After news last month that Europe’s Remote Gambling Association (RGA) wasn’t best pleased when the Greek government unveiled its new gambling law – reports today reveal that online gambling companies have filed a complaint with European Union regulators.
In the complaint, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) – a group which represents Unibet Group Plc and Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment – asked for the Greek government to change to the revenue-raising law because it obstructs betting firms from starting up their services in the country.
In a report by Bloomsberg, the EGBA, as well as the RGA, said they asked the European Commission to “address as a matter of urgency Greek measures that require new operators to be based in the country and handle financial transactions with Greek banks”.
The new law, which requires all online gambling organisations to pay a 30% gross profit tax on gambling products, has put Greek taxation on online gambling much higher than many other countries in the EU. The legislation effectively places the largest gambling association in Greece – OPAP – in an advantageous position in terms of taxation as they are exempt from the 30% gross profit tax. How strange, too, that the Greek government currently owns 34% of OPAP?
In an emailed statement, the groups have articulated their concerns, stating that they may also be required to pay tax on revenue from Greek customers “retroactively” from 2010.
