The Greek police launched a campaign at the start of the year aimed at shutting down establishments operating as illegal casinos in Athens and around the capital, with seizures of video lottery terminals (VLTs) and computers running electronic betting programs accounting for a turnover near equal to that of VLTs and roulette tables at the casinos of Parnitha (Mont Parnes) and Loutraki.
According to market experts, as daily Kathimerini reported, the amount of “unregistered” money generated by illegal casinos is believed to be as high as 150 million euros per year, while the loss of potential revenues for the state is almost twice as high when taking into account staff salaries, revenue tax, social security contributions and all other taxes and levies, such as VAT or contributions toward the Greek National Tourism Organization, which are paid by legitimate casinos.
According to figures released recently by the police, in the first six months of the year officers confiscated 81 roulette wheels and 1,280 electronic betting stations from illegal casinos around Attica.
To put this number into perspective, the casinos of Loutraki and Parnitha together have around 70 roulette wheels and 1,500 VLTs.
According to the data, raids across Greece in the January-May period led to the closure of 363 illegal casinos, the seizure of 4,014 VLTs and 1,889 arrests. In 2012, over 1,000 establishments running games of chance were closed down, some 11,000 machines were confiscated and around 5,000 people – owners and patrons – were arrested.
(source: ANSA)
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