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Self-Exclusion Guide – Part B

Questions and Answers (Q&A)

1. What Is the Relevant Legislation Governing Exclusion for Each Gambling Category?

The primary legislation governing the terms of exclusion and temporary self-exclusion for each category of gambling activity is as follows:

Game Category


Legislative Provision

Online Gambling

Ministerial Decision No. 79314 EX 2020 (Government Gazette B’ 3263) of the Minister of Finance, entitled “Gaming Regulation on the Conduct of Gambling Activities through Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) Machines”.

OPAP PLAY / VLTs

Υπ’ αριθμ. 79314 ΕΞ 2020 (ΦΕΚ Β΄3263) απόφαση του Υπουργού Οικονομικών, με τίτλο «Κανονισμός Παιγνίων περί Διεξαγωγής Τυχερών Παιγνίων μέσω Παιγνιομηχανημάτων τύπου Video Lottery Terminal (VLT)»

Land-Based Casinos

Ministerial Decision No. 303/5/27.02.2018 (Government Gazette B’ 1025) Entitled: “Amendment and Codification of Ministerial Decision No. T/6736/2003 (Government Gazette B’ 929) of the Minister of Development, entitled ‘Regulation on the Administrative Control and Supervision of Casino Operations’.”

If you wish to be placed under an Exclusion regime (either indefinite self-exclusion or temporary self-exclusion) or a Temporary Time-Out, you may submit a request to the relevant License Holder using one of the following methods:

  • For Land-Based Casinos
    Submit your request directly to the casino from which you wish to be excluded.
  • For OPAP PLAY Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs)
    Submit your request at a certified OPAP PLAY outlet or follow the procedures described on the official website of the relevant License Holder.
  • For Online Gambling Activities
    Follow the procedures set out on the official website of the relevant License Holder.

💡Please note: Exclusion or time-out measures apply only to the specific License Holder to whom the request is submitted.

At present, there is no automatic universal exclusion across all operators, as the Unified Register of Excluded Players (UREP) is still under development.

If you wish to request Universal Indefinite Self-Exclusion from licensed gambling operators (online gambling, OPAP PLAY/VLTs, and land-based casinos), you have two options:

α) Individual Application to Each Operator: You may submit a separate exclusion request to each License Holder (online platform or land-based casino) where you maintain an account.

β) Application to the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC): The HGC may undertake the administration of your request and communicate it to all licensed operators. Procedure is as following:

  1. Send an email to: info@hgc.gov.gr.
  2. Include the following documents:
    • A clear copy of both sides of your identity card or your passport.
    • A solemn declaration authenticated through gov.gr
  3. The declaration must explicitly state:
    • That you wish to be subject to indefinite self-exclusion, specifying the gambling category or categories concerned, namely::
      • Online Gambling Activities (Player Account)
      • OPAP PLAY/VLTs (Player Card)
      • Land-Based Casinos
    • That you consent to the disclosure of your personal data for the purposes of processing your request.

Please note: The option of self-exclusion is not available for gambling activities where the player’s identity is not verified (e.g. certain OPAP gambling products).

An indefinite self-exclusion is never lifted automatically.

  • For Online Gambling Activities and OPAP PLAY–VLTs
    The Player Account or Individual Player Card may only be reactivated at the player’s request, provided that at least one (1) year has elapsed from the date of exclusion.
  • For Land-Based Casinos
    The exclusion remains in force for a mandatory period of six (6) months from the date the declaration is submitted and may only be lifted following a request by the excluded individua
  • For Land-Based Casinos
    Exclusion is implemented through the restriction of the player’s physical access to the casino and the inclusion of their name in the casino’s Internal Exclusion List.
  • Online/VLTs: The operator is required to immediately deactivate the Player Account (PA) or the Individual Player Card (IPC). The contractual relationship is terminated and the account is placed in “Closed” status.

Applies universally to all operators (including Land-Based Casinos):

Licensed operators are expressly prohibited from sending any form of commercial communication or advertising to an excluded player once they become aware of the exclusion. This prohibition includes:
direct marketing communications (e.g. email, SMS, etc.);
promotional offers;
advertising and promotional materials.

Yes, but only in relation to land-based casino gaming.

  • An exclusion request may be submitted by any first-degree relative (parent or child) or by the player’s spouse.
  • Please note that, for each individual, first-degree relatives and spouses may submit exclusion requests no more than two times in total.

No.
The option of temporary self-exclusion (which applies for a minimum period of one month) is not available for gambling activities conducted in land-based casino establishments.

Η φυσική παρουσία απαιτείται, εάν επιλέξετε τον Μεμονωμένο Αποκλεισμό σε ένα συγκεκριμένο ή περισσότερα καζίνο. Ωστόσο, για τον Καθολικό Αποκλεισμό Αόριστης Διάρκειας από όλα τα επίγεια καζίνο, μπορείτε να υποβάλετε την αίτηση ηλεκτρονικά στην Επιτροπή Εποπτείας και Ελέγχου Παιγνίων (ΕΕΕΠ) στη διεύθυνση info@hgc.gov.gr, επισυνάπτοντας τα εξής:

  • A clear copy of your identity card or passport.
  • A solemn declaration authenticated through gov.gr, providing your consent to the disclosure of your personal data and expressing your wish to be excluded from all land-based casinos.

No, this is not currently possible.

The option of exclusion applies only to gambling activities where player identification is required (e.g. a Player Account for online gambling, an Individual Player Card for OPAP PLAY/VLTs, or admission to a land-based casino).

For gambling activities conducted in a physical manner (such as the purchase of lottery tickets, Joker, KINO, or PROPO tickets at OPAP agencies), player identity verification is not carried out. Therefore, there is no technical or legal mechanism to prevent an individual from participating.

Exclusion may also be requested by the player’s court-appointed guardian or legal representative. The procedure and requirements for the appointment of a Court-Appointed Guardian are governed by the Greek Civil Code (Articles 1666 et seq.) and relate to matters of Family Law. They do not fall within the regulatory competence of the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC).

No. The exclusion applies only to licensed operators.

  • Η νομοθεσία και οι διαδικασίες της Ε.Ε.Ε.Π. εφαρμόζονται αποκλειστικά στους παρόχους που περιλαμβάνονται στην «White List» (τη λίστα των νόμιμων εταιρειών).
  • There is no mechanism through which your exclusion can be applied to illegal or unlicensed gambling websites or operators This is one of the most significant risks associated with illegal gambling, as player protection measures, including self-exclusion, do not apply

To access the White List of licensed gambling operators , CLICK HERE.

The exclusion applies only to licensed operators The Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC)  maintains and regularly updates the list of licensed gambling operators («White List»), which is available on its website. To view the «White List» of licensed operators, CLICK HERE.

Tip: Before registering with any online gambling operator, consult the White List of licensed operators. Participation in gambling activities offered by unlicensed operators is unlawful