BETTING BATTLE LOOMS IN GREECE
31 October 2008
Stanleybet opens two shops...and OPAP monopoly
threatens legal action
A Greek betting barney appears to be imminent
following a statement this week from UK-based fixed odds
gambling group Stanleybet International confirming that,
in defiance of the Greek monopoly on gambling held by
OPAP, it has opened up two betting shops in the country.
OPAP Chief Executive Christos Hadjiemmanuil was quick to
react, telling the Reuters news agency that this was the
first time that anyone had challenged his firm's
monopoly, and that he would be initiating legal action.
Stanleybet's mid-week statement revealed that it had
expanded into Greece by opening two stores, despite OPAP
claiming exclusive rights on sports betting and
lotteries in the country until 2020 under Greek law.
The company cited EU legislation in making its move,
saying: "According to articles 43-49 of the European
Charter, Stanleybet International has the right to offer
its services to the European Union member states, even
if a member state sets monopolistic barriers."
Hadjiemmanuil said that Stanleybet had requested a
licence to operate in Greece in 2005 but that a ruling
by the country's highest court, the Council of State,
was still pending and he was therefore certain that
Greece would protect OPAP rights.
OPAP operates some 5 500 outlets in Greece and Cyprus
which produced sales of Euro 5 billion last year.
Stanleybet currently offers sports bets, mainly on
soccer events, in Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Belgium,
Croatia, Romania and Poland through more than 1 500
outlets.
Online Casino News courtesy of
InfoPowa
More news here.
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