Greece seeking to attract international investors with casino tax reform

The Greek government is considering tax reform on casino gambling in a bid to make its national market more attractive to foreign companies.

Greek news source Ekathimerini reported that the government, currently led by the Syriza Party, may move to present new legislation to the Economic Ministry aimed at luring investment into the debt-ridden country.

Ministers may table a consultation reviewing Greece’s current gambling “turnover tax” set at 30-37 percent dependent on gaming vertical, which Syriza may move to reduce on slots and table gaming.

A revamp of the casino sector could also boost the county’s already-growing number of tourists, projected to reach 30 million by 2018.

Since winning the 2015 Greek General Election, the Syriza Party have earmarked major reforms to gambling in order to create much-needed tax revenues. The country is still reeling from a government-debt crisis that began in 2009.

Meanwhile, the government has allowed for a new tender to create a new Casino resort on the site of its former Elliniko international airport outside of Athens.