Reinforced in relation to 2020 is estimated to be the total gross income of gambling in 2021, according to the initial estimates of the Gambling Supervision and Control Committee (GSC), as presented yesterday by the chairman of the committee Dimitris Nzanatos, during her briefing. Special Standing Committee on Institutions and Transparency.
More specifically, according to the initial estimates (including the final data in the report of the EEEP that is expected to be released at the end of March) the total gross income (GGR), ie the income of the companies minus the profits and the rewards of the players, in 2021 they increased by 10.6% compared to 2020, reaching approximately 1.7 billion euros. However, they remain lower than in 2019, when they were set at 2.2 billion euros.
Total gambling (TGR) turnover amounted to € 18.7 billion last year compared to € 16 billion in 2020. It is worth noting that this amount also includes winnings that have been replayed. Public rights from all terrestrial and online games in 2021 amounted to 516.2 million euros.
Dominance of online
For another year, there was a shift in online gambling (betting and casino games), as the gross income (GGR) of companies operating legally in Greece, in the whole year is estimated at 718 million euros, increased by about 22% compared to in 2020 which had reached 588 million euros. Respectively, the total turnover of the internet companies is estimated at around 14 billion euros.
Thus, the frantic course recorded by the internet companies continues as their annual turnover has more than quadrupled compared to 2015, when it was set at 3 billion euros. Respectively, the annual gross income of 2021 is six times that of 2015, which had reached 123.1 million euros.
In land games, GGR is estimated at 1.05 billion euros, recording a marginal increase of 2% from 1.03 billion euros in 2020. However, compared to 2019, when there were no restrictive measures due to the coronavirus, the decrease reaches 71%, as they had reached 1.79 million euros. The course of ground games (OPAP agencies, lotteries, horse racing) has been steadily declining in recent years.
Speaking to the Parliamentary Committee, Mr. Dzanatos underlined that from 2009 to 2021, the effects of the crisis, the technological transition and the pandemic in the field of games are becoming apparent. According to the data presented by the president of EEEP, the total turnover of gambling increased by 115% from 2009 to 2021 mainly due to online games.
In land games, revenues decreased in 2021, compared to 2009, by 47%, ie from 8.7 billion euros to 4.6 billion euros. During the same period, casino and racecourse turnover shrank by 72% and 91%, to € 792 million and € 22.4 million respectively. From 2009 to 2021, the GGR of OPAP agencies fell by 50%, with the total gross revenues from ground games of the group amounting to 865.7 million euros from 1.7 billion euros.
The goals for 2022
Taking stock of 2021, Mr. Dzanatos stated that EEEP proceeded to the licensing of 15 online gaming providers, while proceeding with the final award of the tender to Elliniko Casino and approved the transfer to Parnitha Casino in Maroussi.
For this year, one of the main goals of EEEP is to bring order to the casino market and especially to the troubled ones. “Casinos have been severely damaged by technology) and have accelerated due to the pandemic. Of the 10 casinos, five are in trouble in Loutraki, Thrace, Rio, Corfu and Syros. In order for businesses to consolidate, to find investors or to create other solutions, such as legislative ones “, said the president of EEEP.
For the Agencies, Mr. Dzanatos aims at intervention policies to enhance traffic after the pandemic as well as the elaboration of proposals for the viability of the agencies in conjunction with developments in the gaming industry.
The president of EEEP made a special reference to personnel issues, emphasizing that out of 173 people in 2014 at the end of 2021, about 40 had remained in the Authority. In fact, he stated that on 1.1.2021 all the employees were seconded in a state of uncertainty, however with amendments that were approved those who remained now fill organic positions and the way is open for new recruitments.
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Source: Capital
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