mentioned gambling. For example, in the poem Odyssey attributed to Homer, it was told how Palamedes offered to play the dice in order to entertain Greek soldiers who got bored while waiting at the siege of Troy. A Greek historian Plutarch mentioned the Persian queen called Parisatis, who was fond of the dice.
The dice were brought to Greece from Asia and were popular among all social classes. There were special establishments designed for gambling that served as ancestors of modern casinos. However the bulk of Greek legislators had negative attitude towards gambling, considering this kind of entertainment to be a challenge to public morals that undermined the foundations of statehood. The punishment for addictive gamblers, regardless of their social position, was slavery.
Legal Regulation
Modern Greece has created conditions for tourism associated with gambling and regulates the gambling market through the competent authorities. The attitude of Greece to gambling is very strict. The government policy intends to prevent people from ludomania. According to the Greek legislation, it is allowed to gamble only in casinos. All types of betting and gambling outside casinos are strictly prohibited. The criminal liability is provided for violation of local laws.
The first casino in Greece appeared in 1928 in the region of Loutraki. Nowadays nine legal casinos are available in the country. The activities of casinos in Greece are regulated by the Hellenic Gaming Commission established on December 20, 2011. The range of its activities was determined In October 2013: licensing, supervision and control of land-based casinos in the country. The Hellenic Gaming Commission includes eight members and a chairman who is elected for five years. The first licenses were issued in 1994. Three casinos (Casino Mont Parnes, Casino Corfu and Casino Rodos) obtained them. There is no monopoly in Greece: all casinos are owned by a few operators. The biggest of them is Regency Casino, which includes Casino Mont Parnes and Regency Casino Thessaloniki.
The Greek government adopted a controversial Law 3037/2002 in 2002 which banned electronic games in all public places. This law was repealed only in August 2011. The new law established the principles of responsible gambling and provided the so-called individual Player Cards, which are necessary to gamble legally in Greece. To be able to play at casinos, the Greeks should reach the age of 21 years.
Where, When and What to Play in Greek Casinos?
Nine licensed casinos are currently available in Greece. They are located on the mainland and the Greek islands of Rhodes, Syros and Corfu. Most casinos are open from Monday to Sunday 24 hours per day. They offer all the popular games, such as roulette, blackjack, video poker, punto banco, baccarat and slot machines. They also hold poker tournaments. The dress code in most Greek casinos is smart casual, but do not try to get inside in swimwear.
1. Club Hotel Casino Loutraki
Casino Loutraki is the first casino in Greece. It is located in the resort complex of the same name in Agioi Theodoroi. This is one of the largest casinos in Europe, which can also boast spas and conference halls. In addition, players can play enjoy the attractions of this area, such as the Corinth Canal, the Ethnographic Museum of Corinth and the Temple of Apollo.2. Regency Casino Thessaloniki
This is the most popular casino in Greece. It is located in Thessaloniki that is the northern capital of Greece and has been operating since 1996. It is situated near the airport of Macedonia within a 20-minute drive from the main places of interest of the city. The casino building is admired due to its rich decoration. The casino offers 893 slot machines and 66 tables for board games. There is also a private room for the high rollers of Club Regency, which has 18 slot machines and 14 tables for board games.
3. Casino Rodos
Casino Rodos is famous for its unique ancient architecture and interior design. It fully conveys the atmosphere of the old city center and is located on the territory of the luxurious Grande Albergo delle Rose Boutique Hotel. It has everything to entertain players: slot machines, numerous poker tables, roulette and other games. There is a dress code in this casino: smart casual till 7.00 p.m. and only evening dresses, suits or tuxedos after 7.00 p.m.
4. Kerkira Casino
The one of the first casinos in Greece is operating in Corfu, the capital of the island of Kerkira. It was the first casino in Greece that returned to roulette in 1962. Now it is located in the Corfu Holiday Palace Hotel. Till the late eighties of the 20th century it was located in the palace of Empress Elizabeth of Austria, the legendary princess Sisi. The restaurant is open from 8.00 p.m. to 03.00 a.m. for visitors over 23 years of age.
5. Hotel Casino Xanthi
This casino is located in the forest area of Lefkos Pyrgos in the north-western part of Xanthi.
The architecture of two-storey building (2,200 m2) corresponds to the grandeur of towering trees that surround it, creating a unique space that fascinates visitors from the first moment. The Greeks have a joke that it is the only casino that operates for the state, since all other establishments are either private or privatized. Users can play American roulette, blackjack, stud poker and slot machines in this casino.
6. Casino Porto Carras
The first private casino in Greece called Porto Carras is located in the Porto Carras Sithonia Hotel, which is a real gem of Halkidiki. It has 425 slot machines, 17 roulette tables, 13 blackjack tables and 5 poker tables. In addition, there is a VIP room for high rollers, which contains 3 blackjack tables, 5 roulette tables and 1 poker table. The interior design was carefully elaborated in an authentic New Orleans style. A snack bar with drinks is available.
7. Porto Rio Hotel & Casino
This casino operates in the famous hotel that is located within a 10-minute drive from the center of Patra. The complex is situated on a beautiful beach of Rio in the lush green gardens on an area of 35,000 square meters in front of the Venetian castle. Rio Casino offers traditional board games, such as blackjack and roulette, 279 slot machines. The poker fans are provided with Texas hold'em poker tables. Visitors can play slot machines at any time of the day or night, since this casino is open 24 hours per day.
8. Casino Syros
Cazino Syros is located in the town of Ermoupoli. This is a relatively new casino. It started its operations in April 1997. However it occupies the former Europe Hotel built in 1830. The building was restored with all its historical and Cycladic elements, and now it is a real pearl. Casino Syros has 26 tables for the most popular games: roulette, blackjack and stud poker, as well as 185 slot machines.
9. Regency Casino Mont Parnes
Regency Mont Parnes Casino Resort is located in the town of Mont Parnes at a distance of only 17 kilometers from the center of Athens. This casino and hotel complex is situated in one of the most exclusive and idyllic places of the Attica region. It has more than forty-year history. In fact, it was the first casino opened in Greece. This complex had been purchased by Regency Entertainment SA, which made a number of improvements and renovations and expanded the total area to 18,000 m2. Nowadays it is a casino of the highest international standards. There are 16 blackjack tables, 32 roulette tables, 2 punto banco tables, 2 poker tables and over 700 slot machines. The customer of the casino and hotel complex can also relax and enjoy the services of Club Olympus. In addition, there are indoor and outdoor pools of 1,200 square meters, as well as a pool for children.
Internet Gambling
Despite the fact that the Greek legislation does not prohibit gambling operators to obtain licenses for online casinos operating in Greece, the monopoly in the field of online gambling belongs to OPAP. However gamblers from Greece can use offers of various foreign operators who adapt their sites for Greek users. There are 118 online casinos that offer games in English or Greek and allow betting in euros or US dollars.
The Greek government adopted a law in 2002 that banned all forms of electronic games. However this law became more moderate regulated by the law of 2011, which allowed licensing of online gambling games by operators. In fact, the Greek state gambling company called OPAP has a monopoly on the provision of online games until 2030. However according to the resolution of the European Court ruled, the monopoly granted to OPAP is incompatible with the EU legislation. Thus, the law in Greece should be changed in accordance with the requirements of the European Union and Greece will be forced to open its market for other companies.
Interesting Facts
Rich history of Casino Rodos
Casino Rodos is a very popular and impressive casino of Greece. Before the foundation of this casino, the hotel flourished in this building opened on May 24, 1927. Several prominent personalities from all over the world, including Winston Churchill, Aristotle Onassis and George Papandreou, lived there. The hotel saw numerous historic events, such as signing the treaty that gave birth to the state of Israel in 1948.
Casino Loutraki is recognized to be the most environmentally friendly establishment.
Club Hotel Casino Loutraki was awarded Green Key in 2103 from the Foundation for Environmental Education for its active participation in environmental protection. Casino was rewarded for the development of a plan that provided the continuous improvement of the environment in the establishment. The measures are intended for reducing water consumption, efficient use of waste products, distribution of information about the environmental protection among employees and visitors.
