In Greece, the Regency Casino Mont Parnes has filed a motion with the nation’s highest administrative court, the Council Of State, seeking an injunction on a decision from the Hellenic Gaming Commission to introduce 35,000 new video lottery terminals throughout the country.
In its suit, the suburban Athens casino stated that the move would violate Greek and European Union laws and also create “gambling playgrounds” with the video lottery terminals pushing people towards gambling. The motion additionally alleges that the rollout would breach a 2011 law that was designed to protect consumers, minors and vulnerable groups as well as create direct competition to its operations.
Owned by the local firm Regency Entertainment, Regency Casino Mont Parnes currently offers 708 slot-like machines alongside around 78 gaming tables featuring blackjack, punto banco, roulette, and stud poker. The approximately 3,229 sq ft facility located some 23 miles from the center of the Greek capital moreover has twelve tables for Texas hold‘em and Omaha while additionally hosting cash games and tournaments.
The Hellenic Gaming Commission announced plans on October 25 that would see it site some 18,500 video lottery terminals in major towns and residential districts including tourist and recreational areas while a further 16,500 would be operated as part of the retail network of the Greek Organisation Of Football Prognostics (OPAP). If introduced, the first tranche are to be granted extended operating hours that could be unlimited during public holidays without limitations on the amount of time players can spend at a machine.