OPAP to appeal Greek licence revocation
Operator contests ruling over disclosures made during privatisation process
Greek operator OPAP has confirmed it will appeal a decision by the Greek Council of State to remove its sports betting licence.
It follows notice of the revocation of the licence last week, after a successful legal challenge by Austrian operator Goalbet.
OPAP claims the decision is “in direct contrast” to a series of past actions by the Greek state, in particular the provision of information to investors participating in OPAP’s privatisation, which took place in in 2013.
OPAP cited specific information provided to investors regarding its licence and claims made concerning its right to offer online fixed-odds sports betting until 2020, which was confirmed by the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) in 2014.
Under Greek law, operators are required to submit a tender for a permanent licence to operate sports betting but OPAP has never done so thanks to a directive from the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) issued in 2014, that made OPAP exempt from the process.
At the time the HGC cited the presence of the firm’s pre-existing licences as negating the need to do so. However, the Council of State ruled that in not submitting a tender document to receive this licence, they had in fact violated Greek gambling law 4002/2011. In addition, judges concluded that the absence of current legislation concerning sports betting prevents OPAP from reapplying for a sports betting licence. New legislation concerning sports betting is currently being reviewed by the European Commission.
OPAP has publicly downplayed the importance of online betting to its overall group revenues, claiming that it contributes only 1% of its bottom line. It has said that it is already in contact with “competent bodies” including the HGC regarding appropriate actions in this instance.
In a statement, OPAP also said: “The company is also evaluating how to pursue the protection of its interests by all legal means.”