Casinos in Greece

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Introduction

People have always been drawn to Greece seeking the sun and water, to learn some of the history of civilization, and for many other reasons. But Greece is also home to a gambling industry, including the land casinos we’ll be taking a look at here. Casinos have been established in cities like Athens, Halkidiki, Loutraki, Patra, Thessaloniki, and Xanthi, and on the islands of Corfu, Rhodes, and Syros, although not all of them remain today. However, there is a major integrated casino resort in the works - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Athens.

The casinos of Greece offer a lot more than gaming, many are integrated entertainment venues that feature dining, live entertainment, and lux accommodations. The Grecian gambling industry is an important part of the country’s economy and the government is continuing to integrate its tourism plans into and around the industry, while it maintains tight control of the sector through strict regulation and enforcement. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at Greek gambling history, the country’s regulatory framework, important casinos, and what’s on the horizon for one of Europe’s most interesting gaming destinations.

History of Gambling

Greece’s relationship with gambling dates back to ancient times as can be seen through dice, knucklebones, and other gambling tools that archaeologists have unearthed. While prehistoric gambling can be intimated through excavations, grave goods, and various multigenerational lore, not many jurisdictions can claim gambling history that goes back as far as it does in Greece. Mythology indicates that the division of the world came about thanks to a game of dice played by Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. Gambling has ancient roots in Greece, but its development into an organized industry didn’t begin until the 20th century.

Club Hotel Casino Loutraki opened in 1928 making it the first legal casino in modern Greece. Organized gambling eventually became more structured over the decades especially as the government recognized the casinos’ potential as tourist attractions and their ability to deliver money to state coffers.

Greece had several casinos open by the end of the 20th century with all of them offering a mix of traditional games and modern slots. Competition from illegal gambling wherein the government could not collect revenues, and problems in the existing regulations caused the government to implement changes to the legislation in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Legislation and Jurisdiction

Greece’s gambling industry functions under strict government control with the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) managing licenses and enforcing compliance. The regulatory framework makes sure that fairness and responsible gaming are maintained while still generating as much revenue for the state as possible.

The Gambling Act of 2011 set forth guidelines that were clear for land-based and online gambling. This law went to great lengths to stem illegal gaming and ensure tax compliance. Casinos in Greece all hold valid licenses that are subject to inspection of operations and periodic renewal. Visitors and residents have the same minimum gambling age of 21.

The country does the same balancing as every other legitimate gambling jurisdiction and walks the line between the protection of gambling customers and maintaining or increasing revenues. Greece was the 10th member state to join the European Union in 1981 and as a member, it requires the casinos there to follow certain standards. Casinos in Greece are required to provide responsible gambling tools including but not limited to self-exclusion.

New developments like the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Athens, which is scheduled to open in late 2026 or early 2027 are made possible by recent changes in the law which have streamlined the licensing processes. The massive Hard Rock project is sure to redefine Greece’s casino industry.

Popular Spots and Games

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens

The most important addition to Greece’s casino industry in history, aside from the very first legal casino, is the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens. The $1 billion project broke ground recently and will end up delivering a world-class entertainment experience. It will be located in the Hellinikon area and the casino will have over 200 gaming tables, 2,000 slot machines, and a hotel with 1,000 top-tier rooms. Other amenities will be high-end restaurants, intimate and full-scale live music venues, and plenty of retail space.

The Hellinikon redevelopment project has not been an easy thing to pull off and it took nearly a decade for the first shovel to break ground. In 2014, Lamda Development signed a contract with the Greek state to acquire the Hellinikon site. In June 2021, Athens officially approved the project, followed by Lamda Development coming up with a master plan for the site in November of that year.

In 2022, Hard Rock International announced its plans to construct and operate an integrated resort and casino at Hellinikon in partnership with GEK TERNA Group. Later in April, the Ellinikon Experience Center was opened to showcase the redevelopment's progress.

Groundbreaking for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens happened in March 2023, and an official ceremony was held in March 2024. By June 2024, Lamda Development had completed the first phase of Ellinikon Park. Phase I is expected to be finished by 2025, while the grand opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens is anticipated in 2026 or 2027. The entire Hellinikon redevelopment project, which took years to align itself with success, is expected to be completed in 2027, creating a sustainable urban hub for the area unlike anything ever seen in the country before.

Club Hotel Casino Loutraki

Club Hotel Casino Loutraki is located on the coast in the Gulf of Corinthone. It’s one of Greece’s oldest and most famous casinos. Look for games like poker, blackjack, and roulette, along with hundreds of slot machines. Visitors enjoy the resort’s spa, fine dining options, and beachfront views. The property recently unveiled a new gaming room dubbed, “Emerald” with 58 brand-new slot machines, 4 roulette tables, and 2 blackjack tables.

Regency Casino Thessaloniki

Regency Casino Thessaloniki is located near Macedonia Airport and offers one of the most comprehensive gaming experiences in the country. Look for more than 700 slot machines, 32 roulette tables, and multiple poker options. Many visit simply for the nightlife, live concerts, and top-flight dining.

Casino Corfu

You’ll need to hop on over to the Ionian Islands to find Casino Corfu. It has an intimate gaming atmosphere rather than an expansive gaming floor full of slots and tables. Look for American roulette, blackjack, stud poker, and about 100 slot machines. The gaming rooms are open daily from early afternoon to late night. It’s mostly a tourist-centric casino on the waterfront. Aegean Airways and Olympic Airways are the most common ways to get there but there are also charter flights from many European cities for those who prefer to travel there that way.

Conclusion

Greece’s land-based casino industry is not static and deteriorating. The venues offer a unique experience in a land of deep history and culture. Long-established casinos like Club Hotel Casino Loutraki and Regency Casino Thessaloniki offer great high-energy gambling experiences, while smaller places like Casino Corfu let you kick back and enjoy at your own pace.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens adds a new chapter to the gambling story in Greece.