Today our tour of the best casinos in Europe to continue in the country resort on the Mediterranean coast with a rich history. This country is famous for the first Olympic Games, unrivaled cuisine and its philosophers. So, CasinoToplists sent to Greece!

Summary of the article:

Ancient Greece

Gambling in Greece has a long history that dates back to antiquity. The ancient Greeks were passionate players and believed in the divine origin of the games. For example, in Greek mythology, there is a legend that after the victory over the Titans, Zeus and his brothers Poseidon and Hades cast lots to decide who gets one or the other part of the world. Zeus won the Olympus, Poseidon – the ocean, and Hades – the underworld. This distribution of posts is not so important, more interesting by the fact that the power of the world was played using the bones.
An interesting legend that explains the origin of gambling and casinos. Once Tycho, the goddess of fortune, was walking in the shady groves of Olympus, where Zeus (then a young playboy and the libertine) had seduced her. From this union was born a girl – an unusual child, only to find pleasure in inventing different games where the outcome is only decided case. She happily gazed at the quarrel that arose between the players and urged frustrated losers commit suicide. Indulging her cruel daughter, quietly gave her the houses, at the threshold of which, enticing passers-by, burned unfading light.

Besides mythology mention gambling and real historical figures. Thus, in the “Odyssey,” Homer tells the story of how screamers offered the dice, to entertain Greek soldiers, bored waiting for the siege of Troy. A Greek historian Plutarch mentions a Persian queen Parisatis, who was a passionate fan of the game of dice.

Craps was brought to Greece from Asia and was popular among all social strata. There are special places – casinos progenitors destined for organized games. However, the majority of Greek lawmakers referred to gambling is frowned upon, considering this kind of entertainment as a challenge to public morals, undermining the foundations of statehood. A punishment for incorrigible players, regardless of their social position, served as slaves.

Legal regulation

Modern Greece has created the conditions for tourism, gambling-related, as well as regulates gemblingovy market through the competent authorities. Greece’s attitude to gambling is very strict, government policy is aimed at to try to prevent people from gambling. According to Greek law, play gambling is only allowed inside a casino. All types of betting and gambling outside casinos is strictly prohibited, for violation of the local legislation provides for niaganis liability.

The first casino in Greece was established in 1928 in Loutraki area, only the currently running 9 legal casinos in the country. operation of casinos in Greece regulates Gambling Commission, which was established December 20, 2011. In October 2013 it was determined the scope of its activities: licensing, supervision and control of land-based casinos in the country. The Committee consists of eight members and a chairman, who is elected for a term of five years. The first licenses were issued in 1994, the three casinos: Casino Mont Parnes, Casino Korfu and Casino Rodos. In Greece, there is no monopoly: all the casinos in the hands of a few operators. The biggest of them is the Regency Casino, which includes the Casino Mont Parnes casino in Thessaloniki.

In 2002, the Greek government passed a controversial law 3037/2002, which prohibits the game in all electronic games in public places. This tough law was repealed only in August 2011. The new law sets out the principles of responsible gaming and introduces the so-called individual “player cards” that are needed to be able to legally gamble in Greece. To be able to play in a casino, the Greeks have reached the age of 21 years.

Where, when and what to play in the Greek casino?

Currently, Greece operates nine licensed casinos. They are located on the mainland and the Greek islands of Rhodes, Syros and Corfu. Most casinos are open from Monday to Sunday and is staffed 24 hours a day. They are all popular games such as roulette, blackjack, video poker, Punto Blanco, Baccarat and slot machines. Also hosts poker tournaments. The dress code in most Greek casinos – smart casual, but do not try to go inside in beachwear.

1. Club Hotel Casino Loutraki

Casino Loutraki – Greece’s first casino. It is located at the eponymous hotel complex in the resort of Loutraki-Agioi Theodoroi. This is one of the largest casinos in Europe, which also boasts a spa and conference facilities. In addition, players can play in their free time to enjoy the sights of the area, such as the Corinth Canal, the Ethnographic Museum and the Temple of Apollo, Corinth.

2. Regency Casino Thessaloniki

This is the most popular casinos in Greece is located in the city of Thessaloniki, the “northern capital” of Greece, and since 1996. It is located near the airport of Macedonia and is a 20-minute drive from the key places of the city. The casino building is admired for its rich decoration. The casino offers 893 slot machines and 66 tables for board games. There is also a private room for the High Rollers Club Regency, which has 18 slot machines and 14 tables for board games.

3rd Casino Rhodes

Rhodes Casino is famous for its unique ancient architecture and interior design. It fully reflects the atmosphere in the old town center and located on the territory of a luxury hotel Grande Albergo delle Rose boutique hotel. It has everything to entertain players: slot machines, many poker tables, roulette and other games. The casino operates a dress code: 19.00 allowed accurate and indoor clothing, and after 19.00 – only evening dress, suit or tuxedo.

4. Kerkira Casino

In Corfu, the capital of Corfu island, operates one of the first casinos in Greece, and in 1962 it was the first casino in Greece, returning to the roulette wheel. Now it is located in the entertainment center of Corfu Holiday Palace, and until the late 80-ties of the 20th century was located in the palace of Empress Elizabeth of Austria-Hungary, the legendary Princess Sissi. Restaurant is open from 20.00 to 03.00 for visitors over 23 years.

5. Hotel Casino Xanthi

This casino is located in the forest area of ​​Lefkos Pyrgos, in the north-western part of Xanthi.

The architecture of the two-storey building (2200 sqm) is in harmony with the grandeur of towering trees that surround it, creating a unique space fascinates visitors from the first moment. The Greeks joke that this is the only casino that works on the state – because the rest are private or privatized gambling establishments. In the casino you can play American roulette, blackjack, stud poker and slot machines.

6. Casino Porto Carras

The first private casino in Greece Porto Carras is located in the premises of Sithonia Hotel Porto Carras, which is a real gem of Halkidiki. There is a 425 slot machines, roulette tables 17, 13 blackjack tables 5 and poker tables. Furthermore, there is a VIP room for high roller, wherein there are three tables for blackjack, roulette tables 5 and 1 poker table. The interior has been carefully designed in authentic style of New Orleans, there is a snack bar and bar.

7. Porto Rio Hotel & Casino

This casino operates in a certain hotel, just 10 minutes drive from the center of Patra. The complex is located on a beautiful beach in Rio, in the lush green gardens on an area of ​​35,000 square meters, in front of the Venetian castle. Casino Rio offers classic table games such as blackjack and roulette, 279 slot machines and poker fans are waiting tables for Texas Holdem Poker. Visitors can play slot machines at any time of the day or night, because they are the casino is open 24 hours a day.

8. Casino Syros

Casino is located in the town of Syros Ermoupoli. This is a relatively new casino – it began to work only in April 1997. However, it is a former hotel “Europe”, built in 1830. The building was restored with reverence, his historical and Cycladic elements, and now it is a real gem. Casino Syros has 26 tables for the most popular games: roulette, blackjack and stud poker, as well as 185 slot machines.

9. Regency Casino Mont Parnes

Regency Mont Parnes Casino Resort is located in the town of Mont Parnes, at a distance of only 17 kilometers from the center of Athens. This casino and hotel complex located in one of the most exclusive and idyllic places Attica basin, it has more than forty-year history. In fact, it was the first casino, which opened in Greece. Recently, this complex was purchased by a group of Regency Entertainment SA, which held a number of improvements and renovations, and has expanded to a total area of ​​18,000 square. Currently, it is the casino of the highest international standards. There are 16 blackjack tables, roulette table 32, the table 2 for Punto Banco and poker table 2, and more than 700 slots. Customers casino and hotel complex can also relax and enjoy the services of a fitness club Club Olympus. Besides,

Internet gambling

Although Greek law does not prohibit gambling operators to obtain licenses for online casinos operating in Greece, but the monopoly on online gambling there is a group of OPAP. However, Greece, players can use a variety of proposals of foreign operators, which localize your site for Greek users. Currently, there are 118 online casinos that offer the game in English or Greek and accept rates in euros or dollars US .

In 2002, the Greek government passed a law strictly prohibits all forms of electronic games. However, the provisions of this law have been softened by the Act of 2011, which allows the licensing of operators of gambling online games . But in fact, a monopoly on the provision of online games until 2030 owned by the Greek state gambling company OPAP. Nevertheless, in 2013 the European Court ruled that the monopoly granted to OPAP, is incompatible with European Union law. Thus, the law in Greece should be changed in accordance with the requirements of the European Union, Greece will be forced to open its market to competition from other companies.

Interesting Facts

The rich history of the casino of Rhodes

Rhodes Casino is a very popular and impressive casino in Greece. Long before the building started to work a casino, here flourished hotel opened yet May 24, 1927. This lived a number of prominent personalities from around the world, such as Winston Churchill, Aristotle Onassis and George Papandreou. The hotel has seen many historical events, such as the signing of the State of Israel was founded in 1948.

Casino Loutraki recognized as the most environmentally friendly

In 2013, the Club Hotel Casino Loutraki was awarded the International Prize of the Foundation for Environmental Education “Green Key in 2013” for his active participation in environmental protection. Casino was awarded for the development of an action plan for the continuous improvement of the environment in their institution. The measures taken are aimed at reducing water consumption, efficient use of waste products, cleaning products, distribution to employees and visitors about the protection of the information environment.

Location Greece, and a brief historical background

Greece is not casual is called “the cradle of Western civilization” – here 3,000 years BC, there was the first civilization on the island of Crete, called the Minoan. On the whole, Greek history familiar to us even from school textbooks of history – that stories about the polis of Sparta and Athens, this gladiator fights, this is an unfortunate confrontation between the Roman Empire and dependent on it from 146 AD

What is modern Greece? Now it is a famous resort. Since 1924, Greece became a parliamentary republic, and in 2002 became the official currency of the euro. Greece consists of 13 peripheries (regions), consisting of 51 nom (analogues of Russian provinces). Almost 98% of the population – Orthodox Christians, and favorite holiday – Easter.

Casinos and Gambling in Greece

The fact that Greece receives the main income from tourism affected the government’s attitude to gambling. The first casino was opened in 1928 next to the Loutraki (this is a very popular spa resort of the country). The quality of the services provided are of the highest international level, and from an assortment of games and glitter decoration of halls of visitors begins a state of euphoria.

Not less popular among tourists enjoy the casino in Thessaloniki, entitled «Regency». It is the largest and includes in addition to the entire casino complex of 3 smart restaurants, bars, and even its own theater building.

A few kilometers from Athens, a casino «Mont Parnes». It is situated on Mount Parnassus, and you can get there only by a cable car. Works is a picturesque casino every day except Wednesday. You will need to have a passport and observe Dress-code – sports and casual clothing is not welcome.

Lovers of excitement and outdoor activities attract Siroe option on the island in Ermoupoli. Here, in addition to the 3 luxurious gaming rooms located in buildings of the 19th century, you can enjoy an unforgettable trip on a boat and a walk in the underground gallery.

The largest company engaged in the organization of gambling in Greece, called a stole.

Online games in Greece

As we mentioned earlier, the country’s biggest monopolist – is an organization stole. It was she who currently controls the lion’s share of online gambling. Remote Gambling Association RGA this situation understandably do not like, but local while not really want to let into their territory European poker rooms.

Here you can play online casino , but only at authorized sites. Greece makes all that money did not flow away from the country. Therefore, the usual casino operators will have to give up vacation time, but there is a chance to try local flavor and still be 100% sure of the guarantee of payment of the winnings.

Athens attractions

Athens simply abound with all kinds of attractions.

1. Acropolis . It includes 4 buildings: the main entrance (propylene), a temple in honor of the patroness of Athens, the Parthenon, a temple in honor of the Goddess of Victory, and the Erechtheum Palace in honor of Poseidon and Athena. The majesty of the buildings is fascinating and impressive, on seeing the sights will take at least 4-5 hours.
2. Temple of Zeus . Location: near the Acropolis and Syntagma, the main city square. At the moment, the once majestic temple remained only ruins. But I must say no less majestic and certainly required for viewing.
3. Children’s Museum . Address: Kydathenaeon, 14; Plaka. Since 1987 the museum composition pleases adults who are tired of seeing the ancient ruins and statues and columns, of course, the young visitors. There is always something going on: all kinds of workshops, exhibitions and performances.
4. Museum of the History of Greek Costume . Address: 7, Dimokritou. The museum’s collection of more than 250,000 items of clothing from all eras. Everyone who is interested in fashion will be interesting to see the Greek style of development.
5. Military Museum of Greece . Address: crossroads Vassilissis Sophias Av. and Rizari, 2. Greece as we all know is famous for its military affairs. Here you can find all that relates to military affairs, from cards and uniforms to historical uniforms.

Interesting facts about Greece and Greeks

• Favorite drink -Coffee. It is drunk in all kinds of variants literally liters, but the tea is not respected;
• Favorite food of Greek souvlaki, small kebabs on skewers thin, usually pork;
• More than 250 days of sunshine per year, there are many solar panels on the roofs of houses;
• To the sea is no more than 136 km, and from anywhere in the country;
• By the number of divorces Greece ranks last in the European Union;
• To be a teacher or a doctor, but in general all budget profession is very prestigious and well paid;
• “Ne” is Greek for our “yes”;
• In school, learn 2 languages, among them English is mandatory;
• The Greeks are very religious – each day at school before classes read a prayer, a favorite holiday – Easter.
• Rhodes is famous staging post for a million butterflies that flock here every year

Greece on the map of Europe