Following months of investigations, Greek authorities dismantled a large ring of public servants reportedly engaged in a widespread money laundering operation via betting companies.

According to reports, the Greek anti-corruption unit for money laundering identified two hundred individuals, including heads of ministries, who were allegedly placing bets ranging from €100 to as much as €1 million.

The authorities reportedly identified the suspects after finding inconsistencies in their income by cross-referencing their tax statements with the sums they wagered at selected gambling companies.

Among those identified are senior public officials, including ministry directors and heads of state agencies, who were unable to justify the funds they wagered with the gambling companies based on their declared income. Investigators found that the money involved was of unknown origin. The sums were first deposited into betting accounts and later transferred to personal bank accounts.

The investigation revealed that money laundering was carried out through gambling companies that used shop owners as agents and collectors—individuals with no connection to the financial sector or the gaming industry. Players handed over cash of unknown origin to the agents, who deposited the funds into betting accounts. From there, the money was transferred into personal bank accounts, giving it the appearance of legitimacy.

Customers first opened accounts with licensed online gambling companies and received a unique code linked to their account. Using this code, they could deposit money directly. They then visited the affiliated shops, where they handed over cash that was credited to their gaming accounts.

At the player’s instruction, the remaining balance—which included funds of unverified origin—was transferred into their legally declared bank accounts. This process effectively laundered the cash deposits, disguising the suspicious funds as legitimate gambling proceeds.