Key Moments:
- Total GGR climbed 8% to €1.558 billion in the first half of 2026
- Online gambling contributed 88% of the market’s GGR growth during this period
- Greek state revenue from gambling increased 14.4% year on year to €627.3 million
Market Overview
Greece’s regulated gambling sector continued its upward trajectory, as newly released data for the first half of 2026 showed gross gaming revenue (GGR) reaching €1.558 billion. This figure marks an 8% rise compared to €1.442 billion recorded during the same period in 2025.
According to figures presented by the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) on 6 October 2026, state revenue from gambling also experienced notable growth, ascending 14.4% to €627.3 million. This increase outpaced the overall market’s growth, as state revenue had stood at €548.3 million a year earlier.
Online Sector Fuels Growth
A breakdown of the latest data highlights the significant role of online gambling. Online GGR rose 18.7% over the six-month period to €647.2 million, up from €545.1 million in the first half of 2025. In contrast, the land-based segment edged up by just 1.6% to €910.6 million.
Online’s market share advanced to 41.5%, compared to 37.8% in the prior year, while land-based share decreased to 58.5% from 62.2%. Of the approximately €116 million in additional GGR recorded, €102.1 million originated from online play, with land-based gambling providing €13.9 million of the increase. This means online gaming was responsible for 88% of total GGR growth in the first half of 2026.
| Segment | H1 2025 GGR (€ million) | H1 2026 GGR (€ million) | Year-on-Year Growth | Market Share H1 2025 | Market Share H1 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | 545.1 | 647.2 | +18.7% | 37.8% | 41.5% |
| Land-based | 896.9 | 910.6 | +1.6% | 62.2% | 58.5% |
| Total | 1,442.0 | 1,558.0 | +8.0% | 100% | 100% |
Legislative Developments and Regulatory Outlook
The figures were unveiled during a briefing attended by Minister of National Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis, following the passage of new legislation designed to enhance regulatory controls over the gambling sector and fortify the Hellenic Gaming Commission.
Long-Term Projections
A study produced by Deloitte Business Solutions for the HGC has projected that total market GGR could reach €5.25 billion by 2040, with the online sector accounting for about half of this sum. Deloitte’s analysis also anticipates that the market will post average annual growth of 4.6% from 2026 to 2030.
Addressing Illegal Gambling and Use of AI
The HGC estimates the value of illegal betting in Greece at approximately €1.8 billion, with around 10% of the population participating in illicit gambling activities.
Pierrakakis said (translated from Greek) that the effectiveness of the new framework ‘is judged by its implementation and the protection it offers citizens’. He also said criminal complaints have been filed against 18 influencers for promoting illegal gambling on social media, adding that ‘popularity offers no immunity, and influence carries responsibility’.
HGC President Antonis Vartholomaios said (translated from Greek):
‘The foremost precondition for protecting the player is a regulated market, with clear rules for all providers.’
During the briefing, HGC representatives also showcased a new artificial intelligence platform designed to flag, assess, and collect evidence on websites suspected of offering or promoting illegal gambling. The implementation of this AI-powered tool is intended to help automate the regulator’s monitoring activities and support timely interventions.
- Author
