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Focus GREECE MARKET REPORT legally operated games.


• Secure and collect revenue for the state where the illegal turnover is estimated at more than €4bn annually.


• To adapt national legislation to Community Law as the country currently pays a penalty of €31,536 per day.


Meanwhile the new bill includes the following. It does not interfere with the existing casino legislation or any agreements with OPAP and ODIE.


• Greece will effectively auction between 15 and 50 licenses following an international tender for online gambling companies effective for five years with the exception of any licenses given to OPAP.


• It will also legalise low stake gambling machines (VLTs) permitting between four to 10 large scale companies to operate VLTs with up to 25,000 licenses to be handed out for the machines each lasting 10 years. Again this is aside any licenses given to OPAP.


• Regarding VLT licenses, each market participant will be able to acquire only one license. If some licenses remain unsold during the tender process the rest of the terminals can be evenly distributed to those who have already received licenses.


• The committee may also grant between 1,000 and 5,000 ‘limited’ licences all with a 10 year term.


Commission on 5 April 2011 and opted to invoke this "emergency procedure" alleging problems of public order. If approved by the European Commission, the bill would have bypassed the usual three-month standstill period and could have then been immediately transposed into national law. Instead, the proposed legislation is now under scrutiny of the European Commission and other Member States that have until 6 July 2011 to submit their comments.


Moreover, the proposal seems to also be facing difficulties and further delays at national level as a number of Members of the Parliament, including some of the ruling party (PASOK), have voiced their opposition to the text, which was now returned to Greek policymakers for revision.


If approved by the EC, the bill would


have bypassed the usual three-month standstill period and could have then been


immediately


transposed into national law. Instead, the proposed


legislation is now under scrutiny of the European


Commission and other Member States that have until 6 July 2011 to submit comments.


OSHPE, the Greek Federation of Electronic Games of Greece, is not happy with the bill either and is calling for the free operation of games without restrictions and the creation of a new category of AWP games.


The initial suggestion of six per cent tax on turnover has also been altered to a 30 per cent tax on gross profits plus a 10 per tax on player gains. However this is still higher than some jurisdictions and the Remote Gambling Association is lobbying to have this lowered to come into line with other countries with licensed online gambling.


The objective of the proposed legislative action is, as the government states:


• To protect the public interest, especially young people, integrate and monitor


• The permits would be part of an international bid conducted by the Ministry of Finance and large scale corporations must have a capital of €500,000 with a registered office in Greece. A €300,000 bond deposit is also required.


• VLTs can be operated in various locations with a maximum of 30 machines. These include so-called ‘Pure Rooms’ (gaming arcades) or ‘Mixed Spaces’ which are shops with a minimum of 80 sq.m, where the commercial activity is entertainment (except nightclubs or bars). The maximum of games here may not exceed three.


• The minimum amount for play would be €0,10 and the maximum €5 although these figures may be adjusted by the Committee.


• Players must also have an individual world-class brands that entertain Your Michael Jackson − ©2012 Triumph International, Inc. under license from Bravado Merchandising. All rights reserved.


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