Greece launches national strategy to tackle gambling addiction amid rising teen participation

Greek regulators have launched a new coordinated strategy to combat gambling addiction, formalized through a three-year Memorandum of Cooperation signed by the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) and the Health Quality Assurance Organisation (OHQA).

The agreement aims to promote responsible gambling and expand support for those affected by gambling-related harm, including individuals and their families.

The memorandum sets out plans for joint initiatives focused on prevention, early intervention, and treatment. A coordination committee will be formed to oversee implementation, with a focus on streamlining efforts, avoiding administrative delays, and applying scientifically supported methods of care.

Christos Nestoras, CEO of OHQA, said: “The Memorandum of Understanding aims to deepen cooperation with the Hellenic Gaming Commission. The formation of a modern and functional framework based on scientific documentation, respect for citizens and practical support for those in need is a common goal of our bodies."

HGC President Dimitris Ntzanatos added: “It is with great satisfaction that we inaugurate our new collaboration with ODIPY and we are delighted that we will be given the opportunity to achieve, through our coordination, the utilisation of know-how and the avoidance of bureaucratic obstacles, effective solutions to a problem with significant social and economic impacts."

The cooperation follows recent data that underscores the urgency of addressing problem gambling in Greece. A study by the Mental Health Research Institute (EPIPSY) found that 36% of first-year high school students reported gambling for money in 2024, well above the European Union average of 23%. Alarmingly, 7% of teenagers in Greece are already exhibiting early signs of gambling addiction.

In addition to problem gambling, the EPIPSY study pointed to broader trends of risky behavior among Greek youth. It found that 92% of students reported easy access to alcohol, while the use of e-cigarettes among 16-year-olds rose from 43% in 2019 to 54% in 2024. Cannabis accessibility was also reported to be widespread. 

In parallel, the HGC is moving forward with the creation of a new Gambling Observatory. Designed to apply advanced technologies such as Big Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, the observatory will serve both research and advisory roles. It will also function as a public information hub, offering data access to institutions and citizens while flagging emerging risks tied to gambling behavior.

An HGC spokesperson described the planned observatory as “a pioneering approach at an international level,” noting that “independence, objectivity and flexibility will be the fundamental characteristics of its operation, ensuring the credibility and effectiveness of its interventions.”