Canadian culture

The government's plan to resolve all outstanding issues in the gaming market is in full swing.

Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos promised on Friday to bring two bills to Parliament before Christmas, concerning online games of chance and the regulation of the casino market.

His statements came in the context of a meeting of the house's Financial Affairs Committee that discussed the revision of 2011 legislation on video lottery terminals (VLTs).

Greece proposed on Friday that betting company OPAP should operate a total of 25,000 video lottery machines, down from the 35,000 machines the country's current legislation stipulates.

The Finance Ministry said on Friday it had tabled a bill which reduces the number of machines, aiming at a smaller exposure to gambling and a more effective supervision by the authorities.

The Regency Casino Mont Parnes, overlooking Athens on Mount Parnitha, has filed a case with Greece's Council of State against the decision by gaming regulator EEEP dating from October for the operation of 35,000 video lottery terminals (VLTs) that the European Commission warned Athens about on Tuesday.

The European Commission has sent a letter to the government asking it not to implement a new regulation on the operation of video lottery terminals (VLTs), which OPAP has undertaken.

By Vangelis Mandravelis

OPAP gaming company anticipates net revenues between 800 million and 1 billion euros per year from its VideoLottery Terminals (VLTs) when they start operating.