Greece defends gambling-win tax after €369m withheld

Pierrakakis says the rise adds public funds for services, as GGR grew 4.2%.

The hit

Greece’s finance minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis is standing by a July tax rise on online casino winnings, according to SBC News. Figures published in October show taxes withheld from gambling winnings were up year on year between January & August 2026. Pierrakakis says the policy funds public services amid rising energy costs.

Why it matters

For Greek players, bigger online casino wins now face steeper deductions at source. The government argues rapid sector growth justifies a bigger state cut. Asked if higher taxes could push customers to unlicensed sites, deputy minister Thanos Petralias cited accompanying legislation against illegal gambling as a defence of the regulated market. He said demand elasticity was already factored into revenue projections.

The record

Tax withheld from gambling winnings, Jan-Aug 2026	€369m, up 27.3% on €290m a year earlier (official figures)
Total gross gaming revenue	€2.06bn, up 4.2% year on year
State participation receipts from operators	€484.5m, up 7.9%
Online casino winnings tax rate, €100-500	raised from 15% to 20% on 1 July 2026
Online casino winnings tax rate, above €500	raised from 20% to 30% on 1 July 2026
Projected extra annual public revenue	about €100m (Pierrakakis)

What happens next

Watch the Hellenic Gaming Commission’s enforcement drive, including a 40-staff recruitment round & fines of up to €2m per infringement against unlicensed operators.

Sources: Greece stands by player tax increase on gambling winnings

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