Discover Greece: A Hub for Poker and Gambling Events

Greece has become one of the top poker destinations in Europe. It is known for its clear and strict gambling rules, as well as its strong tradition of live poker tournament festivals. Gambling is carefully regulated. The Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) makes sure that both online and land-based gaming follow high standards. This includes protecting players and making sure the industry operates in a fair and financially responsible way.

Greece: The "Type B" Regulatory Framework

• Legislative Structure: Gambling is fully legal for licensed operators under Law 4002/2011, which was further refined by the 2019 amendments. Online operators must hold a specific Type B license (valued at €2 million for a 7-year term) to legally offer poker and other RNG-based games of chance.

• The 21+ Barrier: Unlike many European neighbors, Greece maintains a strict minimum age of 21 years for all gambling activities, including entry to land-based casinos and registration on online platforms.

• Fiscal Transparency: Every licensed game is monitored through a Central Monitoring and Control System, which verifies player identity and tracks transactions to prevent illegal activity and ensure tax compliance.

2026 Major Poker Festivals

Greece's 2026 calendar is packed with international series and high-guaranteed events hosted at luxury resorts:

Regency Casino Thessaloniki: Often regarded as the country's most active tournament hub, it kicked off the year with the Novibet Poker Championship #2 in mid-January 2026. The venue is scheduled to host the Novibet Warm Up Series and other major festivals throughout the spring.

Club Hotel Casino Loutraki: Home to the famous "Poker Arena," this venue is a staple for the Greek Poker Masters series. It offers a dedicated space with 12 tables and a professional staff that attracts both local enthusiasts and international players.

Regional Circuits: Other notable locations include the Porto Carras Casino in Sithonia and Casino Rio in Patras, which host their own independent brands like the Grand Midas Jackpot and regional poker series.

2026 Key Dates & Events

Novibet Poker Championship #2 (Jan 12 – 18, 2026): A multi-event festival in Thessaloniki featuring a €600 Main Event and Mystery Bounty championships.
Novibet Warm Up Series (April 22 – 26, 2026): A high-profile "Road to GPO" series at Regency Casino Thessaloniki.

Online Poker in Greece

Online Poker Legislation in Greece

In Greece, online poker is fully legal but strictly limited to licensed international and local brands.

• Licensed Domains: Players are legally required to use sites holding an HGC license, typically found on local domains like PokerStars.gr or Novibet.gr. The regulator has blocked over 11,000 unlicensed offshore sites as of 2026 to protect the regulated market.

• Taxation on Winnings: Online poker winnings are subject to a progressive tax per session: 0% up to €100, 15% from €100.01 to €500, and 20% for winnings over €500.

• Safe Payments: Regulated sites offer secure deposit and withdrawal methods, including major credit/debit cards and digital wallets.

Live Poker in Greece

Live Poker Legislation in Greece

Live poker is a crime if organized outside of licensed land-based casinos, making legal venues the only safe option for players.

• The Poker Arena: Venues like Casino Loutraki were pioneers in introducing Texas Hold'em to the Greek market. Trained dealers ensure fair play under HGC guidelines, with cash games typically running daily starting in the late afternoon.

• Progressive Tax Tiers: Just like online play, tournament winnings are taxed independently when paid out. For example, net winnings of €700 would see the first €100 tax-free, with the remaining balance taxed at 15% and 20% tiers respectively.

• Top Professionals: Georgios Sotiropoulos remains the king of the Greece All Time Money List with over $8.5 million in career earnings as of early 2026. Other top-ranked players include Alexandros Theologis and Georgios Vrakas.