About us - corporate.opap.gr
About Us
Introduction
OPAP is the leading gaming company in Greece and one of the most renowned in its industry worldwide. The company, founded in 1958 as the country's national lottery and listed in the Athens Exchange in 2001, is the exclusive licensed operator of all numerical lotteries (7 games), sports betting (4 games) and horse racing. It also operates exclusively, as a controlling shareholder (67%) through a joint venture, the passive lotteries and instant (scratch) games in Greece.
Ownership status
Since the Initial Public Offering (IPO) there was a series of secondary offerings in 2002, 2003 and 2005 when the Hellenic Republic gradually reduced its participation to the Company's share capital. Finally, since Q4 2013 the company, through an international tender, became fully privatized, a fact that provided the momentum needed to ensure its future development and competitiveness on an international level.
Network
Our games are provided through the widest network of points of sale in Greece (more than 4,000), which are dedicated and branded agencies distributing exclusively OPAP's products. These agencies act as commercial representatives and are compensated on a performance commission basis. Additionally to the agencies network, the distribution of Instant and Passive Lotteries is extended further via alternative 3,800 POS (kiosks, street vendors, etc.).
Licenses
Our core games exclusive license expires in 2030, the Scratch tickets and Passives license in 2026 and the Horse Racing license in 2036. Additionally, the exclusive license to operate 25,000 video lottery terminals (VLTs) in Greece expires in 2035. The company also operates in Cyprus, while it has expanded its operations via on-line offering.
Responsible Company
OPAP is the largest social contributor in Greece operating under the World Lottery Associations (WLA) and responsible gaming standards, while it transforms its business excellence into social contribution through an integrated corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy.
Legal Framework & Policies
- HGC Regulation
- Payment of winnings
- Policy on granting Winnings Certificates
- Policy on the Prevention of the Use of OPAP Gaming Products for the Purpose of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing
Read the Regulation
Payment of winnings
- Gross winnings before taxes amounting up to €999,99 per slip shall be paid to the Player and winning slip bearer exclusively in cash via the Company's Agents’ land-based network.
- Gross winnings before taxes ranging from €1.000 to €1.999,99 per slip shall be paid to the Player and bearer of the winning slip, either in cash or via OPAP Agents’ land-based network or upon said Player’s request, on the condition of their being verified by the Agent (by presenting an ID, a passport or any other equivalent foreign document) via the Company's cooperating Payment Services Providers (currently, the National Bank of Greece, Piraeus Bank, and Eurobank S.A.). In connection with the 2nd alternative in particular, the Agent contacted by the Player shall issue and deliver to them (the Player) a payment order stating their ID particulars, which the Player shall present to any of the foregoing Payment Services Providers.
- Gross revenues before taxes ranging from €2.000 to €99.999,99 per slip shall be paid to the Player and slip bearer exclusively via the Company's cooperating Payment Services Providers, pursuant to the procedure set out in the foregoing paragraph 2.
- Gross revenues before taxes amounting to €100.000 and more per slip shall be paid on the strict condition of the Player and winning slip bearer’s physical presence at OPAP’s headquarters in Athens. In such a case the Player shall submit all the documents and particulars requested by the Company and the competent personnel thereof. Upon completion of the procedure, the Company shall also in this case, as a rule, issue and deliver a payment order to the Player stating their ID particulars, which the Player shall present to any of the cooperating Payment Services Providers (currently, the National Bank of Greece, Piraeus Bank, and Eurobank S.A.).