In Greece, the operation and sale of lottery tickets is conducted exclusively by the Hellenic Organisation of Football Prognostics (OPAP) and its designated Hellenic Lotteries concessionaire under Law 4002/2011, as authorized by the Hellenic Gaming Commission (1). The concession grants a 12-year exclusive right to operate state lotteries in Greece, ensuring all tickets are sold through licensed retail outlets and official online platforms within the country (1).
Under Greek legislation, lottery participation is restricted to natural persons meeting the minimum age requirement and holding a valid player account issued by a licensed operator. Tickets may only be purchased in physical OPAP agencies, authorized kiosks, or on websites with a .gr domain, as stipulated by the Hellenic Gaming Commission’s regulations. Any offer or sale by unlicensed operators is strictly prohibited and punishable by administrative or criminal sanctions (1).
"Licence holders are prohibited from allowing natural persons under 21 years old and non-registered players to participate in the games of chance offered via their websites. Before the creation of a player's account for participation in any online game of chance, the player must agree to the terms of the game contract." (1)
For in-person purchases at retail outlets, individuals must be at least 18 years old and present a valid identification. Online purchases similarly enforce the higher threshold of 21 years, aligning with the HGC’s responsible gaming framework. These measures aim to protect minors and vulnerable individuals from excessive gambling (1).
Purchasing lottery tickets from unauthorized sources, such as international online sites without a Greek licence, is illegal in Greece and can result in confiscation of tickets and fines under Article 52(3) of Law 4002/2011. Additionally, prizes claimed on invalid tickets will be forfeited, while operators face suspension or revocation of their licence for non-compliance (2).
Source:
https://iclg.com/practice-areas/gambling-laws-and-regulations/greece
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OPAP
Last updated: 20-05-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
