European Commission rejects Greek gaming law

On 22 July, the European Commission announced legal steps against the
government of Greece for it’s unjust anti-gaming law. The Commission
questions the compatibility of the law in question (of 29 July 2002) with
the provisions of the EC Treaty on the free movement of goods and services
and the freedom of establishment.

The Greek law puts a general ban on computer games, without any distinction
between slot machines and computer-games, thus making it totally impossible
to provide and supply electronic games equipment and programs or to perform
related activities (for example, the installation, repair and maintenance
of such equipment and programs).

According to the Commission, the law “could be disproportionate, insofar as
it tends to encompass, on the one hand, equipment (slot machines) and games
of chance which might give rise to social concerns and, on the other, games
of an entirely different nature which are not, in themselves, a source of
particular disquiet with regard to public order or consumer protection.”

Earlier, this same law was declared unconstitutional by a judge, and
charges against three people were dismissed. All three of them were
operating or working for internetcafe’s.

Announcement European Commission (22.07.2003)
http://www.europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/03/1062|0|RAPID&lg=EN&display=

Greek gaming law defeated in court (11.09.2002)
http://news.com.com/2100-1040-957519.html