Officers raid betting shop
State gaming company OPAP showed yesterday just how determined it is to retain its monopoly on the gambling market in Greece, as police raided the Athens premises of a UK-based sports betting group, Stanleybet, following complaints by the Greek company. OPAP alleged that Stanleybet set up two betting shops, in Athens and Thessaloniki, illegally, as it had no license to do so. Under Greek law, OPAP is the only gaming company allowed to accept bets. Police arrested two people in the Athens shop – the manager and a 20-year-old student who was placing a bet. The latter was released after questioning. Officers also confiscated more than 5,000 euros in cash and office equipment. Stanleybet, which has more than 1,400 outlets, says it has a legal right to provide its services in the European Union. It cites EU law and rulings by the European Court of Justice.
