Greece Launches Tender for Cybersecurity Partner to Strengthen Online Gambling Oversight

The Hellenic Gambling Supervision and Control Commission (EEEP) has opened a tender process to appoint a “specialist legal and technical partner” that will help reinforce player monitoring and security measures across Greece’s regulated online gambling market.

The initiative is part of the Greek government’s wider effort to strengthen supervision of the online gambling industry by improving player identification systems, enhancing anti-money laundering (AML) protections and upgrading cybersecurity procedures.

Through the tender, the EEEP is seeking a partner capable of helping redesign and reinforce the regulatory framework governing the secure identification of players through Electronic Player Accounts (EPAs). The objective is to establish a more advanced technical structure that will improve Know Your Customer (KYC) processes and ensure licensed gambling operators maintain stronger safeguards against fraud, financial crime and participation by underage users.

According to the tender documentation, the regulator is looking for support in “the design and improvement of the framework for the secure identification of gambling players”, alongside “the process of certification and verification of the identity of players participating in games of chance through licensed online gaming providers”.

The appointed contractor will deliver specialised legal assistance through the end of 2026, or until a maximum of 190 consultancy hours has been completed. The contract has a total value of €28,500 (£24,300), excluding VAT.

Throughout the duration of the project, the successful bidder will be required to submit three progress reports outlining recommendations, assessments and proposals aimed at improving Greece’s player verification framework and strengthening regulatory controls.

Greece Expands Measures Against Illegal Gambling Market

The tender represents another step in Greece’s broader campaign to tighten supervision of the regulated online gambling sector and limit the expansion of the country’s black market.

In June, the Greek government submitted draft legislation titled “Regulations for the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) and Improvements to the Gaming Framework” to Parliament.

The proposal represents the most substantial expansion of the regulator’s authority since Greece introduced regulation for the online gambling market.

Under the proposed reforms, the permanent workforce of the EEEP would increase from 80 to 110 employees. New recruitment would focus on specialists in cybersecurity, information technology, intelligence gathering, market monitoring and enforcement, with the aim of improving efforts against illegal gambling networks.

The proposed legislation would also grant the regulator stronger powers, including the ability to demand the immediate removal of illegal gambling websites and online content. In addition, the EEEP would be able to expand its blacklist of unlicensed operators and cooperate more closely with law enforcement agencies through an upgraded Gaming Inspectors Corps with formal investigative authority.

The bill would introduce some of the strictest penalties in Europe for illegal gambling activities. Individuals found to be organising unlawful gambling operations could face prison sentences of at least 10 years, together with financial penalties ranging from €50,000 to €700,000.

More serious offences involving organised criminal groups, minors or repeat violations would result in even tougher punishments, including fines of up to €800,000 and prison sentences exceeding 10 years for criminal offences connected with money laundering, fraud and tax evasion.

The reforms come after repeated warnings from Greek Economic Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis that illegal gambling has developed into both a criminal and economic challenge for the country.

According to government estimates, the illegal gambling market generates between €1.6bn and €2bn each year, resulting in the loss of approximately €600m in annual tax revenue for the Greek state.

By fLEXI tEAM