Greek Lotteries

There are three lotteries in Greece, including the Greek State Lottery, established in 1929, the Instant Lottery S.A., established in 1993; and the Greek Organization of Football Prognostics (OPAP), established in 1959.

OPAP is the largest lottery company in Greece and considered in the top five worldwide.

In 2000, OPAP acquired a 20-year exclusive right to operate some of the lottery and sports betting games. OPAP was given the sole concession to operate and manage the nine existing numerical lottery and sports betting games. OPAP was also given a right of first refusal to operate and manage any new lottery games permitted by the Greek Republic. Greece owns a little more than one-third share of OPAP.

Due to the crippling five-year recession and subsequent EU/IMF bailout, the HRADF was created in 2012 to take over the privatization process of Greek assets. In early 2013, the HRADF placed the rights of OPAP and the Greek Lotteries on the open market by launching an open, transparent and competitive two-stage auction.

The license covers the exclusive right to produce, operate, circulate, promote and manage the Greek lotteries, including all current and future draw-based and instant lotteries which are conducted offline using physical tickets. The lotteries include: the National Lottery, the Popular Lottery, the European Lottery, the Instant Scratch & Win Lottery, the Housing State Lottery, and the Special State Social Solidarity Lottery or New Year’s Lottery.

The license will be assigned to a société anonyme company registered in Greece to be set up by the successful bidder. The license period will be 12 years and will not be transferable.