Greek authorities have raided a sports betting outlet in central Athens belonging to Britain’s Stanleybet, only a week after it began to operate in a challenge to the Greek state-owned gaming monopoly, known as OPAP. The decision is likely to reignite argument about lack of access for private gaming companies that want to provide sports betting services in several European Union markets where lucrative monopolies exist.

Reportedly, the already known fact that the E.U. is currently investigating Greece’s gaming practices (among those of other member countries), possibly creates some scepticism as regards OPAP’s already stated potential interest in acquiring a 49% stake in casino Mont Parnes (located in the Athens greater area) once this is set for privatisation.