OPAP stands firm over monopoly criticism
Greek operator insists any case brought by the European Commission should be faced by the Greek Government
Greek monopoly OPAP has defended its right to operate an online sportsbook despite growing criticism that it contravenes European law.
While a company spokesperson told eGaming Review this morning that the firm would not be commenting directly on the case, he stated OPAP firmly believes it has every right to launch online products.
Recent reports stated the European Commission has taken a dim view on this month’s launch of the GTECH-powered sports betting platform, with OPAP supposedly granted the right to operate one in the country exclusively.
The launch is OPAP’s first online product, however it attracted criticism after the Greek Gambling Commission published the rules of conduct for the launch just a few days before the product went live.
Reports at the time suggested other operators were said to be considering legal action, arguing that a failure to initiate a three-month standstill period prior to the launch contravened procedures mandated by European Union directives.
According to the spokesperson however, OPAP regards the issuance of an exclusive right to operate in the country, purchased by the operator from the Greek Government in 2000, to include the right to offer products via “any appropriate means or measures provided by modern technology”.
This right was originally purchased until 2020, but OPAP signed a new deal last year to extend this exclusive right for a further 10 years in exchange for a one-off payment of 375m and 5% of gross gaming revenue throughout the period.
And OPAP insists any case against the issue of that exclusive right should be levied against the Greek Government, rather than the operator.
OPAP’s monopoly has a history of legal challenges, with William Hill and Betfair both launching legal proceedings last year after their own license applications went unread by the Hellenic Gaming Commission.
The country’s gaming law was amended earlier this year following a visit from European commissioner for competition Juaquin Almunia, with explicit references to an online monopoly for sports betting removed from the Bill.