It does not seem like OPAP, the popular Greek gaming company, abandoned its intention to revitalize the gambling segment of the country by providing new, attractive gaming features to local players.
Company’s representatives announced that a new “Play” gaming hall network will be established with the aim of hosting the Video Lottery Terminals that are getting more and more popular.
The new game machines are believed to have a huge impact on the further development of the local gambling sector. They are also said to boost the economy and help the government deal with particular problematic issues such as the illegal gambling activities that pose a danger to players who engage in it.
According to the information released by OPAP’s officials, as many as 4,000 property owners have already expressed their interest in hosting the VLT’s.
Reportedly, a great number of people from all around Greece expressed their interest in taking the reigns of the gaming halls.
According to the details, which have been released so far, at least 500 of all betting agents of OPAP are about to apply for becoming the new managers of the gaming halls. Strange as it may seem, a few of those agents decided to provide their support to the trade union which is among the opponents of the process.
What made the union disapprove of the project was the fact that they required OPAP to adopt a completely different approach for it.
The agents’ union wanted the new VLT machines to be installed in the stores of the betting agents, while the OPAP officials want them established in different places that are well-attended and appealing to players.
The plan of OPAP is to open about 660 Play gaming halls and distribute 25 machines in each one of them, which would make more than 16,000 all around Greece.
Currently, the Agency is eligible for distributing 35,000 machines and the remaining ones will be given to certain subcontractors.
As already mentioned, the establishment of Play gaming halls is believed to have a positive effect on the local property market. In addition, the unemployment rate is to be reduced since 10,000 people have to be hired once the halls are fully functional.
However, the greatest benefit the Play halls will bring is the reduction of the illegal gambling activities on the territory of the country. According to the latest reports, the government loses more than €5 billion annually.
