Public Protest in Greece

Public Protest in Greece

„Yes to entertainment, no to illegal gambling" was the motto with which many people took to the streets of Greek Thessaloniki in mid-June to draw attention to the imminent ban of all types of electronic entertainment terminals.

Photo Play and other suppliers had set up over 100 Photo Play- and entertainment terminals in the Greek metropolis's centre, allowing people to play for free. Only a few
hours later Greek internet providers had 400 PC's with free internet access set up in Thessaloniki.

The media's interest was also attracted by the street announcements before the Greek parliament in Athens on 18th June. Participants from all over Greece had come. Representatives of games terminal industrialists' and employees' umbrella organisations were able to speak before the parliament's economic committee to voice their concern, the change of the entertainment games terminal draft.

Because of funworld's urgent enquiry and the Austrian economic association's intervention, Josef Öhlinger, funworld's chairman, JVH-Hellas manager, Nikos Serdaris, and Austrian trade representative, Dr. Maria Magdalena Schnitzhofer, had had a personal meeting with Apostolos Fotiadis, who is responsible state secretary at the Greek economic and financial ministry. During this meeting, several inconsistencies concerning European law which were found in the bill, were discussed. funworld is currently preparing a document to be submitted to the EU.

Article 2 of the draft intends a complete ban of the installation and carrying out of games: „1. The carrying out or the installation of any game, regardless of its name or the type of game, every kind of electronic, electric or electro-mechanical device, including computers, is generally forbidden in all public areas (hotels, cafés, acknowledged associations' premises) and in all other rooms."

Funworld estimate 1.5 million Greek Photo Play players would also be affected by this ban.