Greece Pushes Operators to Act Early on EU AML Rules Ahead of 2027
The Hellenic Gaming Commission has urged supervised gambling operators to prepare for the EU’s new anti-money laundering framework, which will apply in stages from July 2027. The regulator has started workshops and briefings as the rules move into implementation, with a consultation window still open at EU level.
AMLA has moved into the technical phase. On 24 March 2026, it held a public hearing on two draft standards. One looks at how operators define business relationships, occasional transactions and linked activity. The other focuses on customer due diligence. Both consultations stay open until 8 May 2026, leaving limited time for operators to raise practical points before the rules are finalised.
The framework sits under Regulation (EU) 2024/1624, which comes into effect on 10 July 2027. Gambling is considered a high-risk sector. Member States can exclude some lower-risk services, but that does not apply to casinos or operators focused on online gambling or sports betting.
The rules change how checks are handled in practice. A €2,000 threshold applies to customer due diligence in gambling transactions. Operators will need to link and track transactions even before full identity verification is completed. That affects onboarding, transaction monitoring, and internal reporting.
The HGC is already treating this as a current compliance task. In its March update, it outlined plans for information sessions, workshops and presentations on the new AML/CFT framework. It is encouraging supervised operators to take part in the consultation process. The gap between final rules and implementation work is likely to be short.
TGJ Take
The consultation deadline on 8 May 2026 is the key operational milestone. Operators that take part now can still influence how transaction monitoring and due diligence rules are applied in practice. Those that wait for final text will face compressed timelines for system updates and staff training. Casinos and online sportsbook brands will carry the full compliance burden, with limited scope for exemptions. For compliance teams, this is an early budgeting and resource allocation decision, not a future regulatory task.
