International licensed companies: PokerStars, Bwin, Bet365

After the complete legalization of online gambling in 2021, Greece has become one of the most attractive jurisdictions for international operators. A new licensing system, transparent taxation (35% GGR) and a high level of regulation allowed EU countries and global brands to legally enter the Greek market.

Among them are PokerStars, Bwin and Bet365, the three largest operators that have become a symbol of trust and technological progress in the Greek iGaming sector.

1) Legal basis for market entry

Legalization of online gambling in Greece occurred after the amendment of Law 4002/2011 and the introduction of the permanent license system from the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP).

From 2021, international companies have the opportunity to apply for two types of licenses:

Type A - sports betting and virtual events;
Type B - casinos, slots, poker and live games.

All operators must:

store player data in the EU;
Comply with Responsible Gaming and AML
provide real-time reporting;
have legal representation in Greece.

PokerStars, Bwin and Bet365 fully met these conditions and became the flagships of the international presence in Greek online gambling.

2) PokerStars - online poker and innovation leader

Company: The Stars Group (now part of Flutter Entertainment).

EEEP license: Obtained in July 2021, both Type A and Type B categories.

Main products: PokerStars Casino, PokerStars Sports, PokerStars Live.

Features:

PokerStars became the first legal online poker operator in Greece.
The platform offers tournaments, cash games, Sit & Go, as well as live events with Greek qualifications on EPT (European Poker Tour).
The casino section includes more than 1,000 games from Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Evolution, Play 'n GO.
Actively promotes Responsible Gaming and collaborates with Greek NGOs.

Market Significance:

PokerStars has opened a new segment - poker tourism, attracting players from Europe and the Middle East. Athens and Thessaloniki became the points of the PokerStars Live qualifying series.

3) Bwin is a premium all-rounder

Company: Entain Group (British iGaming Corporation).

EEEP license: Issued in July 2021, both categories are Type A and Type B.

Activity: sports betting, casino, live games, eSports.

Key benefits:

More than 40 sports and thousands of live events daily.
Wide selection of slots and board games from leading providers: EGT, Playtech, Evolution, Novomatic.
Developed system of mobile rates and instant payments.
Branded program "Bwin Club" with cashback and exclusive promos for regular customers.
Support for Greek, local payment methods (Viva Wallet, Skrill, bank cards).

Social activity:

Bwin, the official sponsor of Olympiacos and a number of sporting events in Greece, invests in Responsible Gaming and anti-fraud technologies.

4) Bet365 - UK platform with worldwide influence

Founding: 2000, United Kingdom.

EEEP license: obtained in June 2021 (Type A and Type B).

Specialization: betting, casino, live games, virtual events.

Features:

Bet365 was one of the first international companies to start operating on a completely legal basis.
It differs in the speed of updating coefficients and innovative live-betting functions.
The platform offers integration with crypto payments, esports and live casinos from Evolution.
Bet365 is considered the benchmark for mobile gambling in Europe.

Market position:

The brand occupies a leading position in the sports betting segment and remains the preferred choice for professional bettors.
Bet365 provides a high level of data protection and strict compliance with GDPR and EEEP.

5) Competitive landscape and impact

The emergence of these three brands created a competitive ecosystem that accelerated the development of Greek online gambling:

Brand	Segment	Key advantage	Contribution to the market
PokerStars	Poker, casino	Poker leadership and innovation	Forming a poker community
Bwin	Betting, casino	High quality UX and localization	Promoting Sports and Responsible Gaming
Bet365	Live bets, analytics	Manufacturability and stability	Increasing transparency and player trust

These companies set high quality standards, improve service levels and encourage innovation among local operators.

6) Regulatory control and responsibility

All three brands operate under the strict supervision of EEEP and are required to integrate Responsible Gaming tools.

Players undergo KYC verification, and deposits and limits are automatically regulated.

Operators are required to block minors and provide self-exclusion functions.

Monthly reporting is carried out on GGR, transactions and bonus campaigns.

7) Economic importance

International operators brought to Greece:

tens of millions of euros of investment;
job creation in IT, marketing, support and outsourcing;
growing confidence in the Greek license among foreign investors;
integration of the country into the pan-European iGaming network.

8) Prospects to 2030

Growing number of international brands targeting the Greek market.

Expansion of the live segment and esports platforms.

Introduction of a single electronic wallet for licensed sites.

Potential new Flutter and Entain affiliates for regional development.

Strengthening Greece's status as a jurisdiction with a high level of trust and technological maturity.

PokerStars, Bwin and Bet365 symbolize the new era of Greek online gambling - legal, transparent and technological.

They proved that international companies are able not only to work according to local rules, but also to raise the standard of the entire industry, combining excitement, safety and innovation.

Through these brands, Greece has established itself as iGaming's regional hub in the Eastern Mediterranean, bringing together European values, digital infrastructure and global investment.