GREEK AFFILIATE PROSECUTED

30 March 2007

Piraeus webmaster arrested by Athens police

Operating an affiliate website in Greece could be a dangerous business, according to reports from the Greek online newspaper eKathimerini.

The publication reports on the arrest of an unnamed 37 year old Piraeus man charged with linking Greek and other visitors with five different British betting companies.

The man, who launched the site in 2001, is seemingly successful, as the article claims he is believed to have pocketed around Euro 60 000 in commissions per month for his efforts.

Police said that it was the first arrest of its kind in Greece.

Locals are being drawn to foreign betting companies by better odds and the ability to bet in real time, while the sporting event is taking place.

The case has its roots in a Greek law that specifies that only state-controlled gaming company OPAP can accept wagers in Greece and that placing a bet with anyone else – even electronically – is illegal.

“The monopoly in set betting will continue to exist,” a senior source from the electronic crimes squad told eKathimerini.

“With the exception of England, all EU member states are in favour of a monopoly for financial reasons and for also helping to avoid criminal practices,” he added, interestingly prioritising the rationale behind the law.

The loss of tax and licensing revenues for the state has prompted the crackdown on offenders, eKathimerini continues, while OPAP is also seeing its market share shrink.

OPAP has started targeting newspapers and other forms of media that carry ads from British betting firms by launching litigation against the media.

A police source said yesterday that even Greek gamblers will be charged in a bid to cut demand for the betting services.

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa

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